Although this is a trick I haven't quite mastered myself (only have been able to do it a handful of times) I would suggest waiting until the hoop is almost open on the front part of your stationary leg before putting your other leg back through. by the time you leg gets to the opening - the opening should be right there for your leg. of course this theory has better results written than practiced. good luck!

My current favorite tricks are arm weaving an staffing. Because I am more of a hoop dancer than a trickster, I find it hard to incorporate staffing into my dancing, but I just think it looks great and it'll look even better when it's burning!!

I'm in Orange County, CA and I haven't met any hoopers here. I drive an hour and a half to LA to meet up with other hoopers at least once a week.

I'm trying to learn how to kick up the hoop from the ground and kick it up the legs. I haven't gotten started because I have really sensitive ankles and knees. Any suggestions on protection and how to start the trick?

i've been working on knee hooping for a while now, getting comfortable with it by doing it while walking, with alternating legs being the dominant movers, bringing it back up. i just got the kicking one leg out thing, and for me the timing happened when i spun in the direction the hoop was going. that gave me just a little more time to get my leg back in, and it is sooo fun!! i can get into a rhythm and do it a bunch of times in a row, slowly spinning in the direction of the hoop.

as for kicking it up from the ground, the first night i got that one was after hooping like crazy at a party, all warmed up with shoes and pants on. that was much less painful than just bare legs. you just have to resign yourself to a few shin bruises until you figure that one out, but once you get it it's much easier and softer!

Oh muh goodness there's just so many... I'll "invent" new ones, and then forget about em two days later... There's so many cool tricks that I don't even know that I know... OOH! A couple I've been working on lately:

1- involves "staffing", When spinning it above your head, bring it down as though you were going to bring it around your back ( I hoop counterclockwise), but instead of bringing it all the way around, (here's the fun part!) kick your left leg out, let the hoop glide from hand, to mid shin, to ankle, while kicking your leg around your back, rotating the hoop on your foot as you go, and grab the hoop with your right hand as it comes from behind you! It looks pretty groovy I've been told...

2- You know that up and down trick? I have no idea what it's called lol... You'll have it spinning above your head, then you'll swoop it down around your waist and let it chill there, then you grab it behind your back, and swoop it back over your head. That one! Well you do the beginning step, where you bring it down,only you bring it down lower, like to your thighs... Here's the tricky part- while bringing it down around you, lift your left leg out of it, and have it go around one thigh... Then stick your leg back in it like a round peg in a round hole baby!

Much love to all my fellow hoopaholiks... Be safe, hoop often!

Hooping around your knees - I think I'd be satisfied with that - at least now.

I'm new to this. Hoping to meet some NY hoopers soon. Meanwhile, I've been all on my own. One of the things that got me stymied is hooping around my knees. I'm able to bring the hoop from my waist to my hips, but not usually for long before I feel like I have to bump it back up or it will fall to the floor. And I've never managed to get it to stay on my legs. I just wish you could give me some hints on how to do what You can do - how to hoop around my knees.

Alison in NY