Are you jumping rope properly?

by D. Levenson

Nobody can jump rope adeptly after their first try, no matter how long they watch others and try to copy all their moves.

While jumping rope may look easy, it takes coordination, just like in any sport. So don’t be embarrassed if you look like a blunderbuss when you start out.

All of us have gone through it. The secret is to keep trying, and practice as much as you can. First, stand in an area where your rope won’t hit anything around you when you swing it.

Keep your feet about a foot apart and bend your knees a bit. Then, holding each end of the rope in a different hand, drape the rope behind you, against your back.

Keeping your elbows fairly close against your sides - not so close that they are touching your body, but not straight out to the sides swing the rope up and forward in one strong motion, so it goes over your head.

If the rope hits your head, you probably didn’t swing it high enough; possibly because your arms are too far out. The rope should arc around and swing down in front of you. As the rope swings down, watch it closely.

When it’s about a foot from your feet, rise to the balls of your feet. Jump up when the rope reaches them, so it can swing freely underneath.

If the rope catches against your feet, either you didn’t jump high enough, or you didn’t swing the rope hard enough. After you can successfully jump over the rope one time, try swinging the rope continuously and jumping without stopping.

If you can’t keep it up, start over and practice jumping once several times. Then go back to trying to do it in succession.

When you’ve succeeded, keep practicing, and soon you’ll be jumping rope like a pro.