I love high box squats. I do. To me they are a huge ego booster of a lift. Its like doing 2 or 3board benching. I also like doing them raw because it allows be to work on my top end and using a wider stance to get my hamstrings more engaged. I only do box squats during the off season for a couple reasons:
1. Mainly due to my other lifters. Meaning that most of them are not veteran enough (years, reps, solid technique) to deviate back and forth from box squats, cambered bar and safety squat bars just yet during a training cycle. Different set ups, different depths, different well....different everything really. I need them more focused on what they are preparing for at a meet. A regular squat. I have seen too many times with rookie lifters throwing extra things like specialty bars and a box squats really throws them off. They start "searching" for a box every time they squat regular and anticipating hitting the box too and also the specialty bars throw them off as well with the different feel and positions these bars have them in compared to a regular squat bar. For me as a coach I want my lifters fully focused on how to "drive" a car first and not so concerned about driving a race car just yet so to speak. I teach the basics first then the accessory bars and box comes into play during the off season for them to get a taste of it each time after a meet training cycle.
2. And for me. During a meet cycle I need more time under a regular bar with real weight. I don't like using band tension, specialty bars and boxes during my meet training cycle. I know this way works for some but not for me. Real weight, real squats is just what the Dr. ordered for me. Now during the off season I like to use these extra specialty movements to try and utilize as supplemental training tools to help with power, strength, size and force. These are the weeks I get in shape, prepare, get stronger and being prepared for what's coming. During the meet training cycle I am fully focused on technique and getting better and knowing I will be ready....
Here is what I did today:
Raw SSB High Box Squats
1 x bar - 2
1 x 135 - 2
1 x 225 - 2
1 x 315 - 2
1 x 405 - 2
1 x 500 - 10
1 x 550 - 10
1 x 600 - 10
1 x 700 - 10
Leg Ext
5 x 20
Leg Curls
5 x 20
Abs
1