To clear something up about LOT theory

Is this correct?

12:00 = Straight up towards the ceiling
3:00 = Straight out in front of you
6:00 = Straight down towards the floor
9:00 = Straight out behind you

No. There is no 3:00.

12 straight up
9 straight out
6 straight down

Like a backwards clock?

Depends which way you are facing! But as 9 is between 6 and 12, it makes more sense to do it that way.

I think I understand now, thanks. :)

A few good threads to read before you base your entire routine on LOT theory:

This thread questions the need for LOT theory: Ligaments Shmigaments: The way to stretch?! -

This thread questions the legitimacy of LOT theory: Testing LOT Theory

If I lose tugback between 6 and 9 then according to the LOT theory does that mean I don’t have much to gain from ligs? Should I start looking for tunica stretching exercises?

I will read those threads now remek. :)

It means you may not have as much to gain. Read remeks treads above. You may also find that stretching up for a while will bring your LOT back to above 9. This is a cycle that repeats itself with me.

So in theory you could stretch up to bring your LOT up while adding length, then stretch down to bring your lot down again while adding more length and repeat this process ad infinitum?

The LOT theory is just that - a theory. Many “believe” it, many don’t. If you’re a newbie then dont pay much attention to it until you’ve been PEing a while, then you can decide what course of action to take.