EPI / Exercise demonstration

Line Hops Front To Back

Quick, small front-to-back hops over a line to build rhythm, ankle/foot reactivity, and low-level plyometric tolerance before progressing to bigger jumps or single-leg work.

Plyometric ExercisesFree video guide

EPI video demonstration · Watch on YouTube

01 / Exercise guide

Muscles Targeted

Calves/soleus, foot intrinsics, quads/glutes (support), and lower-leg stiffness for quick ground contacts.

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Key Benefits

  • Builds rhythm and quick contacts with minimal setup
  • Great entry-level plyometric option
  • Supports ankle/foot resilience for running and court sports
  • Easy to scale by speed and time
Small hops. Quiet feet. Tall posture.
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Equipment Needed

A visible line (tape, chalk, seam in flooring, or a stick).

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How to Perform Line Hops Front To Back

  1. Stand with feet together and a line under the middle of your stance.
  2. Hop front-to-back over the line with small, quick contacts.
  3. Keep knees soft and land quietly.
  4. Maintain a steady rhythm and upright posture.
  5. Stop when contacts get heavy or sloppy.
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Programming Options

  • 2–5 sets of 10–30 seconds
  • Rest 45–90 seconds
  • Start slower; build speed as control improves
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Why This Variation Works

Repeated quick contacts train lower-leg stiffness and coordination without requiring big jump heights.

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When to Use It

Warm-ups, low-level plyometric blocks, return-to-impact progressions, or short conditioning bursts.

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Related Plyometric Exercises

Explore the Plyometric Exercises category for single-leg line hops and lunge jump switches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I jump high?

No—keep hops small and focus on quick, quiet contacts.

How fast should I go?

Fast enough to feel springy, slow enough to stay controlled. Increase speed gradually.

What if my shins/calf get irritated?

Reduce time and speed, and build volume slowly over weeks.

Keep exploring

More exercises in this collection

Explore other videos in Plyometric Exercises. These movements are related by category, not necessarily direct progressions.

Educational exercise information only. This is not an individualized treatment plan. Modify or stop any exercise that worsens symptoms, and seek appropriate professional guidance when needed.