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Direction-of-travel diagram for the squat pattern. Photography for the Shrimp Squat is not shot yet.
CalisthenicsIn review

Shrimp Squat

A one-leg squat that holds the back foot in one hand and lowers until the back knee touches a mat.

This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.

Pattern
Squat
Modality
Calisthenics
Difficulty
Advanced
Mechanic
Unknown
Force
Unknown
Laterality
Unilateral
Impact
Low
Trains where
Gym, Home
At home
Yes

How to do it

Set up

  1. Stand on one leg and bend the other knee so the foot lifts behind you.
  2. Hold that foot with the hand on the same side and reach the other arm forward.

Do the rep

  1. Lean the chest forward and bend the standing leg.
  2. Lower until the back knee touches the mat lightly.
  3. Push through the whole standing foot and stand up tall.

What counts as a rep

A rep counts when the back knee touches the mat lightly and you return to a full stand while you still hold the back foot.

One rep starts standing on one leg with the back foot held behind you, lowers until the back knee touches the mat, and ends at a full stand on the front leg; count each side.

Breathing

Breathe in as you lower; exhale as you stand.

Cues

  • Chest forward, free arm forward.
  • Touch the knee down softly.
  • Keep the front heel down.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping onto the back knee

    What you seeThe back knee hits the mat hard or rests on it at the bottom.

    FixLower more slowly and touch the mat lightly.

    A soft touch protects the knee and keeps the front leg working.

  • Letting go of the foot

    What you seeThe hand lets go of the back foot to help you stand.

    FixUse the assisted shrimp squat until you can stand up while you hold the foot.

    Holding the foot keeps the full load on the front leg.

Stop the set if

  • Stop if you feel sharp pain in either knee.
  • Stop if you lose balance.
  • End the set when you cannot stand up without the back foot touching the floor.

General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.

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