Landing and Squat are two of the movements the body is built on. This page compares them side by side — how they differ mechanically, what they have in common, and where each shows up — without calling either "better".
How they differ
A squat is a controlled, cyclical strength pattern moving through flexion and extension under bodyweight or external load; a landing is a rapid, impact-driven eccentric absorption that resolves in a fraction of a second.
What they share
- Both develop balance, power and muscular strength.
- Both work the quadriceps, glutes, calves and hamstrings.
- Both show up in basketball and volleyball.
What each emphasises
Neither is “better” — they simply ask for different things.
Landing
BalanceCoordinationPowerAgility
Squat
Muscular strengthPowerBalanceMobility
Explore both movements
Related skills
Related techniques
Exercises that train them
The science behind them
Common questions
- What is the difference between landing and squat?
- A squat is a controlled, cyclical strength pattern moving through flexion and extension under bodyweight or external load; a landing is a rapid, impact-driven eccentric absorption that resolves in a fraction of a second.
- Are landing and squat the same movement?
- No — although they are often mentioned together, they are separate movements with their own mechanics. They do share some ground: both develop balance, power and muscular strength.
Educational, not a verdict
This is a general, educational comparison of how two movements work — not coaching instruction or a claim that one is better. Build up gradually and, if in doubt, check with a qualified professional.
More movement comparisons
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Landing vs Squat to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Movement patterns
- LandingThe controlled absorption of force at ground contact that ends an airborne phase, dissipating impact through eccentric triple flexion of the ankle, knee and hip.
- SquatA knee-dominant pattern: bending the hips, knees and ankles to lower and rise while keeping the torso upright — the foundation of lower-body strength.
- JumpThe plyometric pattern of projecting the body off the ground through explosive triple extension and controlling the landing — the core expression of lower-body power.
- BoundAn exaggerated, horizontal springing stride that transfers from one leg to the opposite leg with a long flight phase, amplifying the mechanics of running.
Practice & sessions
Knowledge Atlas
- Explore by EquipmentThe gear of sport — grouped by kind and linked to the sports and beginner guides that use it.
- Explore by SkillThe learnable actions of a sport — grouped into families and linked to the techniques and sports that use them.
- Explore by TechniqueThe specific, named ways skills are executed in each sport — linked to the skills, movements and sports behind them.
- Explore by RuleHow sports are governed — the rules, and the officiating and scoring that enforce them.
- Explore by MovementThe fundamental patterns and cross-sport athletic movements the body is built on.
Glossary
- SupersetA superset pairs two exercises performed back-to-back with little or no rest between them.
- EagleIn golf, completing a hole in two strokes fewer than its par.
- Half TimeThe interval that separates the two halves of a match, giving teams a break before they change ends and resume play.
- OffsideA rule that penalises an attacking player for being in an illegal forward position when the ball is played to them.
- DOMSDOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is the muscle soreness that appears a day or two after unfamiliar or intense exercise.