Calves: help with what i'm doing wrong

Tredstep Elasticized Half Chaps - Chaps from SmartPak Equine

^Look through Tredsteps line of half chaps. Their size chart is endless. It's the only brand with enough size options to accomodate my awkward leg proportion, and they have lasted me forever.

I've never heard of gripping with your calves. That just makes you end up off balance with a pretty forward pitch. I've always been taught to have light contact everywhere, but never grippy. Knees and ankles act as springs, seat is your balance point, and heels set your leg.

The only time you use your thighs, is when you want to slow down or do a downward transition. The rest of the time, your thighs are making light contact with your saddle.

You never grip with your knees, your knees never come into factor when you ride - well, they shouldn't. Your bodies weight must naturally flow from your head, into your seat and then into your lower leg - the moment you grip or pinch with your knees....you've blocked that weight flow from occuring.

You must allow your heels to do their job, which is anchor you into your tack, and in order for that to happen, that weight flow must be allowed to occur without any blocking. The moment you block, your heels cannot do their job - which in turn, causes you to not be solidified in your tack.