Sorry, Bo, but my Bindi is the same way.  I’ve been told on here that some bunnies just do not like to be held at all.  It’s really hard for me to accept that because my other bunny was such a snuggle bug and I thought that was the way ALL bunnies acted, but I guess not.  Sorry I’m not very helpful, but I definitely feel your pain. 

Most buns don’t enjoy being held, they’re just not that kind of pet. Sometimes you can luck out and get one that doesn’t mind it, but doesn’t happen often. They’d rather just sit with you rather than be held.

A lady from the House Rabbit Society advised pressing gently but firmly on the rabbit’s back or shoulders with the four index fingers of your right hand (if you are right handed) pressing him toward the floor while hooking your right thumb under its front paws and scooping its bottom with your other hand before promptly hoisting the rabbit up to your chest. If your bunny panics while you try to hook your thumb under its front legs just support the bunny with your thumb behind its legs, press down on its back with your other fingers and this can have a calming affect on the bunny and make it feel more secure when its lifted because its being pressed against the floor first where bunnies like to be. My first bunny Lash would let me hook my thumb under her front legs but she was very patient and calm about being picked up all the time as long as my thumb didn’t touch her nipples as they were sensitive and filled with milk most of the time (she was never spayed much to my regret).  I could even reach for her from a lying down position when she was behind my head and pick her up securely that way!  She trusted me whereas I don’t pick up Buddie as much because he is always in his pen therefore he hasn’t grown accustomed to being picked up the way Lash did, and he panics and tries to kick when I’m about to lift him like yours does, but I find he remains calm if I press down on his back, he feels more secure being pressed against the floor and might try to kick just a little if I’m not swift about cradling his rear.  I usually am able to prevent him from kicking by cradling his bottom in my other hand quickly such that his hind legs are in a curled position and can’t kick. I also always try to bring him to my chest quickly where he will feel secure again with something to rest against. It improves with practice. And liifting and holding your bunny frequently will get him or her more accustomed to being picked up and trusting you. Just make sure you don’t trip! Hope this may help. Good luck.

Yes, bringing their feet to your body helps them feel more secure and can prevent them from kicking out. I find covering their eyes or tucking the head into my elbow if I have them across me helps some. Then, when I put them down, I crouch then let them hop off themselves. Regular picking up, holding a for a brief time then releasing them can help get them more accustomed to it. Not necessarily like it, but not fight it so much either. Of course a small treat afterwards always helps too!

Another way to hold them, which is kind of what Jersey is describing, is sometimes called a football hold. It’s where you pick them up with one hand under their chest in front and one under the butt, but you let them rest along your whole arm, face into elbow, hand of that arm supporting their butt like a chair and their whole body resting against your side ribs. Think tucked football just before running. He’s not on his back, which most bunnies don’t like, is supported under all legs and tummy with your arm, plus pulled into your body. He may like that way better.

If you go onto YouTube and search for picking up or holding rabbits, you should find some good videos from bunny rescue experts that demonstrate ways to lift and hold your bunny properly. A visual lesson can often help.