Squat / Knee-dominant

Banded Squat

Quadsglutesadductorscore Strength/neural
i.

How to Do It

Stand on a band, feet shoulder-width, holding the other end at shoulder height (or looped over shoulders). Brace and squat to parallel, knees tracking over the toes, then drive up against the band. Keep the chest tall and heels down throughout; the band makes the top hardest.

ii.

Why It Works

Provides accommodating resistance that increases as you stand, overloading the lockout where leverage is best, while training the squat pattern and forceful hip/knee extension against rising tension.

iii.

Hockey Transfer

Reinforces the squat-to-stand drive that mirrors stride extension, with the band’s top-end overload building the forceful finish of a push-off; a joint-friendly way to train extension power.

iv.

Coaching Cues

  • "Knees out, heels down"
  • "explode against the band"
  • "tall chest"
v.

Common Mistakes

Knees caving; heels lifting; letting the band yank you down (losing control)

vi.

Progression / Regression

Progression

heavier band or faster concentric

Regression

lighter band or bodyweight squat

vii.

Primary Muscles

Quadsglutesadductorscore
viii.

Energy System

Strength/neural

Ready to train?

Put it to work
on the ice.

This exercise is part of a fully periodized 12-week off-ice program — built by a sport scientist who coaches at the national level.

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