Also called Cross cross
How it works
Forward skip, cross the arms, cross them the other way, then uncross into a normal skip. Your comfortable cross followed by your uncomfortable one.
skip-hop tipSlow is the key.
Teach the cross cross with the All-Access Skip Pass
Everything a teacher needs to teach this skill to a whole class, from skip-hop coach Lee Collinson-James:
- The skip-hop video of this skill, with an arms close-up and ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Step-by-step teaching: four turns of the rope
- Spot the fault, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and a link to the Silver Award
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
Cross cross: Black Award and Silver Award
Black Award: Expert
A related skill for the Black Award: one to include in lessons.
To pass, a pupil:
- Performs 5 double unders (single bounces in between are fine)
- Performs a full 360 degree turn
- Performs a side swing cross on both sides
- Leads a group routine including individual, partner and long rope moves
- Keeps the pot boiling in Figure of Eight in a team of 6 to 8: 5 full figures of 8 each (10 jumps), with the whole team succeeding
Silver Award
One of the ten Silver Award skills.
The skills on this award:
- Rodeo
- Cyclone
- Coil
- Crossover
- Side swing cross
- Continuous cross
- Cross cross
- Double unders
- Can can
- Frog can can
- Then the link: any 7 of the 10 skills linked in one routine, without a miss or error.
In the scheme of work
Where this skill is taught in the skip-hop scheme of work.
- UKS2Lesson 1: Side swings and crossoversTricks, Teams and Double Dutch · Years 5 and 6
What you need
KS1 2.1m, KS2 2.5m or KS3 2.8m. skip-hop ropes are designed specifically for the skills shown on this site.
SEND and inclusion
Make it work for everyone
Ideas for pupils with SEND, and for anyone who finds cross cross hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Switching which arm is on top.
- CommunicationColoured tape on the hands: “red on top, blue on top”.
- TaskSlow is the key, as the skip-hop tip says. A normal skip in between.
- EquipmentA longer rope gives more room to cross.
Seated or no-jump version. Alternate crosses with the rope turned to the side.
An adapted pass is still a pass on the Skipping Awards. Use your own judgement and each pupil’s care plan. More in SEND and inclusion at skip-hop. Pupil struggling to get started? Try Lee’s tips for pupils who are struggling to skip.