Damn, why can't I squat right

[CurlCurlCurl]

When I first began squatting, I didn't care about the form and just did what felt most comfortable to me. I don't know if I was doing it right or not, but my quads felt really good. For some reason I can't get that feeling in my quads anymore. I started to look at form videos to try and make sure I am doing it right. I just can't do the dip right. I always feel the weight in the front of my feet rather than the heels. If I space my legs apart more, the knees bow out as I go down, causing pain. If they're close, it doesn't really feel like it's hitting the right muscles. If I try to make the legs shoulder width apart, I just feel the weight on the front of my feet. I forcefully try to make my hips bow outward before I do the dip, but as I go down, my hamstrings become very tight and won't let me go down any further. I notice that if I try to keep my head pointed straight instead of down, I tend to lose balance and take a few steps back as I go down in the squat.

[lilcrate]

Go light and start all over until you get it right.

[Donkeyno9]

Post video please.

[unity]

post a vid and tell us what kind of squat you are trying to do.

just from reading though, sounds like you really need to work on your flexability of hips, glutes, and hamstrings. although, there may be more problems.

[Rsardinia]

Try stretching your calves first before you squat to help keep your heels on the ground.

[djartek]

flexibility and mobility you need it!

[thegreek21]

only new here, but perhaps using a smith machine would help keep the weight where you want it until you improve your technique.

[Beachman]

Go light and start all over until you get it right.

^^^This.

Post video please.

^^^Also this.

only new here, but perhaps using a smith machine would help keep the weight where you want it until you improve your technique.

^^^Since your new here I'll give you a tip, prepare yourself.

[djartek]

only new here, but perhaps using a smith machine would help keep the weight where you want it until you improve your technique.

^^^Since your new here I'll give you a tip, prepare yourself.

Did you know that every time you squat in the smith machine...

[Uncle Ben]

What is this dip you speak of?

As suggested early, cut the weight back, dial in the form, and go from there.

only new here, but perhaps using a smith machine would help keep the weight where you want it until you improve your technique.

Smith machine would reinforce bad form.