When we bought dd her skates, they had her knock back her foot to make the heel fit. Lately, I noticed she wasn't doing this, and she said it's because the skate is too tight around her ankle. Does anyone know if it's important to have to heel tight against the back of the skate? Sorry if it's something that should be obvious....

Yes. Extremely important.

ITA

I've never heard it called "knocking back" before. We use the term "kicking the heel in" - clearly the same thing. I can't quite picture how the skate being tight around the ankle could keep one from kicking the heel in, unless the skates are laced up already. It should be done before any lacing at all. BTW, I don't usually do it as I'm well past the break in period and my skates are snug without it.

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And that is why the heel counter area inside the boot needs to be *exactly* the same shape as the back of the skater's heel/Achilles tendon area (ie: not too deep and not too flat, and with the bend in the right place).

If the boot is not a good match for the foot (especially if the skate heel area is too "deep" for the foot), you run the very real risk of causing Achilles calluses (calluses which are not on the skin but on the tendon itself). The tendon will be much more rigid and less stretchy at the region around the callus. If these get too bad, they can rupture the tendon.

Wow, and I thought it might be a silly question.

Thanks so much for the replies and proper terminology! I'm wondering if the skate is the wrong shape and am glad to know to check that.