How long should my rope be?

Stand in the middle of your single rope with both feet on the rope, the top of your handles should reach just under your armpits.

Skipping

BEFORE YOU START!

Before any rope skipping begins it is important to separate the two major components that allow a skipper to be successful:

Jumping, and
Turning

How to be a STAR Jumper

A good jumper needs:

to stand up straight with knees slightly bent
to have shoulders back and head up
to jump approximately 5cm off the ground on the balls of the feet
with arms slightly in front of hips

How to be a STAR Turner

A good turner needs:

to choose the correct rope length - stand in the middle of your single rope with both feet on the rope, the top of the handles should reach just under your armpits. Don't tie knots in ropes - have your handles adjusted.
to have elbows close to the body
to have hands out evenly at about 20cm away from the body
to have hands about waist height in front of the body
to move hands - 'back - up - over' and repeat

How to be a STAR Skipper

Now that you have practised jumping and turning its time to put it together!

Step 1: revise jumping skills without the ropes

Step 2: revise turning with two ropes one in each hand - no jumping

Step 3: now try turning and jumping together (See our skills page to learn new and exciting tricks)

Health and Safety

Don't forget to do a dynamic warm up to music and stretch prior to any exercise. Skipping should be done in a safe environment with a flat, smooth surface. Skippers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear and should check their shoelaces are tied before they begin. Allow enough space between skippers to ensure their ropes do not hit each other. Competition skipping ropes are designed for their ease of use, their light weight and how they maintain their form - as such skippers should protect their ropes by avoiding skipping on uneven surfaces - gravel, pavers, grass and carpet. Check out our warm up ropes and equipment -

Single Rope One skipper with one rope - learn lots of individual tricks

Partners Two or more skippers with one rope - share skipping with your friends.

Long Rope One long rope with two turners and any number of skippers.

Double Dutch Two ropes with two turners - one or two jumpers inside the ropes.