Which depth cue indicates you have reached depth below parallel in the squat?

• A. Stop when the fold of the hip is below the knees—break parallel with the thigh.
• B. Stop when the knees touch the toes.
• C. Stop when the torso is perfectly vertical.
• D. Stop when the weight is on the toes.

Answer: (A)

Depth is determined by where the hip crease sits relative to the knee. When you descend, you’ve gone below parallel when the fold of the hip (the hip crease) drops below the level of the knee, i.e., the thigh breaks parallel with the floor. This cue directly shows that the pelvis and hips have descended past the parallel point, which is the goal in many coaching standards.

Stopping when the knees touch the toes isn’t a reliable guide because knee-to-toe contact can occur without the hips dipping below parallel, and some athletes may have this contact even at or above parallel depending on their ankle mobility and torso position. A perfectly vertical torso does not guarantee depth either—it's possible to be upright and still not have the hips below parallel. Likewise, weight on the toes indicates balance and foot position rather than how deep you are in the squat.

A practical tip: watch the hip crease as you lower, aiming for it to move below the knee while maintaining a stable chest, heels on the ground, and knees tracking over the toes.