Hip to Foot, Foot to Hip: Why I Don't Cue "Screw the Foot Into the Floor"

arch biomechanics constraints cueing foot mechanics hip stability knee valgus Oct 17, 2026

Hip to foot, foot to hip. I never use the cue "screw the foot into the ground" to create stability.

Why not

Doing that can prevent the natural motion of the arch and how that impacts the rest of the chain up. We need an arch that can drop and lift. Sometimes we just need to find the outside of the heel so we have a place to roll from.

Add constraints at the hip

We can also add constraints to the hip to create more stability up top, which helps what is happening down below. A stable hip allows for better eccentric control so the knee and foot don't just cave in.

Instead of cueing someone out of their compensation, I can add constraints, like the ones in the video, to help them create the shape and movement I want.

Watch more

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Foot mobility exercises: 4 steps to improve your foot mobility

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Knee biomechanics and mobility

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Want to understand how to assess and provide solutions like these? Take a look at Empowered Performance, my 12-week biomechanics course. You can also try the free Spinal Health in Motion course or move with me in Alchemy.

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