In flight non-support phase, the thigh begins to move down, sweeping the lower leg backward and down with which action?

In flight non-support phase, the thigh begins to move down, sweeping the lower leg backward and down with which action?

• A. Pawing
• B. Pushing
• C. Slapping
• D. Loping

Answer: (A)

In the flight non-support phase, the leg is moving through the air, so the focus is on how the leg is being directed rather than pushed off the ground. The thigh begins to move down while the lower leg sweeps backward and downward in a quick, light scooping motion. This is described as pawing—the foot feels like a quick, forward-facing paw pushing backward and down as the leg passes through the swing. This motion helps position the leg efficiently for the next ground contact, keeping the recovery compact and ready for a fast transition. Pushing would imply applying force as if to drive off the ground, which isn’t happening in flight. Slapping would suggest a noisy or hitting action, or contact, which isn’t the case during a non-support phase. Loping refers to a more relaxed, bouncing style rather than a specific recovery action.

In the flight non-support phase, the leg is moving through the air, so the focus is on how the leg is being directed rather than pushed off the ground. The thigh begins to move down while the lower leg sweeps backward and downward in a quick, light scooping motion. This is described as pawing—the foot feels like a quick, forward-facing paw pushing backward and down as the leg passes through the swing. This motion helps position the leg efficiently for the next ground contact, keeping the recovery compact and ready for a fast transition.

Pushing would imply applying force as if to drive off the ground, which isn’t happening in flight. Slapping would suggest a noisy or hitting action, or contact, which isn’t the case during a non-support phase. Loping refers to a more relaxed, bouncing style rather than a specific recovery action.