Conditioning for the Ankles
In the realm of athlete conditioning, the aspect I prioritize the most is the "ankles."
The reason being, it serves as a pivotal point for aligning the entire body due to its:
- Accessibility for touch
- Visibility
- Sensitivity to changes
I believe it is the most convenient reference point within the body. However, when I tell top athletes competing on a global stage, "Let's focus on conditioning from the ankles!" they often respond with expressions like "Seriously?" or "Isn't it a bit late for that?" This essentially indicates a lack of recognition regarding the importance of basic ankle care.
While current trends encourage incorporating the latest training and more specific methods, these advanced techniques are applicable only after mastering the fundamentals.
Implementing sophisticated methods without assessing the current state won't yield results. When results are absent, athletes may lose direction, and the risk of injuries increases.
In my encounters with figure skaters, including world champions, over the past 30 years, not a single athlete practiced ankle care. Hence, "Let's start with ankle conditioning!" becomes my initial emphasis.
Understanding Conditioning
Equally important is fostering a mutual understanding and two-way conditioning with athletes. Rather than imposing my approach, athletes must comprehend and willingly participate. Proving the efficacy of my method becomes essential.
The simplest way to achieve this is by demonstrating, in a few minutes, the improvement of stiff joints using my method. Ankles, being easily visible and palpable, prove convenient in such scenarios.
For instance, an experiment involves lying on one's back and tilting the ankles toward the floor, aiming to touch the floor with the toes in a graceful ballet dancer-like position. After daily fatigue, ankle mobility often diminishes. Confirming the limited movement with the athlete, I then spend around five minutes releasing muscles restricting ankle movement. Subsequently, I showcase the transformed, flexible ankles akin to a ballet dancer's and have the athlete reconfirm the change.
By presenting the reliability of my method on the spot, the distance between the athlete and me shortens. This establishes a collaborative conditioning relationship, facilitating smoother work.
In essence, clearly defining the starting point for conditioning is an absolute prerequisite for success. (Note: While the starting point may not necessarily be the ankles, adhering to a concept covering the entire body is crucial.)