6 Most Common Form Failures

Sometimes it takes understanding what not to do before you can learn what you should do, and that goes for running form as well. This video series highlights the 6 most common running form failures, their causes, consequences, and some quick tips to clean them up on the fly. In most cases, form breakdowns occur at the mechanical level, meaning that a deficiency in mobility or stability may be preventing you from executing good form. This is why we recommend that you check out our full mobility and stability assessment program on our ACU-Running page after you've viewed this series. Short on time? We've selected the top 4 most common mobility failures and their fixes in our "Big Four" series. Don't worry, nobody is a "perfect" runner (yup, not even the fast ones), but there are some really simple ways to get a little bit better every day, which will make your run that much more enjoyable! Remember, your shoes are not going to make you a better runner, but you can!

"The Hopper"
Hey there pogo stick- check out this video to see if you recognize this classic form failure. "The Hopper," one of the most common form failures seen in minimal or barefoot runners. This stride is characterized by excessive bounce, a pointed toe, and a forefoot landing too far out in front of the body.


"The Backseat Driver”
A classic over-stride form failure where the runner reaches the lead leg too far in front of the body during the swing phase. We'll show you what characteristics to look for in "The Backseat Driver", as well as some cues on how to clean it up. But remember, to really improve it's important to recognize your specific mobility and stability limitations that may be preventing efficient form.


"The Rocky"
Swinging your arms too much when you run? Watch this video to see what's going on "under the hood".


"The Slouch"
Hey Runners! "The Slouch" occurs when you bend at the hips, which causes an overstride to maintain balance. Check out the video below to see if you exhibit this classic form failure.


"The Dropper"
Getting a little too much "hip drop"? Learn how to identify and improve this common form failure. "The Dropper" is characterized by a lack of stability in either the ankle, knee, or hip. This may cause the hip to drop out of alignment and the knee and ankle to roll inwards. Check out the video below to see if you have this common form trait, then look at the cue for some helpful tips. But remember, form is the result of a strong biomechanic foundation.


"The Swinger"
"The Swinger,” a form error that is typically characterized by the legs swinging out from the hip in a circular pattern. If the runner has tight hips, their foot may also hit the ground in a turned-out position.