Also called Cross feet
How it works
Jump with the feet together, then with the feet crossed, then together again and crossed the other way.
skip-hop tipThe normal skip in between helps you keep the rhythm.
Teach the X 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 feet close-up and ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Step-by-step teaching: feet together, cross, and cross the other way
- Spot the fault: the two mistakes almost every child makes, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and links to the Blue and Bronze Awards
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
X: Blue Award and Bronze Award
Blue Award: Tricks
Part of the Blue Award test.
To pass, a pupil:
- Performs 4 beginner tricks (straddle, scissors, X, 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
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
- X
- 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.
In the scheme of work
Where this skill is taught in the skip-hop scheme of work.
- LKS2Lesson 3: X, slalom and bellSkills and Tricks · Years 3 and 4
- LKS2Lesson 6: Award day: Blue and PurpleSkills and Tricks · Years 3 and 4
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 X hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Crossing the legs, which makes balance harder.
- TaskCross and uncross the feet standing still first.
- TaskKeep a normal skip in between, as the skip-hop tip says.
- SpaceA soft, non-slip surface.
Seated or no-jump version. Cross and uncross the ankles in time with a rope turned at 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.