Dock handler throws knot to secure boat - GIF

[Drew1966]

It’s actually not too hard, once you learn how. But that’s true of everything.

[Nick79]

I taught watersking my Freshman college summer. We eventually got good at doing this working at it every day when tying up the boats.

[Toolmaker51]

It's all Bos'un Mate 101. . . Probably started two days after the first historic cleat was mounted on a dock. It's not hard with braided line, twist line not so well behaved, but we're spoiled now.
The gif's depict day sailors, pitching line to snare a cleat was imperative when freeboard and gunwales were 20' above the dock.

[Ralphxyz]

I can see how they get the wrap but how do they get the hitch? Just flicking their wrist differently?

Ralph

[Toolmaker51]

Had to describe via text, but not much different than drawing a figure in the air, with just bare friction paying out line then clamping a bit to halt. A little flick creates the hitch, another settles it on the cleat.
80% of boat owners do it two handed and twist the hitch under; on a 30'er your fingers will just get sore if caught inside. A real vessel or something really pitching and/or rolling, you'll wind up with a nickname.

[Frank S]

Had to describe via text, but not much different than drawing a figure in the air, with just bare friction paying out line then clamping a bit to halt. A little flick creates the hitch, another settles it on the cleat.
80% of boat owners do it two handed and twist the hitch under; on a 30'er your fingers will just get sore if caught inside. A real vessel or something really pitching and/or rolling, you'll wind up with a nickname.

Stubby or stumpy comes to mind