The invention relates to a method for detecting a user input for an input device having a plurality of switch elements, wherein a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture is detected. In doing so, at least one first and one additional switch element are marked sequentially in a specific sequence using the marking gesture, wherein initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element is marked. Using the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are selected sequentially in reverse sequence. Depending on the selected switch elements, control signals are generated and output. The invention furthermore relates to an input device having a plurality of switch elements, a control unit and a detection unit by means of which a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture is detectable. In doing so, at least one first and one additional switch element are markable sequentially in a specific sequence using the marking gesture, wherein initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element is markable. Depending on the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are sequentially selectable in the reverse sequence, and control signals can be generated and output depending on the selected switch elements.