Ensure your Barefoot Running Form is Correct

Having the correct barefoot running form is essential to running injury free. If you are landing on your heels or are not sure if your have the correct running form, the information in this article will help you improve your running form and ensure that your barefoot running technique includes a gentle forefoot strike and knee drive from the hips with foot landing underneath knee.

The following diagram provides helpful information to improve and develop a healthy barefoot running technique and foot strike. It demonstrates driving the knee forward as you imagine stepping over a log, using the hips and glutes to drive the knee and keeping the rest of the leg hanging and relaxed. Visualize this movement to help ensure that you land gently on your forefoot with your ankles and feet under your knees. (Click to enlarge and read full details.)

Techniques to improve barefoot running form

If you were previously a heel striker and are just beginning to run barefoot, your calves will probably hurt a lot in the beginning. Running with a heel strike doesn't utilize the calves and prevents them from absorbing the shock when landing. With time, the muscles in your calves will develop, become stronger and will be able to naturally support your feet without pain. 

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella is a 44-year-old barefoot runner who is probably one of today's faster barefoot runners. Cucuzzella was told by his surgeon while in his 30s that he would have to give up running as his feet were so malformed due to surgery and arthritis. 

Instead of quitting, Cucuzzella changed his running form and began to land gently on his forefoot. Now he is not just running pain free, but he is running better and faster. The following barefoot running technique video demonstrates his very powerful barefoot running form and provides very specific ways on how to improve your running technique. (See summary below video.)

Text from the video on how to improve your running form:

• The harder the surface the softer the landing
• Get strong in the right places
• Get loose in the right places
• Be in balance
• Have rhythm...aim for 180 cadence
• Light drills are key
• Skip A - develop quick, springy feet
• Skip B - place your feet under you not in front of you
• Skip C - extend your hips
• Skip D - pick up your feet
• Progress slowly
• Your feet are the messengers...listen to them
• Run tall...with good posture
• Lean just a little from the ankles
• Lower your loading rate
• Lower your impact transient
• Do not overstride
• Relax and breathe
• Run and have fun

The 100-Up Exercise improves running form and performance

A few years ago Christopher McDougall did an article for the NY Times. In the article he suggests what he calls a "fool-proof way to run perfectly." He is talking about the "100-Up Exercise" that was invented by Walter George in 1874.

He demonstrates the 100-Up Exercise in a video, which he refers to as "The Lost Secret of Running." McDougall goes so far as to say that it is "the one way to run perfectly," as there are reportedly impressive results from doing this exercise on a regular basis. Read more about this incredible exercise here: 100-Up-Exercise 

We can improve our barefoot running form and running technique. Sometimes it means trying new techniques and exercises and relearning how to run -- all requiring time, patience and practice, but well worth the effort!

Have you tried a forefoot strike while walking? Some runners use it to help them develop a forefoot strike while running. 

Related articles:

Running Foot Strike

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