Hey/ Finding a Form

[John Alston]

That lift was the fastest buzzer in the (far) east. The whole games had quick buzzers but that one was the worst.

[Emily Mattes]

Nick, I have the same problem as you--long femurs, poor ankle flexibility--down to the pinching.

It takes a really long time, and you just have to keep working at it. Stretch your calves and ankles all the time. My ankle flexibility has improved somewhat from regular Olympic lifting, but not as much as it would have had I been as diligent about stretching them as I should. When it comes to the pinching, I just kind of alternately keep pushing at it, do some dynamic stretches against it, massage the area a little, and go back to pushing at it. Originally I would feel a "crack" (this sounds worse than it is, there's no pain), and the pinching feeling would stop and I'd gain a few more degrees of mobility. This cracking has diminished as my ankles have gotten more flexible--I'm guessing as I keep working at the flexiblity/mobility whatever restrictions that are going on there are loosening up.

[Nick Hunter]

Originally Posted by Emily Mattes

Nick, I have the same problem as you--long femurs, poor ankle flexibility--down to the pinching.

It takes a really long time, and you just have to keep working at it. Stretch your calves and ankles all the time. My ankle flexibility has improved somewhat from regular Olympic lifting, but not as much as it would have had I been as diligent about stretching them as I should. When it comes to the pinching, I just kind of alternately keep pushing at it, do some dynamic stretches against it, massage the area a little, and go back to pushing at it. Originally I would feel a "crack" (this sounds worse than it is, there's no pain), and the pinching feeling would stop and I'd gain a few more degrees of mobility. This cracking has diminished as my ankles have gotten more flexible--I'm guessing as I keep working at the flexiblity/mobility whatever restrictions that are going on there are loosening up.

Emily,

Thanks for the reply. Did you find that you have pronation at the ankle, or a tendency of the knee to track inside of the big toe when attempting to dorsiflex? I'm trying to figure out whether the pinching pain (which is quite acute) is more likely caused by bone spur impingement or impingement due to misalignment.

BTW, how much have you improved your dorsiflexion?

Nick