The Set Up
Shoes
Wear athletic shoes such as cross training or running shoes that provide support.

Surface
Jump on an athletic surface such as a sport court or hard wood floor.  Adults should avoid jumping on hard or concrete surfaces. At home piece of plywood sized 4×6 or so can turn any spot into a jump rope platform.

General Sizing & Buying Guide:

• Ages 4-5 = 7′ Rope

• Elementary = 8′ Rope

• 5’7-5’10 = 9′ Rope

• 5’11 and taller = 10′ Rope

Types of Ropes

• Licorice speed ropes are the most common and affordable and most versatile rope. Perfect for elementary through high school P.E.

• Long Handled Freestyle ropes provides an extra long handle for performing skills with more ease. These are more costly and better for individual use.

• Wire Ropes are used for speed and double unders.

• Beaded Ropes are used for anything really. I use them for Double Dutch and Partner Routines such as Wheel, Shared Rope and Buddy Jumping

Adjusting Your Rope – Tie Some Knots 

Some ropes come with an adjustable function inside of the handle.  These adjustments are really meant to be done one time. Adjusting over and over will compromise the component.

If you’d like your rope to be shorter temporarily, then simply tie a knot on the rope portion below the handle.  This option may be preferred, for example, where budgets are tight and only one rope size is being purchased.  In my program, I buy mostly 8′ ropes, and a few 9′ ropes. This will fit students aged 6-13. For younger or shorter students we will simply tie knots and then untie at the end of class.

During the learning phase of rope jumping, focus primarily on learning the rhythm and timing of rope jumping.  As your coordination improves, focusing on your posture, rope hold and rope spin will help you become more efficient and proficient.
Keep your hands in just below your hips.  This will make your rope feel longer.  Ever so slightly, shrug your shoulders.

•  If you rope feels too long or is hitting the ground too much, adjust the length. The rope should barely graze the ground, right in front of your toes. 

• Position your elbows back BEHIND your body and your wrists angled down toward the ground.

• Spin the rope mostly with your wrists.  Doing so will take practice. 

• Only bend legs slightly to absorb the shock of your landing. Avoid kicking your heels back, or picking forward. 

• Jump on your toes, only jumping high enough to clear the rope. Heels should not touch the ground when you land. 

• In order to jump low to the ground, you’ll need to spin your rope fast.  Turn small quick circles with your wrists, just below your waist. 

• Try to jump at least 130 beats per minute (every time you jump counts as a beat) 

Build Coordination, Fitness and Timing, Over Time.
Very short bouts of proper rope jumping will yield faster results and better technique if you commit to a regular routine of jumping rope.  During any workout routine, whether it be weight training or cardio training, try any of these training suggestions:

Personal Best:
How long can you jump rope without breaking form or losing speed?  Stop, rest and repeat.  Try and beat your score.  Repeat one more time. That’s it. Come back in a day and try again.

10 and 10:
Jump for 10, rest 10 seconds.  Do this 10 times.

Skill Development:
Work on your basic bounce for 30 seconds.  Then rest.
Work through learning a new skill. Rest as much as needed.
As you can see, the point is not lengthy bouts of jump rope.  The initial phase should be moderately challenging and fun with focus on developing your timing and technique.

Patience and Practice
Rope jumping requires coordination and timing. The only way to improve is through regular practice.  Early on you’ll make a lot of mistakes.  It’s OK! Focus on effort and enjoyment, not results.  Through regular short sessions over time, your results will follow.