Jump Rope Tricks for Beginners: What to Learn First and How

Updated: November 11, 2026 · By René Schmidt

Searching for jump rope tricks usually brings up long lists with no order. That is the problem: a list does not tell you which trick prepares the next one. This page gives you a learning order, explains what each trick trains, and links to my detailed guides where a trick needs more space.

About me: I have been jumping rope since 2012 and I still jump today. In 2016 I recorded a numbered beginner series of basic jumps for my German YouTube channel, and in 2021 I filmed an overview of eleven basic techniques. Today I train with Crossrope ropes and use the Crossrope AMP handles; they are very grippy, even with sweaty hands. The order below comes from that practice and is my recommendation, not a scientific ranking.

Before the first trick: a calm basic bounce

Every trick on this page starts from the basic bounce: both feet together, small jumps on the balls of the feet, hands close to the hips, the rope turned from the wrists. If you can jump about a minute in that rhythm without tripping, you are ready. If not, my guide on how to jump rope is the better place to begin, and the sizing guide helps if the rope length is the issue.

The learning order at a glance

Group 1: Footwork tricks

These tricks keep the rope exactly as it is and only change what the feet do. That makes them the best entry point. Alternate foot step: instead of landing on both feet, you land on one foot at a time, as if you were jogging lightly in place. Keep the knees low; the step should be small. Side straddle: on one jump the feet land shoulder-width apart, on the next they land together again. Forward straddle: one foot lands slightly in front, the other slightly behind, then they switch, like a small scissor.

Bell jump: both feet together, small hops forward and back, as if you were stepping over a line. Side to side: the same idea to the left and right. In both, the hops stay short; the rope does not care where you land as long as you stay inside its arc.

Boxer skip: the weight shifts from one foot to the other while the other foot barely touches the ground. It looks easy but takes a few sessions to feel natural. My boxer skip guide breaks it into four drills.

Group 2: Rope-handling tricks

Here the feet go back to the basic bounce and the hands do something new. Side swing: bring both hands together to one side and let the rope swing past your body without jumping, then open the hands and jump into the basic bounce. It teaches you to control the rope with both hands at once and is a useful link between other tricks.

Criss cross: the arms cross in front of the body so you jump through a crossed loop, then open again. The key is to cross deep enough, with the handle ends pointing outward. The full progression is in my criss cross guide.

Group 3: The timing trick

The double under is the classic goal for many jumpers: the rope passes under your feet twice in one jump. It needs a slightly higher jump and a faster turn from the wrists, which is why it comes last. My guide on how to do double unders explains the steps from the rhythm without a rope to the first short chains.

How to practice a new trick

• Sandwich it: a few basic bounces, one attempt at the new trick, then basic bounces again.
• One new trick per session: spend most of the time on it and finish with something you already know.
• Short sets: tired legs and arms make the rope rhythm sloppy, and sloppy attempts teach the wrong movement.
• Film yourself now and then: a short phone clip often shows hands drifting away from the hips, which is hard to feel.
• Combine later: once two tricks work alone, link them, for example side swing into criss cross, or boxer skip into the alternate step.

Which rope works for tricks

For the tricks on this page a light rope of the right length is the easiest choice, because it reacts quickly and does not tire the arms during crossings. According to Crossrope (checked on November 11, 2026), the 1/4 lb rope is built for a faster pace, and the ☞ Get Lean Set combines a 1/4 lb and a 1/2 lb rope with one pair of Slim Handles. If you already have Crossrope handles, you can add a single light rope from the ☞ Crossrope ropes collection. Heavy ropes are better suited to slower strength-focused sessions; the comparison speed rope vs weighted rope explains the difference.

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.

Who this guide is for, and who should start elsewhere

A good fit: jumpers who can do the basic bounce for about a minute and want variety, a plan and a sense of progress; people who got stuck on a random trick and want to know what to learn first.

Start elsewhere: if you still trip often in the basic bounce, stay with it a little longer. If you have pain in the feet, ankles, knees or calves, ask a doctor or physiotherapist before adding faster or single-leg jumps.

The honest downsides

• More rope hits: new tricks mean more misses, and a fast rope stings when it hits.
• Space: side swings and crossings need room to the sides and enough ceiling height.
• Uneven progress: some tricks click in one session, others take weeks; the order is a guide, not a rule.
• Less steady effort: trick practice has more pauses than a continuous workout, so it feels different from cardio sessions.

Cheaper alternatives

You can learn every trick on this page with a simple PVC or beaded rope of the right length. I do not compare prices of other brands here. A beaded rope is slower and easier to see, which some beginners like for the criss cross; a thin PVC rope is quicker and helps later with double unders.

Bottom line

Jump rope tricks are easier to learn in order: footwork first, then rope handling, then the double under. Learn one trick at a time, keep the sets short and return to the basic bounce after every attempt. Product facts on this page were checked on November 11, 2026. If you want to turn your new tricks into a structured session, my jump rope workout with weighted ropes shows one way to plan the rounds.

☞ Affiliate disclosure: links marked with ☞ are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.