Updated: November 9, 2026 · By René Schmidt
Short answer: Learn the criss cross in stages: first the crossed arm position without jumping, then a single crossed jump from standing, then the open-cross-open pattern. Cross the arms deep (hands toward the opposite hip), keep the handles pointing outward and jump slightly earlier than you think. A solid basic bounce step comes first.
The criss cross is often the first trick people want after the basic jump. It looks complicated, but it is mostly a question of arm position and timing. This page splits the move into small drills. If the basic jump is not yet stable, start with my step-by-step guide on how to jump rope and come back later.
I have filmed the criss cross several times for my German YouTube channel; three related videos are linked below. The descriptions of the drills on this page are written for this guide, not taken from a manufacturer.
What happens in a criss cross
In an open jump, the rope forms a wide loop beside and over your body. When you cross your arms, the loop shrinks because the hands move toward the middle. That is why the rope often hits the toes on the first attempts. The solution is not to jump higher, but to cross deeper so that the loop stays large enough.
| Problem | Typical cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rope hits the toes on the crossed jump | Arms cross only at the wrists | Cross at the forearms, hands toward the opposite hip |
| Rope stops behind you after the cross | Uncrossing too early or too late | Open the arms as the rope passes over the head |
| Rope twists and loses tension | Handles point down or inward | Keep the handle ends pointing out to the sides |
| Jump comes too late | Waiting for the rope as in the basic jump | Jump a fraction earlier while the arms are crossing |
| Only one arm crosses | Dominant hand does all the work | Practice the crossed position in front of a mirror |
Drill 1: The crossed position without jumping
Hold both handles and cross your arms in front of the belly, one forearm over the other. The hands point toward the opposite hip, the handle ends point outward. Look at the rope: it should hang as a wide loop behind you. If it drags tightly, cross deeper. Change which arm is on top from time to time.
Drill 2: A single crossed jump from standing
Start with the rope behind you and the arms already crossed. Swing the rope over your head and jump through the crossed loop once. Stop. Repeat this several times. This drill removes the hardest part, the crossing during the turn, and shows you how big the loop has to be.
Drill 3: Open, cross, stop
Now jump one normal open jump, cross the arms during the next turn and jump through the crossed loop, then stop. The arms begin to cross when the rope is above your head. If you cross too early, the rope stalls; if you cross too late, it hits the feet.
Drill 4: Open, cross, open
The full pattern adds the uncrossing: open jump, crossed jump, open jump. The arms open again while the rope travels over the head after the crossed jump. Count out loud if it helps: "open, cross, open". Practice short sequences and stop before your form falls apart.
Drill 5: Linking several criss crosses
Once the single pattern works, chain it: open, cross, open, cross. Keep the jumps small and the rhythm even. Some people later hold the arms crossed for several jumps in a row; that variation is harder because the shoulders work more.
Rope length and rope type for the cross-over
The criss cross needs a rope that is long enough. A rope that works well for fast basic jumps can feel short when the arms cross. If you keep catching the toes despite a deep cross, test the move with a slightly longer setting. My sizing guide explains how to measure.
A rope with some weight makes the loop easier to feel. According to Crossrope (checked on November 9, 2026), the Get Lean Set combines Slim Handles with a 1/4 lb and a 1/2 lb rope and is the set Crossrope recommends for beginners. I mention it because the two weights let you compare the feeling, not because the move requires a special rope. Product page: ☞ Get Lean Set on crossrope.com.
For faster skill work later, my page on speed rope vs weighted rope explains which rope class fits which goal.
The videos below are from my German YouTube channel. Each video is in German, but easy to follow by watching, because the movements and the equipment speak for themselves.
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: KREUZDURCHSCHLAG LERNEN UND UEBEN (Criss Cross for Jumprope)
Video: KREUZDURCHSCHLAG LERNEN UND UEBEN – Criss Cross for Jumprope (video in German, easy to follow).
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: SEILSPRINGEN KREUZDURCHSCHLAG UEBEN
Video: SEILSPRINGEN KREUZDURCHSCHLAG UEBEN (video in German, easy to follow).
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: MUSIKVIDEO SEILSPRINGEN mit Double Under und Kreuzsprung
Video: MUSIKVIDEO SEILSPRINGEN with double under and cross jump (video in German, easy to follow).
Who this guide is for, and who should wait
A good fit: people who can jump the basic bounce step for at least a minute with few mistakes and want the first trick; returners who remember the criss cross from school and want to relearn it in a structured way.
Better wait: if the basic jump still breaks down after a few turns, practice that first. If you have shoulder, wrist or joint problems, ask a doctor or physiotherapist before you add crossing movements.
