Grease and the sneaker for not running

There are films that left a mark in a era. One of them is in Grease.

Their songs, dances, crazy and rebellious adolescence, first loves...

A classic musical.

It was realeased in 1978 when Nike was just taking its first steps.

Its charismatic protagonist Danny (played by John Travolta) falls in love with Sandy.

To reconquer her, he takes up sport to gain biceps.

Danny starts playing basketball and the whole team wears the same shoe.

The best of his time.

The official shoe in the USA for many years.

No inner tube, heel, drop, arch support or ankle brace. Nothing.

A rubber sole and a canvas upper.

The Converse All-Star.

I mean, personally, I'm not a fan of Converse.
They have a very thick sole. And I find them very heavy.
Although I have to confess, I had some as a teenager and I loved them.

Anyway, let's continue.

Danny's not good at basketball and the coach talks about running.

DANNY: You want me to run?

-Coach: You don't like running?
Running requires strength, endurance, but also brains.
Long-distance running or offroad running...

-Danny: Okay, maybe I like it.
 
In spite of the coach's slightest hint, Danny runs straight, with a wide stride, but when the foot lands it's under the body.

And yes, the first thing that touches the ground is the front of the shoe. The part before the toes. Also known as the "ball of the foot".

Not the heel, that's for walking.

Do you know what sneakers Danny Zuko uses for running and hurdling?

Exactly.

The same Converse All-Star.

By the way, when minimalism resurfaced around 2009, the U.S. realized that their basketball players had lost ankle range of motion.
What's known as dorsiflexion.

Logical.

They had gone from the Converse, the usual minimalists, to Nike's fancy basketball shoes.

They had traded the functionality for marketing and design.

You know, if the ankle doesn't work, it's the knee that pays the bill.

Don't limit your ankle, choose flat shoes or no drop.