RULES AND REGS OF LEGS
 

Have you ever seen the photo of Roger DeCoster at Carlsbad cranking his works Suzuki through the Mechanic’s Turn? It is an awesome depiction of motocross prowess. The Man has his bike laid down so far that the clutch lever is pushing dirt and his left leg looks like a snow ski carving through brown powder.
"Foot out and sliding" is the epitome of motocross coolness, but it’s really not how a motocrosser’s legs should be used. Any rider can get away with using his leg as a prop, ski or tripod if the traction is perfect, his skill level high enough and conditions right—but it’s not wise to make a habit of it.
The main reason for sticking your inside leg out in a corner is to move body weight forward. As the leg is projected in the direction of travel, the rider’s hips are held in place on the saddle.

RULES AND REGS OF LEGS
Rule One: Extend your leg directly forward (keeping it as close to the center line of the bike as possible). Do not stick it out sideways like an outrigger unless you want it ripped backwards.

Rule Two: Do not touch the ground with your foot. Why? Because when the foot hits the ground the counterbalance effect of the leg is lost and the bike goes from being balanced on two wheels to being supported on three points. Touching the ground changes the bike’s balance point.

Rule Three: Your leg is not a skid. It is a counterbalance (much like the long pole used by tightrope walkers). It should not slide along the ground in any manner. If it accidentally hits the ground, immediately lift it up and hold it approximately four inches above the surface.

Rule Four: Never fully extend your knee joint. Always keep a slight bend in the knee to help absorb punishment and to maintain enough flexibility in the knee to allow the leg to be withdrawn should the bike fall down.

Rule Five: As the corner is completed, retracted the extended leg directly back to the footpeg. Do not swing it backwards or let it dangle.

Rule Six: Never let your outstretched leg get drawn behind the bike. If your foot is pulled towards the rear of the bike, you risk running over your own leg, twisting your knee severely or smacking your ankle against the rear axle bolt.

Rule Seven: Should the bike begin to slide out while your leg is extended you have two choices: (1) Pull it back to the footpeg and try to save the bike with throttle and brake control or (2) stomp your foot onto the ground at a right angle to the bike to try and keep it upright. Never leave your leg extended as the bike slides out or the handlebars will leverage your upper thigh (with your knee as the fulcrum point). That hurts.