The honest downsides
- Many misses at the start: the rope will hit the feet often; that is part of learning the move.
- Shoulder fatigue: holding the crossed position is tiring at first, so keep sets short.
- Space: a cross-over needs a little more room to the sides and enough ceiling height.
- Rope length compromise: a slightly longer rope helps the cross but can feel slow for basic jumps.
Cheaper alternatives
The criss cross can be learned with any simple PVC or beaded rope of the right length. A beaded rope keeps its shape well and makes the loop easy to see. I do not compare prices of other brands here. If you already own a modular rope system, you can also add a single rope via the ☞ Crossrope ropes collection instead of buying a complete set.
FAQ
What is a criss cross in jump rope?
A criss cross (also called cross-over) is a jump where you cross your arms in front of the body while the rope passes under your feet. In the usual pattern you alternate: one open jump, one crossed jump, one open jump again.
Why does the rope hit my feet when I cross my arms?
When the arms cross, the loop of the rope gets smaller. If your hands cross only at the wrists, the loop becomes too short and catches the feet. Cross deeper, so that the hands reach toward the opposite hip and the forearms overlap.
Do I need a special rope for the criss cross?
No. Any rope with the right length works. A slightly longer rope can make the first crossed jumps easier because the loop stays bigger. Very short speed ropes make the move harder for beginners.
How long does it take to learn the criss cross?
That depends on how stable your basic jump already is and how often you practice. Some people manage single crossed jumps within a few sessions, others need several weeks. Short, regular practice usually works better than long sessions.
Should I learn the criss cross or double unders first?
Most people find the criss cross easier because it does not require a faster rope or a higher jump. It trains timing and hand control, which helps later with more demanding skills.
Bottom line
The criss cross is learned in stages: crossed position, single crossed jump, open-cross-open and finally linked repetitions. Cross deep, keep the handle ends pointing outward and jump slightly earlier. Product facts on this page were checked on November 9, 2026. Once the cross-over feels natural, the next step can be double unders or a structured rope workout.
More in English
- English start page – Start page of the English section
- Crossrope Review – Is the weighted jump rope system worth it?
- Get Lean vs Get Strong – Which set fits which goal, including AMP
- Sizing Guide – Which size and which rope weight to choose
- AMP Review – Are the Bluetooth handles worth the membership?
- AMP Handles Explained – What the smart handles do, how pairing and charging work, what you need
- Mat Review – Do you need a mat, and which surfaces call for one?
- Crossrope vs Regular Rope – When a simple rope is enough, and when Crossrope is worth more
- Weighted Rope for Beginners – How to choose your first weighted jump rope
- Heavy Jump Ropes – What a 1 lb or 2 lb rope changes, and who it suits
- Jump Rope Gift Guide – How to give a jump rope without knowing the right size
- Jumping in an Apartment – Mat, surface and rope choices for quieter workouts at home
- Jump Rope for Tall People – Rope length, ceiling height and space if you are 6 feet or taller
- Replacement Ropes – Single ropes for your handles: which weights fit and when to replace one
- Weighted Rope Workout – A 20-minute interval session with 12 one-minute rounds
- Warranty and Returns – What the 60-day guarantee and the handle warranty cover, in the US and abroad
- Rope for Double Unders – Speed rope, light weighted rope or adjustable set: what helps with double unders
- Jump Rope for Boxing – Which rope suits round-based boxing conditioning, and which to skip
- App Membership – What Lite and Standard include, US prices, and when membership is worth it
- How Long a Rope Lasts – Cable wear, coating, surface and care – without invented lifespan numbers
- Handles Comparison – Slim vs Power vs Speed Performance handles – which non-AMP grip fits your ropes
- Speed vs Weighted Rope – Pick by goal: endurance, technique or strength stimulus – not a product catalog
- How to Jump Rope – Step-by-step basics: rope length, bounce step, arm path and the first 30 days
- Get Lean Set Review – What is in the beginner set, which size to pick, and what it does not include
- Boxer Skip Guide – Learn the boxer step in stages: weight shift, rhythm, footwork drills and common fixes
- Double Under Guide – Learn the double under in stages: timing without a rope, single attempts, then short chains
- Tricks for Beginners – Which beginner tricks to learn first, what each one trains and how to practice it
- Side Swing Guide – Learn the side swing in three steps: swing beside the body, switch sides, then open and jump back in
- Warm-Up Routine – A calm warm-up before a jump rope session, and how to use the rope itself as a warm-up for other training
- Why You Keep Tripping – Find out when and where the rope hits you, then change one thing at a time until the rhythm holds
- Jumping Backwards – Learn the basic jump with the rope turning backwards: start position, timing without seeing the rope, first sets
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