![[Rec] Challenge! A roundup of jump rope tricks and techniques](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/uRnC9pc9jEQ/maxresdefault.webp)
[Rec] Challenge! A roundup of jump rope tricks and techniques
One exercise everyone is familiar with: jump rope.
Of course it’s a playground game, but since it’s also part of elementary school P.E.
classes, people of all ages have tried it.
That said, jump rope is also a prestigious sport with world championships.
Which means there are lots of so-called “tricks” as well.
In this article, we’ve compiled jump rope moves and techniques!
We’ve picked a wide range—from the most basic ways to jump to those that require quite a bit of practice.
It’s content we hope both adults and kids will try!
[Recreation] Challenge! Jump Rope Skills and Techniques Summary (1–10)
Peregrine falcon
The “hayabusa” is doing a regular forward jump (“maetobi”) and a cross jump (“ayatobi”) within a single hop.
Start by practicing without jumping: just hold the rope and swing it.
Once you can swing it quickly in a figure-eight motion, hold the rope in one hand and combine it with small jumps to get a feel for the movement.
Then it’s time to try for real! Bend your knees and jump high, focusing on making a big hand cross, and try for one successful jump.
After you land one, be careful not to drop your hips too low on landing, and then try for consecutive jumps.
monkey
The “Monkey,” with comically monkey-like movements that make a big impact, is a unique trick recommended for anyone getting bored with basic jumping.
Hold your rope-handling arms up and down, raise the leg on the same side as the rope’s rotation, and swing the rope under your raised leg through your crotch.
Finish by lifting the opposite leg and passing the rope through—then your Monkey is complete.
Because jump rope tricks involve lots of vertical motion, adding a move like the Monkey, which spreads sideways, makes a great accent when you perform a combo.
Why not master it as a savvy trick you won’t learn at school?
double under (jump rope)
The “double under,” where you spin the rope twice for each jump, is a coveted skill for jump rope beginners! People tend to focus on turning the rope faster, but the real key to double unders is getting the timing right.
Hold the rope firmly as if gripping a remote control, and once you can keep doing basic forward jumps with proper posture, it’s time to try double unders! First, get a feel for the timing by practicing without a rope: do one jump while tapping your thighs twice.
You can also practice spinning the rope rhythmically with one hand.
Once you’re comfortable, combine the jump with the rope.
Practice each step without rushing, and you’ll master the double under!
arm wrap
“Bored with the basic jumps already?” If so, why not try adding an “arm wrap” to your routine? The arm wrap is a trick where you spiral the rope around your arm.
After you swing the rope and bring it in front, guide it to either the left or right side.
If it’s on the right, rotate your right hand to wrap the rope around that hand; if it’s on the left, do the same with your left hand.
You can use it as a finishing pose, or you can carry the wrapped rope to the opposite side and unwrap it to connect different tricks.
If you want to go beyond just clearing tricks and aim for style, definitely give it a try!
Criss-cross
Cross Cross is a move where you switch the upper and lower hands while doing cross jumps.
Do one cross jump, then before the rope comes around again, switch the upper and lower hands and do another cross jump.
Repeat this sequence.
The key points for Cross Cross are to switch your hands within the area from your chest to your belly button, and to make sure both hands are level at the moment you jump.
If you follow these, you can keep the rope from wobbling and jump continuously.
If your hand heights are uneven after switching, the rope will distort as it comes down and is more likely to catch.
So first, practice switching your hands while turning the rope without jumping to get the feel, then combine it with the jump.
Side-open
The “side open” is where you swing the rope once at your side, then do a forward jump.
Swing it once on your right side, open your hands and do a forward jump; then swing it once on your left side, open your hands again, and do another forward jump.
The key to the side open is crossing your hands while you swing at your side.
Crossing first and then opening not only looks better, but also makes the rope less likely to tangle, which greatly increases your success rate.
If you add a higher jump, it will look stylish—almost like you’re combining it with a double under—so give it a try!
criss-cross double under (jump rope)
The “cross double under” involves doing double unders with your arms crossed.
Many people may know it by names like “Swallow” or “Flying Squirrel.” First, master the cross jump, where you make a big arm cross while jumping, and the double under, where you swing the rope twice in a single jump.
Once you can do both continuously, try the cross double under! You can start from the crossed-arm position or build momentum with regular forward jumps before crossing.
Practice using whichever timing feels easier to grasp.
crisscross jumping rope
The cross-arm jump, known as “aya-tobi,” is one of the more approachable jump-rope tricks.
Before the rope reaches your feet, cross your hands and jump over the rope while keeping them crossed.
The key to aya-tobi is smooth wrist rotation.
If you can smoothly “cross your hands, then return them to the original position,” you’ll avoid getting caught and be able to jump continuously.
Start by practicing without jumping: just turn the rope and cross your hands.
When you cross, make sure to really cross your arms so the space you’re jumping through is as wide as possible.
forward jump
Let’s start here by really mastering the basic forward jump.
It’s easy to think, “That’s simple,” but for kids just starting with jump rope, doing consecutive forward jumps can be tricky.
Two prerequisites are: keep the handles fixed pointing outward, and match the timing of the rope swing with your jump.
These are the absolute basics.
It might help to begin by holding the rope in one hand and swinging it at your side to get used to the rhythm.
From there, speed up bit by bit, and before you know it, you’ll be a forward-jump master!
back cross jump
The “behind-the-back cross jump,” where you jump with your hands crossed behind your body.
This skill tests both the flexibility to cross your arms firmly behind your back and the wrist mobility to turn the rope while your arms are fixed.
The key is where you cross your hands! You might feel it’s easier to swing the rope if you cross around the center of your back, but in fact, crossing lower—around just below the waist—makes it easier to maintain posture and to turn the rope.
It’s a tricky move that tends to shift your weight backward, but try incorporating mental imagery and practice steadily, little by little.