I've been really playing around with ankle flexion in the past week or so. I've always done what I will refer to as "passive" ankle flexion where I allow my body weight to push forward against the boot, resulting in a flexed ankle. So much instruction seems to teach this, but maybe I've misunderstood it. Or maybe because I'm so flexible, shin/tongue pressure created this way doesn't create enough tension in the foot/ankle/achilles.
I started to actively dorsiflex using the tibialis anterior muscles, particularly at transition, and it seems to be eliminating my old stem habit and also keeps me in a much better stacked position. It has also highlighted the fore/aft balance issues I continue to have which I am going to have addressed soon (have new shells, same as current shells.) When I say active, I mean that I am really using the tibialis anterior to forcefully pull my foot up. The issue I feel with this is you can't pressure the big toe while actively dorsiflexing. It's impossible. It DOES put passive pressure on the ball of the foot. One physically cannot actively dorsiflex and push down on the ball of the foot or toes.
This latest video from Deb Armstrong got me to really thinking about it as he talks about how the body senses when it's in balance. It cannot perform at it's highest level when it is out of balance. My boots are not putting me in balance. I can sense that so am always a bit tense and really struggle in variable conditions. The last time I felt balanced in boots was in a pair of Salomon XMax. They are far too big volume-wise for me, hence why I am in a race boot (Rossi ZJ+.)
I think this video explains pulling the "strong" leg back (as they call it) better than I've ever heard. I'm big on the "why" of things. He explains why! I'm debating taking my fitness band out (and have considered this for quite awhile now, to engage those hip abductors) and now I'm really tempted. How does pulling that leg back relate to dorsiflexion? If you dorsiflex, it keeps the foot and leg centered better beneath your COM, and if you engage the abductors, it really pulls back. What's been happening to me is I just can't find that sweet spot in the ski yet. If I have a boot that is gas pedaled, hence already putting me into a more dorsiflexed position, does that create a less-desirable platform for active dorsiflexion?
I know, a lot to unpack in one post. I know some of you will get where I am going with this. In the meantime, here is the video. There are two parts to it, this is the 2nd part. I think it's brilliant.
I started to actively dorsiflex using the tibialis anterior muscles, particularly at transition, and it seems to be eliminating my old stem habit and also keeps me in a much better stacked position. It has also highlighted the fore/aft balance issues I continue to have which I am going to have addressed soon (have new shells, same as current shells.) When I say active, I mean that I am really using the tibialis anterior to forcefully pull my foot up. The issue I feel with this is you can't pressure the big toe while actively dorsiflexing. It's impossible. It DOES put passive pressure on the ball of the foot. One physically cannot actively dorsiflex and push down on the ball of the foot or toes.
This latest video from Deb Armstrong got me to really thinking about it as he talks about how the body senses when it's in balance. It cannot perform at it's highest level when it is out of balance. My boots are not putting me in balance. I can sense that so am always a bit tense and really struggle in variable conditions. The last time I felt balanced in boots was in a pair of Salomon XMax. They are far too big volume-wise for me, hence why I am in a race boot (Rossi ZJ+.)
I think this video explains pulling the "strong" leg back (as they call it) better than I've ever heard. I'm big on the "why" of things. He explains why! I'm debating taking my fitness band out (and have considered this for quite awhile now, to engage those hip abductors) and now I'm really tempted. How does pulling that leg back relate to dorsiflexion? If you dorsiflex, it keeps the foot and leg centered better beneath your COM, and if you engage the abductors, it really pulls back. What's been happening to me is I just can't find that sweet spot in the ski yet. If I have a boot that is gas pedaled, hence already putting me into a more dorsiflexed position, does that create a less-desirable platform for active dorsiflexion?
I know, a lot to unpack in one post. I know some of you will get where I am going with this. In the meantime, here is the video. There are two parts to it, this is the 2nd part. I think it's brilliant.