Knee-to-Wall Ankle Mobilisation

The standard ankle dorsiflexion test and drill in one — the range that decides how deep you can squat.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Bodyweight
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Calves · Shins
ALSO WORKS
Feet & Arch
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Stand facing a wall with the toes of one foot about 10cm back from it.
  2. 02Keeping the heel flat, drive the knee forward to touch the wall.
  3. 03If it touches easily, move the foot back and repeat until you find your limit.
  4. 04Work 10–15 controlled reps at your end range, then re-measure.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01The heel must stay down — the moment it lifts, the rep doesn't count.
  2. 02Knee tracks over the second toe, not inward.
  3. 03Measure the distance and track it. This is a number, not a feeling.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Letting the heel rise to reach the wall.
  2. 02Collapsing the arch to fake range.
  3. 03Stretching the calf passively and never loading the new range.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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