How it works
Cross the arms, with the lower arm (nearest the stomach) going under the opposite leg. A cross between a crougar and a crossover.
skip-hop tipPractise with the rope but without jumping, on both sides.
Teach the toad 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 breakdown and ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Step-by-step teaching: which way to cross for the leg you lift
- Getting out: jump the rope and uncross
- 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
Toad: Black Award and Gold 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
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 toad hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Crossing the arms with one arm under the same-side leg.
- TaskPractise with the rope but without jumping, on both sides, as the skip-hop tip says.
- TaskLearn the crougar and crossover first.
- EquipmentA longer rope.
Seated or no-jump version. Seated position practice with a side swing.
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.