The rolling hitch is designed to resist lengthwise movement for only a single direction of pull.

[1] A common usage while sailing is for rigging a stopper to relax the tension on a sheet so that a jammed winch or block can be cleared.

[2] In 1841 Richard Henry Dana Jr. used the present-day names in his work The Seaman's Friend, and subsequent authors have continued to use this terminology.

Using stiff and slippery modern fiber ropes, the rolling hitch may be difficult to make hold at all.

The August 2009 edition of Practical Sailor magazine tested various knots used for lengthwise tension applications, and came to the conclusion that when using modern synthetic rope the rolling hitch could not be regarded as secure.