Jump rope tips to make or break your success: the five things everyone should know

When people see videos of me jumping in the first lockdown in 2020, they’re often quite surprised at my progress. They feel like they can’t improve as fast as I did.

But jump rope is something you can learn and get better at in a short amount of time – especially if you pay attention to these five top tips!

If you want to get better at jump rope, these five essential tips are for you. They’re practical, beginner-friendly, and will help you avoid common jump rope mistakes that can slow your progress.

Whether you're brand new or want to improve your jump rope technique, these will make or break your jump rope journey, so make sure you action them straight away.

Tip 1: Pick the right jump rope

Rope type matters. A lot.

Beginners need to avoid wire ropes and ropes with mechanical handles.

Instead, stick to PVC or beaded ropes.

Tip 2: Work out the correct jump rope length

I cannot stress enough the importance of having the right rope length.

Most beginners start with a rope that is way too long; they’re worried about hitting themselves with it and think a long rope will give them extra time to jump.

But, having a long rope means you have to put your hands out to the side of your body, making it really difficult to get the rope swinging properly.

Finding the correct rope length will make or break your jump rope journey, but it can take a little bit of trial and error to get right. You can sign up to receive my FREE jump rope quick-start guide, which will show you the process.

Tip 3: Don’t overdo it

I say it time and time again: doing too much too is one of the most common jump rope mistakes – and the cause of many injuries.

While it’s tempting to launch into really long training sessions several times a week, you’re better off starting with a few minutes a day and then gradually increasing the time you’re jumping for.

“Little and often” is the key to getting better at jump rope!

Tip 4: Perfect your jump rope form to rotate your rope efficiently

If you can really master this, I promise it’ll be a game-changer.

The energy you need to rotate the rope comes from your elbows, not your wrists.

Moving your wrists – and your arms – in big circles is really inefficient.

Instead, flex your elbows up and down to create the perfect speed and trajectory for the rope to move. This small adjustment can seriously level up your jump rope technique.

Tip 5: Practise jump rope tricks without jumping

Learning a new technique while jumping, moving the rope, and constantly thinking is tiring 😮‍💨

And it can really hinder your success.

One of the best jump rope tips I can offer? Use low-impact drills to teach you the correct body position without sapping your energy.

Using low-impact drills is a smart way to avoid common jump rope mistakes, especially when you're just starting out and still learning how to get better at jump rope.

Every skill I teach in the Fancy Feats app has its own set of drills, which help you master the movement before you even touch a rope.

More top tips on how to get better at jump rope

If you want more details on any of the make-or-break tips above, today is your lucky day. I filmed a YouTube video explaining how following this advice can help you jump like a pro.