An Inline 8 is tied to form the small loop of a Double Loop 8. The big loop is formed by running the rope around your anchor points and then tying an “inline 8 follow through”. The technique is the same if more anchor points are used.
The 2nd option in the video is in case we are critically short on hardware or it is just not available. Rope traveling across rope, especially when one is stationary (small loop) can cause serious damage to the line and should be avoided whenever possible.
