Learn to Fix Common Jump Rope Mistakes

Learn how to detect and solve five of the most common jump rope errors with Shana Brady, Punk Rope's director of training. Fix errors like stray elbows, dropped hands, the heel kick reflex, and more.
To learn more about Punk Rope including our jump ropes, classes, workshops, monthly newsletter, and Jump Rope Instructor Certification, please visit www.punkrope.com.
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Hop on,
Tim & Shana

[@callmewitcher5069]

this video is criminally under rated, i've watched over 20 videos with million views or half million none of them mention EARLY/overly fatiguing yourself do to jumping too high, or hopping too many times between rope rotations! i kept wondering why i was feeling like death at around 30 seconds, i was jumping WAY TOO high, bending my knees way to far back and jumping about 3-4 times between EACH rope rotation, ... lol!

[@jinesh23]

Thanks for pointing out the common mistakes made by the beginners of rope jumping. A helpful video !

[@brazil70]

I'm 32 & have just started learning how to skip - it's not easy & these are some good tips!

[@akashsaxena3589]

that was so en lighting,the 4th one,the distinction thing.turn-jump,turn-jump..that taught a lot.thank you so much.

[@lazza61]

thanks, I am a 51 yo male who could never jump rope but your videos have taught me how. I'm really greatful for your help.

[@meredithdoubleu]

I haven't jumped rope since high school gym class. I recently bought one in the hopes that I could use it a few times a week to help lose some weight. These tips are so helpful. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the motivation to get my butt outside and actually use the jump rope!

[@MrLeftyno1]

Just started jumping rope and found this video very helpful ,think i am doing 2 or 3 things wrong ,but can work on them know because of watching this video, thanks.

[@bookadehuk]

And the Oscar goes to Shana! =) Thanks for the vid guys! Very helpful!

[@PunkRopeNYC]

thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyjhouser]

Thanks for sharing these tips! I learned a lot from just the brief examples you gave!

[@DocLawrenz]

very helpful. I was guilty of problem # 4 and was about to give up..... the jump rope THANKS A LOT.

[@Warmsunset26]

As I'm a novice/beginner, this film section was helpful. Thank you.

[@TheTrueGamer2]

Thanks for the video helped me some of my problems skipping.

[@36shreyas]

Thanks for making the video it helped me a lot!

[@Waterplant007]

That's really helpful :D, thanks. Now I know where it went wrong when I was younger. I always got frustrated when the rope hit my legs and thought that the rope wasn't good in stead of thinking my 'jumping-skills' weren't done correctly.

[@123bathinapes]

A few days ago I started jumping rope because running was too strenuous on my knees. I just got done with my fourth session, and although I don't make any of these mistakes, I can't go for more that 10-20 jumps without failing. My speed is about similar to hers at 3:33, and I try to jump no more then an inch off the ground. I'm hoping it will get better with time, because it's pretty frustrating to fail every 7 seconds.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

I hope it's gotten much better!

[@ljrichter]

Trying to teach my son to jump rope, and this is the best tutorial I've found! Thanks so much!

[@tommyr91w]

Thanks so much for this! My gym uses ropes for warm-ups, and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Now I see that I was guilty of doing almost every one of these. All the other beginner skipping videos didn't go nearly as in depth. Great job!

[@lilmihan2400]

Very helpful video, I realized what I was doing wrong. Thanks!

[@AthariAYagoub]

Thank you so much!! I was looking for exactly this kind of tips! I watched it with my girls and now we are practising , Thank youTim and Shauna ! ;)

[@AAAdeeno]

This is a really helpful video, thanks. I kept my arms extended the whole time and you're right; it is doable but I get tired easily.

[@AdnanKhan-jo8qn]

first mistake is excessively common among the beginners. It helped me for now to start progressing from the beginning level. Thanks for the information. Cheers!

[@ula6222]

As a roper for 40+ years, the best advice I can share is: Jump/Dance to music....dancing while jumping is so much fun!Use a cheap "speed rope" made of flexible vinyl....not Leather or real rope. Leather will dry out, rope will fray.Leather is heavy...rope is too light. Wear boxer type sneakers....not running sboes. Mine are red fabric w laces. I put a thin insert inside and wear thick socks. Don't tie laces too tight, but double knot and tuck in extra length. Rotate wrists quickly, jump on balls of feet just high enough to clear rope. Dont rotate arms/shoulders in big circles.....there's no need."Centrifugal force" propels the rope around, more than anything else. It's the music from my headphones that keeps me hopping....for over 40 years!I also jog with the rope too.....which gives me an upper body workout at the same timeas cardio/legs. good luck

[@ula6222]

Hi! I started in USMC , by jogging with jump rope for 3-miles. I just fell in love with it and have jumped w headphones down the city streets..... sometimes at 4-5am. I NEVER see anyone using a rope. Many have adked, "how do you do that"? Or "wow you're good!"...but still, no one will do it!! To us, it's very easy, but I guess it's not... anyway..if I'm still going at it at my age....it must be fun! Lol . Thanks for response!

