Oh I know. It drives me crazy how bad I am at Squats and Deadlifts.
A few things I thought might be causing my terrible lifts:
1. Sick - I had a really really bad sickness like bronchitis mixed with flu and I could not beat it for 10-14 days. I didn't work out at all, before this I was steadily climbing.
2. Gloves - adding extra thickness when I grip the bar, probably not best for my grip strength.
3. Breaking at the knees, not sitting my butt back - my knees were getting overworked.
4. Trying to set up BEFORE grabbing the bar on deadlift
My form was really bad, I was experiencing patellofemoral pain, now that I am sitting back while squatting AND focusing on keeping bar over mid foot, I feel a lot less pressure on my knees.
Great step by step. I am using something similar by Mark Rippetoe.