Settle an argument - can you form a straight line from knee to toe?

[GimmeAy]

Weird title I know. Apologies.
But myself and OH were just discussing my legs. Or more specifically my foot.
I was stretching my leg/foot out (as one does) and he jumped in horror saying 'Ew, that's disgusting?' After much questioning it transpires that I can bend my foot down enough with an outstretched leg so that it's just one straight line (hard to explain).
He tried it and his ankles won't go halfway near to a straight line with his leg.
Is it men? Is it me (dancer all my youth) or can everybody but him do it and I'm not a freak?

Thanks!! Can do that!

It sounds like it must be an issue with the muscle down the shin or top of the foot but I am still perplexed. What angle can he get to, OP? About 130 degrees?

It's him

Can I see a photo cause I don't know what you mean?

About 45 degrees off being a flat line. So his hoof cocked up more or less lol.

I can do it. Not a dancer unless lots of alcohol is involved.

I can do it easily. Husband can't, and doesn't seem to understand me when I mention it.

To be fair, I'm usually mentioning it in the middle of a karate class, when he's just kicked me painfully because he's supposed to be using the top of his foot in a roundhouse kick, so I may not be explaining it particularly clearly....

I’ve just asked my husband, he can’t although the angle isn’t as huge as it sounds like your husband’s is, @GimmeAy

Like this??

I can do it and I'm mid 60's and neither particularly fit nor slim, and with two dodgy knees. I was extremely fit as a child/young adult though with extensive horse riding and competing. Is this just something that most males find difficult?

Here's the first image I found that demonstrates it (note, I am not selling ballet shoes).

www.movedancewear.com/bloch-demi-pointe-training-pointe-shoe-p614/?sku=BL%20135L%20C%2003H&gclid=CjwKCAjw8df2BRA3EiwAvfZWaNEa82FFwADywxWD18EOsPb2E8RShg121A_-gSNXlYlFj4z3310a_BoCGXUQAvD_BwE

So, how straight are we talking? Like spirit level straight or just no obvious angle? I have a curve in my leg bone that prevents a fully straight line.

I can do it, I'm most definitely not a dancer!

Yep, exactly like that Horehound! Well done!

On the other hand, I can't straighten my leg horizontally out in front of me. I believe I have short hamstrings... which I was told as a child and assumed it was one of those things I just had to live with. Only discovered a couple of years ago that they can be extended with stretching exercises. (You never know, I might start doing some exercises in another couple of years...)

Ah, cross post. I think most people can do that. My toddler has a version of 'if you're happy and you know it' with the instruction 'point your toes' and an illustration to that effect. No dancers in the immediate family either, and I'm incredibly inflexible on the whole. DH can do it too.

I can and so can DH

Oh I'm excited now to ask DH once he comes in!

For those who can't do it, does that mean that when you kneel down you have to be resting on your toes? Can you not have the soles of your feet pointing up?

Yes, I do ballet a couple of times a week though so I spend quite a lot of time in that position. My husband can't do it either but he can barely put his shoes on without grunting.

Ballet wasn't the type of dance that I did, but it appears to actually have a name in ballet (demi-pointe or pointe).
Well, Shrek here beside me is never going to take to the stage anyway it appears!

And I'm deffo no ballerina!

Its called plantarflexion and if his range is limited then his tibialis anterior (muscle to the left of tibia) is short and tight restricting his range. If he wants to fix it then google is his friend for stretches just now as sports therapists are a no go until they are allowed to touch people again!

I can and both ds's can. We're all hypermobile and can sit quite comfortably on the floor with 'w' legs.

Shrek here beside me is never going to take to the stage anyway it appears

That really made me laugh. I needed that laugh. Thanks OP!