[@jlynn0983]

For some reason I will jump over the rope and then have to jump twice more before the rope comes around again would this be because I am jumping too early?

[@carlosroberto366]

cristal clear explanations there, awesome!

[@kennykrabss]

Very Helpful

[@3aBap4uK]

Very nice and helpful. Thanks!

[@themontevi1]

@haft2bfit Thanks for your help. I will keep my elbows in and rotate my wrists more. Two of five common errors - ugh! Thanks again.

[@RooniTunes]

This was great. I've been jumping rope just like I did when I was a kid. Even though I have watched numerous jump rope videos, it never occurred to me how I was doing it wrong right out the gate! Ha! Thanks so much for these explanations!!

[@HanyH]

Outstanding video! Sharing it with a fellow jumper who is doing great, but will do even greater when he understands about heels/reflex.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Thanks so much Hany! I think this is a really old one. We probably shot it on Super 8 :-)

[@alternativeblue123]

Very useful tips, thanks.!

[@mrfonz8034]

Good video, something simple we did as kids we are having trouble doing now, lol.

[@saravananr4416]

finally I got to know my mistake. thanks guys

[@rameshsubramanian863]

thank you... i am beginner.. very helpful for me... thank you once again.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

you are most welcome!

[@ohoyen7209]

Very useful tips! Tq

[@mrwisem4n]

Problem 3 sorted. Thanks :)

[@coffeeabuse]

Thank you! On my way!

[@alexwilson7235]

I like the way you explain thank you again

[@Pretty_princess222]

how do I stop catching the rope on my ankles or inbetween my legs when I jump?

[@Cap661]

Good tips all around.

[@harrisakhtar454]

People who are pros at this seem to do it effortlessly. For some reason I feel like I always have my legs and feet stuck together when jumping. Maybe I should bend my legs, ankles, more? I'm seeing other people's comments - I'll try to send in a video

[@Szederp]

Very informative!

[@Kaplan0644]

good video, funny demonstration :) thanks

[@limecherry1212]

Im the Typical Man. I CAN DO ANYTHING.. Built my running up to 10 miles non stop.. Then i said, let me try something new. HOW ABOUT JUMP ROPE! Bought a rope and it was a TRAGEDY. Much respect to all you, this video was amazing and has helped me come along way in such short time

[@PhenomenalDoe]

This helped me a lot! Thank you!

[@PhenomenalDoe]

Tim, I will! Thank you!!!

[@chiwaichanconz]

Good video!

[@ClawedMonet12]

Thanks!!

[@ItsJakeTheBrake]

@haft2bfit thx for the advice. Indeed I was dropping my hands too much, everything works pretty good now. But its still going to take some time until I can challenge my dad (former boxer) lol Thx again

[@BCeltic98]

alright man ill be sure to try it out, i do boxing so we do a lot of skipping and the hand cramps make me have to keep stopping. I'll be sure to try it out :)

[@Kdnce]

@haft2bfit Thanks for all the info on this video and the other. Love your site, really cool stuff! Which rope would you recommend for a beginner? I was thinking the Celtic Thunder Rope because it is in my height range. Plus the colors rock. Love the Creamsicle 14' Long/Double Dutch haha! Super rad. I like the Beast Heavy Rope the best but I think starting out maybe I should shoot for something a bit more simple. Thanks again for all the info and tips!

[@ErickMaciasJuarez]

@haft2bfit That's just what I'm doing, that "half-step" in between jumps: I move the rope slow, but at the same time I kinda try to jump fast, and screw it up very soon. I will keep on practicing it, I have to go slow with both my hands and my feet to get it right and then I guess I will be able to do it at a faster pace.

[@Kdnce]

@haft2bfit I will check out your ropes! I have two right now. One is too short using the standard step on the rope and place the handles under your armpits method for adjusting. The other I have is weighted and adjustable. Sometimes it feels like the rope isn't heavy enough, the handles are bu the rope feels light. Love the Punk Rope name btw ... NYC?

