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How do I Improve my Jump Rope Skills?

B. Miller
B. Miller

Jumping rope can be a great way to get in shape and have fun. The best way to improve your jump rope skills is simply to practice; most people aren't good at something the first time they try it, but with patience and persistence, it is possible to master a new skill. Jump rope skills can take time to improve, but the most important thing when trying to learn a new skill is repetition.

When first trying to improve your jump rope skills, just try simple jumping; throw the rope over the head and try to successfully complete one jump. At first, you may only be able to complete one or two jumps per time, but keep practicing, and keep trying to increase the amount of jumps you can sustain before you need to stop. In addition to improving your jump rope skills, this will also help to improve your aerobic endurance, and is a great way to get aerobic exercise.

Practicing the basic jump, which involves jumping up with both feet over the rope as it passes by the floor, can help build jump rope skills.
Practicing the basic jump, which involves jumping up with both feet over the rope as it passes by the floor, can help build jump rope skills.

Once you are able to sustain regular jumps with a jump rope, you might try to improve your jump rope skills by trying to jump twice for each cycle of the rope. This can improve your speed, and is another great way to build up endurance. In addition, varying the routine is a great way to improve your skills while jumping rope; there are a few different ways to do this.

Improving one's jump rope skills may involve buying an appropriate jump rope.
Improving one's jump rope skills may involve buying an appropriate jump rope.

You might try skipping while jumping, or trying to jog and jump rope at the same time. You might also try different tricks, such as jumping on one foot or sidestepping while jumping. There are many videos that can be found online for free that can help you develop specific jump rope skills. Remember that practice makes perfect, and that the best way to improve your skills is just to keep trying. You might also try to develop your own tricks to help you develop your jump rope skills, or to practice jumping with a longer rope with friends.

It is also important to buy an appropriate jump rope when trying to improve your jump rope skills. A toy jump rope for children is not a good choice for exercising; instead, buy a heavier jump rope designed for adults, with a nylon or rubber rope and sturdy handles. It should also be long enough so that when you are standing with both feet flat on the jump rope, the handles reach to approximately just under the armpits.

Discussion Comments

MissCourt

I just recently started jumping rope. I'm hoping to join the Army in the near future and I heard that jumping rope was a good way to toughen up. Combined with my new diet plan, I hope to be ready in the next four months.

What I would like to know is if anyone has any advise on particular jump rope exercises or routines that can help get me in shape. I've been looking around online on fitness websites, but everyone says something different about jump roping. Some people think it's bad for you and causes knee damage, while other people swear by it as the all-time perfect cardio workout.

Any advise?

MedicineBall

I recently got my daughter a jump rope and she loves it. It's a great way for her to go burn off energy that doesn't involve video gaming. She's little so the jump rope is kind of short.

When I got it for her, I tried to show her how to use it. I'm tall. I swung it really fast -- like I do with my heavy duty one -- and smacked myself right in the back of the head. Being the wise guy that I am, I tried a second time.

This time it caught between my toes and I fell over onto the lawn. My daughter wasn't impressed but she did a lot better than me when she used it. The length of the rope is important -- if it's too short, it will catch on your feet!

w00dchuck41

@minthybear19 - I've been jumping rope since I was a little kid. I think I was 8 years old when I got my first jump rope. That's all I spent my time doing. I got really good at it and actually went through a couple of talent shows.

This article is really right -- you just need to practice and be persistent. I fell and banged my head a couple of times, but it just made me more resilient.

Jumping rope is just as good as jumping on a trampoline to me. It moves your whole body and take agility. It's a great way to work out.

minthybear19

I took a jump rope fitness class before. It was very intense and really hard. I'm not the most coordinated person in the world and I'm far from graceful. I wanted a challenge.

We started off really simple for the first week -- just learning how to actually jump the rope. My teacher would come around and show us how to sling the rope and everything.

By the second week, she make the jump rope training way harder. We would have to switch between different types to the beat of a song.

It just got harder from there onward. I was happy to be done after the month. Now I just stick to bicycling and jogging.

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    • Practicing the basic jump, which involves jumping up with both feet over the rope as it passes by the floor, can help build jump rope skills.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Practicing the basic jump, which involves jumping up with both feet over the rope as it passes by the floor, can help build jump rope skills.
    • Improving one's jump rope skills may involve buying an appropriate jump rope.
      By: Syda Productions
      Improving one's jump rope skills may involve buying an appropriate jump rope.