not workin the 'shin muscle' as you know will cause an imbalance... and in theory ur correct its the opposite muscle that does hinder mass usage of the muscle as u may have read in VJB or somewhere else. honestly though you are best off training the opposing muscle or else you will be very injury prone... strong calves and weak shins -> shin splints (and there 'cousins') and likewise working just ur quads and not ur hammies can lead to many knee injuries (i was prone to tendonitis from repeative jumping and not working the hammies)... long story short, ur only as strong as ur opposing muscle