[@RooniTunes]

Um, well (hand raised), me for one. I have been kicking my feet back because that's how I jumped rope as a kid, so this was a very helpful tutorial. Plus the reason they made the tutorial in the first place was because of the mistakes they have seen students making.

[@themontevi1]

Great job! Thanks for posting. If you get a chance...what am I doing wrong?

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Post a video so we can take a look.

[@ItsJakeTheBrake]

Thx a lot for the tips, but I have a different problem: I hit my head with the rope. What am I doing wrong? Are my hands to low?

[@lync254]

Hi, i always seem to hit the cord with my feet after 10-20 jumps, and i can't seem to figure out the problem,any way to fix that?

[@abdulshameel4767]

Excellent and how many types of skipping

[@Mokeadunni]

I just brought a rope and I think my rope is too long. How could I shorten it?

[@petlay12]

I love your jump rope made I love it

[@rendygerrard6854]

I never skip before this vids really help,how long should the rope be for 5feet 3 inch guy like me to properly do skipping.

[@rendygerrard6854]

oh,never mind i already found it.

[@rendygerrard6854]

Thanks Mr tim haft,i hope you will have a lot of sucess in youtube.

[@SelenaYuezh]

I cant help doing two mini jumps. Like, I'll jump the rope but till it comes down again, I cant help doing a mini jump. I tried increasing the speed at which I turn the rope, but almost fell down

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Try practicing without the rope first. Commit that feeling to memory and then try with the rope again. It can take a little time before you're able to get rid of the mini bounce.

[@plutopowered1116]

I'm curious. Without shoes (I jump without shoes) I'm approximately 5'11 and I recently bought a 9" Rival jump rope which appears to be the right size but I seem to catch my feet a lot, interrupting my jump roping. I had a weighted rope which was shorter that I jumped with frequently with no problems (except it was much more tiring). Should I just get a shorter rope? It seems that people my size are supposed to have the 9" rope but it feels like it might be a bit too long.

[@jhowardsupporter]

***** well you run that past the women, im thinking while doing that tandem rope jump thing the women try to push each other with points gained for knocking down the opponent and points lost for touching the rope. foxy clothing is a must. a bit like roller derby.

[@xXxNosPrincessxXx]

I seem to always get caught up on my right foot. I think I can't get the timing right. Is it normal for your calves to hurt like crazy after jumping rope? I see people on here doing it for very long periods of time. I jump maybe 50 times and my calves are screaming. Any stretches or tips to help this? great video by the way - very informative and hilarious at the same time. I lost it on the rocket launcher lol I remember kids doing that in gym glass back in the day lol

[@Bump809]

im having the same problem and its really frustrating...did u fix your form? and if so, how?

[@Amber-sb7zw]

I know how to jump rope but in my school I have to do 140 really fast

[@DannyhuThe]

Yup.Thanks,now i know how to jump. :D

[@DuhaMohammad]

Turn, Jump...Turn, Jump...Turn, Jump. I'll remember that the next time I jump. Thanks a lot.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Keep us posted on how you do.

[@BCeltic98]

okay for some strange reason my hands cramp when i skip, im good at skipping but i have to stop because my palm like nearer my thumb cramps up. Any ways of helping with this?

[@mozaydarrr]

damm its so frustrating!!! the rope keeps hitting my heel!! I cant figure out the right problem with my rope jumping, one thing im sure about, the rope is of perfect length. Mind if i send u a video of my rope-jumping? so you could point out my mistakes...that'll be a huge help. p.s. tell me where to send u the vid.

[@mozaydarrr]

+Punk Rope thanks a bunch man, i appretiate that! ill probably send one tomorrow.

[@IvoryDoll]

[@georgeorr-wilcox1128]

Just a thought, is jump rope (skipping over here) good or bad for planta fasiata? Nice video, thanks

[@PunkRopeNYC]

It can definitely aggravate plantar fasciitis.

[@BAK87]

Gotta love the rocket launcher :)

[@ekhornbeck127]

damn you youtube... how did i end up on skipping??? i started out with dr dre....!

[@bbfc3x]

funny

[@99sasanka]

That be like that fam , that be like that ,lmao .

[@zhouyee1122]

Hey ! I still cnt solve the first problem :(( . I keep kicking my heels up! And when I dont, I only jump with one foot. >.> .Help?

[@ljrichter]

@haft2bfit Thank you so much! :-)

[@themontevi1]

@haft2bfit Thanks, I will!

