Heel and toe downshifting (heel on brake, toes on gas)

Etanimulc · Post by **Etanimulc** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:25 pm

What are some tips for the heel and toe downshift method, in which the heel is on the brake, and the toes are on the gas?

Post by **Johnf514** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:31 pm

Hey there Etanimulc! Make sure to check out the FAQ and threads of interest for these kinds of things.

A thread about rev-matched downshifting

Also, the toes go on the brake, and the heel goes on the gas.

Edit: thanks PS.

Prodigal Son · Post by **Prodigal Son** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:27 pm

Johnf514 wrote: Also, the toes go on the gas, and the heel goes on the brake.

By which he means that the toes go on the brake and the heel goes on the gas.

Post by **Johnf514** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:33 pm

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Heel on the gas, toes on the brake.

It's so much easier when I'm driving!

Etanimulc · Post by **Etanimulc** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:22 pm

Johnf514 wrote:

Yeah, that's what I meant. Heel on the gas, toes on the brake.

It's so much easier when I'm driving!

You all have never seen a driver put their heel on the brake while their toes are blipping the throttle; or the left side of their right foot braking, as the right side of the foot blips the throttle?

Post by **Johnf514** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:34 pm

Yes, I have seen that. However, the term "heel-toe" eludes to the fact that you are braking hard (therefore requiring a lot of input on the brake pedal) and pivoting your heel to the gas to rev-match while keeping your toes on the brake.

The other method can be used as well, but may not work as well under track conditions.

pmacutay · Post by **pmacutay** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:10 pm

I read somewhere that it was originally done like the way the OP had put up, with heel on brake and toes on gas, and that's how it got named.

Could be one of those urban myth things where things get named differently to how they're used today.

(oh and john your profile pic is daytime now! I was wondering why it looked different...haha)

hockeystyx16 · Post by **hockeystyx16** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:55 pm

i heel toe with ball of my foot on the brake and right edge of my foot on the gas

no room to pivot my knee around

comingbackdown · Post by **comingbackdown** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:38 am

Johnf514 wrote:Yes, I have seen that. However, the term "heel-toe" eludes to the fact that you are braking hard (therefore requiring a lot of input on the brake pedal) and pivoting your heel to the gas to rev-match while keeping your toes on the brake.

The other method can be used as well, but may not work as well under track conditions.

I go heel on brake, toe on gas. It works fine for me, and sometimes I drive like a bat outta hell on county roads. I follow speed limits, but I'm up to the speed limit fast, come to my turn, drop my speed waaaaaay down to about 15-20 with a pretty good heel-toe, and I'm off like a bullet once I'm on the straight again.

*Disclaimer: If you're going to accelerate ridiculously fast and brake from 55-20 mph very quickly, make sure there's nobody in front of or behind you.*

Post by **Johnf514** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:51 am

Fair enough, CBD. The usual method is heel on gas, toes on brake, but if something else works for ya, then as long as you do it safely, do it.

tehfade · Post by **tehfade** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:13 am

One tip is don't get caught up in how to position your foot. All your doing is braking and blipping the gas at the same time, so as long as you can accomplish that, it doesn't matter which part of your foot is on which pedal. I personally use either side of my foot, because I can't comfortably twist my leg to actually use the heel and toe.

GarySheehan · Post by **GarySheehan** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:54 pm

Etanimulc wrote:What are some tips for the heel and toe downshift method, in which the heel is on the brake, and the toes are on the gas?

The biggest tip is to not do it that way.

Of the two pedals you are trying to actuate with one foot, only one pedal requires precise modulation, the brake pedal. The gas pedal doesn't require modulation, just a quick stab to raise the engine RPM.

If you use your heel on the brake, you are trying to modulate brake pressure with the large hip flexor and thigh muscles. While these muscles are great for brute strength, they are not so good for fine motor control. Also, when modulating the brake pedal with your heel, it involves moving the mass of your entire leg forward and backwards, which further impacts precision and increases reaction time. It also takes quite a lot of physical energy to brake this way.

That's why it is preferred to use your "toes" (ball) of the foot to modulate the brake pedal. The muscles that control the ankle are much better at fine motor control and have more than enough strength to provide appropriate brake pressure. In addition, only the movement of your foot is required to modulate brake pressure, not your entire leg. This gives you the fastest reaction time and finest control.

comingbackdown · Post by **comingbackdown** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:20 am

Well, we just got our confident asses handed to us, bigtime.

*prepares to bug mom and dad with a big 'ol "CAN I GO PRACTICE HEEL-TOE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"*

hockeystyx16 · Post by **hockeystyx16** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:09 pm

you still dont have a license?

comingbackdown · Post by **comingbackdown** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:19 pm

hockeystyx16 wrote:you still dont have a license?

Nope. In driver's ed, until middle of next month. Get my 50 hour affidavit notarized, schedule my exam, and pass that bastard.

Then I'm free to explore the open road.

StandardShift.com

Heel and toe downshifting (heel on brake, toes on gas)

Heel and toe downshifting (heel on brake, toes on gas)

Re: Heel and toe downshifting (heel on brake, toes on gas)