Despite just recently squatting and starting out with almost a 30''svj, my SVJ has gone up 4'' with about 40+lbs increase in squat. Once I get to 315 with this style I can comment again. THis has to do with specificity of the squat.
Interesting point about the amygdalae. And I very well do understand their purpose and deal with it in every single debate I am in since most people cannot think rationally under stress. But still steven you are not providing a rebuttal, you are playing the "go do your own research you fool" card. If you provide the adequate rebuttal with say a few quotes or so it would take care of the argument itself. I don't have too much interest in rippetoe, nor do I need to learn to squat properly. I'm trainig for vertical jumping and speed, not to squat more weight. I only mildly appreciate his amygdala-infused inspirational quotes people base their training on. Surely the 'proper' way to squat may be to go back on your heels, but not for athletic enhancement.
You don't have to do a calf-raise at the top of the squat in order to squat heel-to-toe. What's most important is that you don't go backwards on your heels. The point is that in a jump, you accelerate constantly (technically speaking you always accelerate due to gravity.. and it's always downwards..) If you do that in the squat, it could help you jump higher than going back on the heels. I'll post a video of myself soon making this distinction next time as soon as I get the chance to with weights. I suppose this is very similar to the argument, should you try to jump squat every rep you squat? Imo.. it would be better. It's not possible to jump squat with too much weight, but aiming to accelerate the bar upwards may be better. And a side effect of that is.. you're on your forefoot not on heels at the top.
