Also called Inverse crougar
How it works
Skipping backwards, put an arm under the same-side leg as the rope comes over. Jump the rope, spin 180 degrees as it rises, then hop over it with the raised foot and carry on skipping forwards.
skip-hop tipStart the turn as the rope comes out from under your foot.
Teach the marlee 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 a slow side-on breakdown and ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Step-by-step teaching: backward skip, arm under from the outside, spin, hop, skip forwards
- Spot the fault, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and a link to the Gold Award
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
Marlee: Gold Award
Gold Award
One of the eight Gold Award skills.
The skills on this award:
- Crougar (pretzel)
- Skipping into and out of the crougar
- Marlee
- Razzle dazzle
- Toad
- EB
- Combined toe and heel tap
- Caboose cross
- Then the link: any 6 of the 8 skills linked in one routine, without a miss or error.
In the scheme of work
This skill isn't in the scheme of work lessons yet. It's a great one for skipping clubs and playtimes.
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 marlee hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Skipping backwards, an arm under the leg and a half turn.
- TaskSplit it into parts and practise each one: arm under the leg, the half turn, the hop.
- TaskAny part done well is progress.
- SpacePlenty of space and a soft surface.
Seated or no-jump version. Not a seated skill as it stands. Work on side swings and crosses instead.
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.