Knee Cave Meaning in Weightlifting

Knee cave describes a technical error where the knees collapse inward toward each other during a lift. This movement usually happens when the athlete stands up from a squat or catches a heavy clean. It often indicates weakness in the hip muscles or poor control of the lower body joints. Correcting this fault is important to prevent injury and ensure the most efficient transfer of leg power. A lifter focuses on pushing their knees outward while rising from the bottom of a heavy squat. Maintaining a strong and stable knee position creates a much more powerful base for the entire lift. Coaches use resistance bands to help athletes feel and correct this inward collapse during practice.