In flight non-support phase, which foot lightly meets the ground directly under or a minimal distance in front of the center of gravity?

In flight non-support phase, which foot lightly meets the ground directly under or a minimal distance in front of the center of gravity?

• A. Cocked
• B. Flat
• C. Heel-first
• D. Toe-first

Answer: (A)

In flight non-support, the aim is to touch down softly with the foot under or just in front of the body’s center of gravity so forward velocity isn’t turned into braking. The cocked landing describes striking on the ball of the foot in a slightly dorsiflexed, ready-to-spring position. This light forefoot contact absorbs impact elastically and allows an immediate, powerful push-off into the next step, preserving speed. Heel-first or flat-foot contacts tend to increase braking and slow the transition to the stance phase, while toe-first landings don’t align as well with the efficient under-CG forefoot touchdown. So the cocked position best fits the described, speed-preserving touchdown.

In flight non-support, the aim is to touch down softly with the foot under or just in front of the body’s center of gravity so forward velocity isn’t turned into braking. The cocked landing describes striking on the ball of the foot in a slightly dorsiflexed, ready-to-spring position. This light forefoot contact absorbs impact elastically and allows an immediate, powerful push-off into the next step, preserving speed. Heel-first or flat-foot contacts tend to increase braking and slow the transition to the stance phase, while toe-first landings don’t align as well with the efficient under-CG forefoot touchdown. So the cocked position best fits the described, speed-preserving touchdown.