AFAIK Light action cleats are (still) not able to adjust float.

For those that need light action and adjustable float, you need to take the spring out of the light action cleat and put it into a Zero Cleat.

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Unless one needs more float or have knee issues or...

To the OP, instead of pushing straight down to engage, once the cleat is on the pedal, push forward and down to engage. This focuses your effort on just pushing the rear half of the spring instead of both front and rear. And, what Rapp said. See if you can exchange them for Light Action.

Thanks Friends - I've just decided to stick with my trusty Speedplay "X" model. Appreciate all the good suggestions but when the only really workable hack seems to be to distort the shape of the spring, (which appears to me to not only reduce the entry force, but also the exit force due to limiting the spring/pedal interface) I think I'll pass. My knee has done the "Figure Eight Dance" for a few decades now and worked pretty well -I'll just let it ride.
Thanks again to all!

Did you call Speedplay?

With due respect to the fitter, "The figure eight" is probably from an issue beyond the free float of your cleats. Granted limiting that float may help the problem, it does not solve the original issue.

I would look at both tight IT bands and support / wedging underfoot.

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I talk a lot - Give it a listen: http://www.fasttalklabs.com/category/fast-talk
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The above poster has eschewed traditional employment and is currently undertaking the ill-conceived task of launching his own hardgoods company. Statements are not made on behalf of nor reflective of anything in any manner... unless they're good, then they count.
http://www.AGNCYINNOVATION.com

The one time this happened to me (and it wasn't due to dirt), this was the cause