Biceps Femoris

Biceps Femoris Release (Outer Hamstring)

This technique targets the Biceps Femoris, the hamstring muscle located on the outside (lateral) edge of the back of your thigh, using focused pressure and active movement.


⚙️ The Setup

  • Gear: Use a firm massage ball (lacrosse ball or similar).
  • Position: Sit on a hard, sturdy surface like a table, a plyometric box, or a firm chair. Your legs should be dangling freely, or at least have room to move easily.
  • Placement: Place the ball under your thigh, steering it slightly toward the outside edge of the leg (lateral side), not the dead center.


👣 Step-by-Step Release

1. Find the "Banjo String"

  • Sit on the ball so it presses into the outer part of your hamstring.
  • Locate the thick, cord-like tendon on the outside back of your knee and follow that "cord" up about 2–3 inches into the main muscle belly.
  • Relax your leg completely. Let the weight of your thigh sink into the ball.


2. The "Kick and Relax" (Pin & Stretch)

  • Once you are on a tender spot, keep the ball still.
  • Kick (Extend): Slowly straighten your knee until your leg is fully extended. You will feel the tension increase significantly under the ball.
  • Relax (Flex): Lower your foot back down.
  • Repeat this 5–10 times. This actively glides the muscle fibers over the pressure point.


3. The "Windshield Wiper" (Cross-Friction)

  • Hold your leg straight out in front of you (maintaining the "Kick" position).
  • Slowly rotate your entire leg side-to-side (toes point right, then toes point left).
  • This cross-friction helps unglue the Biceps Femoris from the other hamstring muscles next to it.

4. Hunt High and Low

  • The Biceps Femoris is long. Move the ball up toward your glute (buttocks) by an inch and repeat the process.


  • Then move it down toward your knee, but stop about 2 inches above the knee crease.

⚠️ Safety Tip: The "Zing" Warning

  • The sciatic nerve runs right down the middle of the back of your leg, very close to this muscle.


  • Dull ache or "good hurt" = GOOD. This indicates muscle release.
  • Sharp, electric shock, or tingling = BAD. This means you are pressing directly on the nerve.


  • If you feel sharp pain, move the ball immediately slightly more toward the outside (lateral) edge of your leg to get off the nerve and back onto the muscle.