Allowing the excess length of the cord to hang down and tying it at the ankle in a style known as 'gekukuri' was the normal way of wearing sashinuki while tying the cord above or below the knee was known as 'shokukuri' and not favored as it displays the lower leg but was adopted when playing kemari (Japanese ancient Imperial court game like kick-ball) or in emergencies.
紐の余りを長く垂らしてくるぶしで括るのは「下括り」といって平常の着付けで、膝の上か下に括る「上括り」は脛が出て格好が悪いため蹴鞠をするときや緊急時の着付け。