Ben,
Glad you're getting results so quickly. You've got some serious tightness going on.
You can get the same effect with serious application of force through the ankle with your own lower leg muscles as you are getting with your hands. Basically, use effort to prevent the ankle from "caving in". Or simply put the ankle out past the knee (in the second pic you posted) so that it is impossible to direct force into the ankle.
These two piriformis stretches may also hit the spot.
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As I'm sure you've figured out, a little work on this area for you will pay big dividends.