Long legs, fold forward, classic hamstring lengthener.
Fold from the hips with a long back, don't hunch to grab your toes.
Sitting with straight legs and hinging forward puts your hamstrings on the longest stretch they see all day, from their attachment behind the knee right up to the pelvis. The key mechanic is the pelvis tilting forward, which is what actually lengthens the hamstrings, rather than the spine rounding to fake extra reach. Held with slow breathing, it is the classic finisher after any leg day.
Absolutely, toe touching is not the goal, hamstring stretch is. Hinge from the hips with a long spine and stop where you feel the stretch behind your thighs, even if your hands only reach your shins.
A soft bend is fine if your hamstrings are very tight, it lets your pelvis tilt forward and puts the stretch where it belongs. Straighten the legs gradually over weeks as your range improves.
30 to 60 seconds of relaxed breathing is a good default, easing slightly deeper on each exhale. Short aggressive pulls do far less than a long calm hold.
