Stride Jump Crossover

Do a bouncy stride jump while your paws cross your belly line like you are hopping over a forest log. Keep it light, quick, and rhythmic so your bear heart thumps happily. Land softly, stay tall, and let the cross-body motion challenge your balance and coordination.

Instructions

1. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and brace your core.
2. Step one foot forward into a shallow split stance with knees softly bent.
3. Jump and switch legs in the air, landing in the opposite split stance.
4. As you switch, cross your arms or hands across your midline (right hand toward left side, then alternate).
5. Land softly on the balls of your feet with knees tracking over toes.
6. Continue alternating at a steady pace for the desired time or reps.

Benefits

• Improves cardiovascular fitness and calorie expenditure
• Builds lower-body power and reactive strength
• Enhances coordination and cross-body movement control
• Trains balance and agility during rapid stance changes

Key Points

• Land quietly with soft knees and controlled hips.
• Keep your torso upright and core braced to resist twisting.
• Cross-body motion is quick and compact, not a big swing.
• Maintain a consistent rhythm before increasing speed.
• Stop if you feel knee pain or loss of control and regress to step-backs.

Common Mistakes

• Landing stiff-legged or loudly
• Knees collapsing inward on landing
• Over-rotating the torso during the crossover
• Taking too long a stride and losing balance
• Letting the front heel slam down instead of landing softly