[@Pathfinfer11]

Sometimes when i do this the rope catches my head. How do you fix this?

[@OldOneShoe]

Jason Folkes My issue was the rope was going limp. I saw another vid for beginners that mentioned keeping the rope tight so I just started making wider circles with my wrists; this way I am controlling the rope. If it helps, imagine you are whipping it forward. I also think this is why I would get it caught in between my feet. Now the only reason I have to stop jumping is to catch my breath. :)

[@jasamkrafen]

I think I have made all these mistakes before i got it right.

[@tabo01]

I saw one trick jump rope video, the gilr was prone on the ground, face down, both handles in her right hand. she then twirled the rope down, and flopped like a fish over the rope. I said "I'll try that next time I'm at the gym" right.

[@rishabhjha2561]

I have a problem can u solve it when I skip rope my one hand always remain lock and the other wrist give the swing to rope for which extra pressure is exerted on my right leg and I experience a huge pain can u tell me some exercise to solve this problem

[@PunkRopeNYC]

I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing pain. It sounds like it would help to mobilize the wrist that remains locked. We suggest you practice the windmill swing with the locked wrist...every...single...day. Try to get both wrists to do the same amount of work. But if you have pain in your leg then something else might be going on. If you post a video we can take a look.

[@Kdnce]

Think I do all of these errors, gah! I soo suck at jumping rope. First try tonight and I could do no more than 10 in a row w/o failing. Jumping so high hurt my knee :( Totally straighten my arms too. I thought I had the right length rope but I think I am wrong. Going to keep at it with these pointers in mind. If only I could levitate so I could master just the rotating the rope part first lol

[@NurAini-bb7sh]

I had a knee pain (on the right leg) after i did the jump rope. Why is that happening and what can i do about it?

[@PunkRopeNYC]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_UdoGuZbB0pcU

[@armandopaura5540]

Good vid, funny rocket launcher :)

[@mpitkoff]

StuyTown, nice

[@tanveergujjarfitness7730]

Great

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Thanks for watching. We have a more current version which is more comprehensive.

[@tanveergujjarfitness7730]

My pleasure

[@limecherry1212]

Do you sell those mats she is standing on?? the concrete is killing my legs but its the only place in my yard that has even ground

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Dollamur makes great jump rope mats.

[@LeedsGoNasty]

Why can I reverse jump rope, with the rope out in front of me going backwards, but not like this. I do boxing and soccer so it is important for me to learn

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Some people are more comfortable turning the rope backwards. With practice, you'll be able to turn the rope forwards equally well.

[@OcelotDAD]

I have trouble with my breathing... it's like im so concentrated on skipping the rope I don't really know when to breathe in haha

[@YoMommaSmellLikeHotDogWater]

Jump and swing at the same time.... yep.... that was me. Too ambitious swing.... yep.... that was me too.

[@nniicc]

Rope N' Roll Doctor

[@sineadregan923]

That has lerind my how to skip

[@joelorenz2024]

OK. That was pretty much all of mine. LOL

[@DannyhuThe]

Always stuck with mistake 1 and 4.

[@PunkRopeNYC]

How's it going now?

[@BelleActually]

Lol she looks so funny when she does the what not to do parts

[@aasimahmed6170]

only helpful video

[@kliu8528]

ty this helped a lot i remember first time i tried a kickboxing class i looked retarded trying to jump he was like just do high knees lol

[@RachelPen7]

Please help,My jump rope keeps flopping on my shoulders or keep get stuck in between my legs this helped but it keeps getting stuck ;(

[@PunkRopeNYC]

Post a video so we can take a look

[@dookieboy81]

why is my right foot always getting tangled with the rope and i end up getting whipped no matter how much i put my right foot closer to the other its just ultimately attracted to the rope and i end up with 10 lashes per session its really pissing me off i should quit and just run

[@roufeyel7866]

Rope always hit the back of my head

[@PunkRopeNYC]

mexican boy make sure you’re keeping your hands up through the entire turning cycle

[@roufeyel7866]

@@PunkRopeNYC thx for caring. Pls any tip to grow tall?im 14

[@PunkRopeNYC]

mexican boy eat really well!

[@1755ottoman]

Shoe recommendations? Ropeix out of business?

[@tabo01]

I used to go to a boxing gym, and now am at LA fitness. I see the classes, and they are acting like they are jumping rope, punching a bag, & hitting a speed bag. GET A ROPE! HIT A BAG! I am trying to get LA fitness to hang a speed bag, as they have heavybags, but not enough for a class.