trying to remove rear axle

[Dead Eye]

I usually sit down facing the rear of the bike with the rear wheel more or less between my legs. I then use my foot to support the rear wheel as you can easily adjust the pressure, as I use a rubber mallet to hit the axle and pull using my other hand The reason I use my foot to support the wheel is because it's too easy to stuff some wood under the wheel and cause pressure from the suspension on the wheel instead of its own weight.