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Scissors (front straddle)

One turn with the feet together, the next with one foot in front and one behind, like a pair of scissors. Back to feet together, then switch feet.

Individual skill

Also called Scissors

Blue Award · TricksBronze Award
Suitable for Years 3 to 4Speed skipping ropes

How it works

One turn with the feet together, the next with one foot in front and one behind, like a pair of scissors. Back to feet together, then switch feet.

skip-hop tipDon't overstretch on the scissors.

All-Access Skip Pass

Teach the scissors 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, filmed from the side, with a feet close-up and ½× and ¼× slow motion
  • Step-by-step teaching: feet together, scissors
  • Spot the fault, with the fix
  • A pupil self-check and links to the Blue and Bronze Awards
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£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.

Where it fits

Learn firstForward skipping double bounce
This skillScissors (front straddle)
Try nextCombined straddle
skip-hop Skipping Awards

Scissors (front straddle): Blue Award and Bronze Award

Blue Award · Tricks

Blue Award: Tricks

Part of the Blue Award test.

To pass, a pupil:

  • Performs 4 beginner tricks (straddle, scissors, ex, slalom or bell), 4 skips each
  • Skips 10 face to face with a partner in one rope
  • Sets a 30-second score and beats it
Bronze Award

Bronze Award

One of the ten Bronze Award skills.

The skills on this award:

  • First: the Safety and Poise checks and the preliminary skips
  • Bell
  • Slalom
  • Twister
  • Side straddle
  • Front straddle (scissors)
  • Combined straddle
  • Ex
  • Wounded duck
  • Side swing
  • 180 degree turn
  • Then the link: any 8 of the 10 skills linked in one routine, without a miss or error.

Also a related skill for the Purple Award.

In the scheme of work

Where this skill is taught in the skip-hop scheme of work.

What you need

Speed skipping ropes, bag of 10

KS1 2.1m, KS2 2.5m or KS3 2.8m. skip-hop ropes are designed specifically for the skills shown on this site.

Shop ropes

SEND and inclusion

Make it work for everyone

Ideas for pupils with SEND, and for anyone who finds scissors (front straddle) hard. Change one thing at a time.

What usually makes it hard: Swapping the feet front and back in time.

  • SpaceFootprint mats show front and back.
  • TaskA slow count, and small scissors.
  • PeopleHold a partner’s hands and practise without the rope.

Seated or no-jump version. Slide the feet forward and back on the footplates, one at a time, in rhythm.

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.