Side to side over the dome for explosive ankles.
Spring from the balls of your feet and land soft, stay reactive between hops.
Jumping side to side over or onto the dome trains your calves as shock absorbers and springs, loading them in the lateral plane where most training never goes. Each landing on bent knees and the balls of the feet asks the ankles to stabilise instantly before the next takeoff. It earns a spot for building the reactive, springy lower legs that side shuffles, skating strides and court sports run on.
Both are options, the steps allow landing on or over the dome. Landing on top adds a big stability challenge, clearing it keeps the tempo up. Beginners should clear it first and earn the dome landing.
You never leave the balls of your feet, so the calves handle every takeoff and every landing back to back. That constant loading is the point, it is what builds reactive ankle stiffness.
Skater jumps travel further and land on one leg, making them more of a glute and balance move. Lateral jumps over the dome stay tighter and quicker, keeping the focus on calf spring and rhythm.
