HAND PLACEMENTS

Every skill (cross or swing) in jump rope is made up of a combination of two hand placements. This parallels how every molecule is made up of a combination of atoms, such as water which compromises hydrogen and oxygen.

In jump rope there are nine unique hand placements.

  • Pocket position is our most basic position, where our hand is next to our hip with our palm facing forward.

    When both hands are in pocket position, this forms an Open.

  • This position involves crossing our hand across our hips to the opposite side with our palm facing down.

    When both hands are crossing our hips, this forms a basic Cross.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘Cross’ position.

  • This position involves crossing our hand behind our back at hip level.

    When one hand crosses behind our back whilst the other hand crosses our hips, this forms an EB.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘EB’ position.

  • This hand position involves crossing our hand across our neck behind our head.

    When one hand crosses our neck and the other hand crosses somewhere else, these skills contain “Neck” in their name, such as Neck Toad. Similarly, this hand position is simply referred to as the ‘Neck’ position.

  • This position involves our hand crossing under our opposite leg from the inside of our thigh.

    When one hand crosses under our opposite leg whilst the other hand crosses our hips, this forms a Toad.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘Toad’ position.

  • This position involves our hand crossing under our same-side leg from the outside of our thigh.

    When one hand crosses under our same-side leg whilst the other hand crosses our hips, this forms an Inverse Toad.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘Inverse Toad’ position.

  • This position involves lifting our leg over the hand on the same side, such that our hand crosses underneath from the inside of our thigh.

    When one hand crosses under our same-side leg whilst the other hand is in pocket position, this forms a Leg Over (also known as a Crougar).

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘Leg Over’ position.

  • This position involves lifting our opposite leg over the hand on the other side, such that our hand crosses underneath from the outside of our thigh.

    When one hand crosses under our opposite-side leg whilst the other hand is in pocket position, this forms an Inverse Leg Over.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘Inverse Leg Over’ position.

  • This position involves crossing our hand behind both legs at knee height.

    When both hands cross behind our knees, this forms an AS.

    Top tip: This hand position is often referred to simply as the ‘AS’ position.