Do you have them?

This question is pretty easy to answer. If you have open and clear communication with anyone you are basing, they may have already told you. If they have not, go ahead and ask them. It might help to also mention that you are looking for an authentic answer and that you won't (or you will try not to) be offended if the answer is not what you expect.

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Are soft feet important?

This of course is a judgment, the level of importance will vary depending on who you ask. In our opinion, the answer is - hell yes!

Why do we value soft feet?

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1. There is only so much mental CPU someone has. While exploring a new movement, a flyer can focus more on the learning if they are physically comfortable and not trying to get through the pain.

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2. During a training session the flyer can manage more repetitions before needing to stop (this means more play!). Especially in transitions where the base is at the limit of their active flexibility.

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3. Having soft feet further softens the mind. Meaning that the base also has more capacity for training (/playing).

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4. The drive within (some) flyers to try new things will be stronger if they already know the experience will be as comfortable as possible.

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Can you develop soft feet?

 

ABSOLUTELY!

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Surely there are many ways to do this. Here are some that have helped us:

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1. Spend more time barefoot, or wearing barefoot shoes. Looking past the health benefits, spending time barefoot changes the way your foot functions. It becomes dexterous, malleable, responsive and relaxed. This means that your feet are able to mold more easily to the shape of the contact point, creating a bigger, softer surface area.

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2. Play angry bird. This is where the flyer chooses a pose (for example bird) and is tasked with getting off the base by wriggling, popping, flipping, whatever they want to do (start off slow and build up). The base's job is to keep them in the air for as long as possible. Experimenting with this game can teach you a lot, including how to relax during physically stressful Acro.

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3. Communication. Ask your flyers to tell you when something hurts. When it does you can either alter the movement, maybe giving more space for the foot to be placed, or...

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4. Focus on the feet. Spend time transitioning and focusing on relaxing your feet at the same time.

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5. Become hyper aware of the knife edge. This is the outer edge of your foot and runs from the pinky toe too the heel. It is NOT a comfortable foot placement. Mastery over inversion and eversion will greatly increase a flyers comfort.

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What to do if your base doesn't have them.

The first thing to do is decide whether or not this is important to you as a flyer. If so, talk to your base. Tell them how it is for you and hopefully they will not be offended, they will hear what you are saying and can take steps to soften their feet. Just remember that it is a process, it takes time.

Ultimately worth the attention!