Introduce some of the basic step variations. The basic steps can be done in slow or fast time.
- Side Swing: Swing the rope, held with both hands to one side of the body. Switch and swing the rope on the other side of the body.
- Double Side Swing and Jump: Swing the rope once on each side of the body. Follow the second swing with a jump over the rope. The sequence should be swing, swing, jump.
- Alternate-Foot Basic Step: In the Alternate-Foot Basic Step, as the rope passes under the feet, the weight is shifted alternately from one foot to the other, raising the unweighted foot in a running position.
- Bird Jumps: Jump with the toes pointed in (pigeon walk) and with the toes pointed out (duck walk). Alternate toes in and toes out.
- Swing-Step Forward: The Swing-Step Forward is the same as the Alternate-Foot Basic Step, except that the free leg swings forward. The knee is kept loose and the foot swings naturally.
- Rocker Step: In executing the Rocker Step, one leg is always forward in a walking-stride position. As the rope passes under the feet, the weight is shifted from the back foot to the forward foot. The rebound is taken on the forward foot while the rope is above the head. On the next turn of the rope, the weight is shifted from the forward foot to the back foot, repeating the rebound on the back foot.
- Spread Legs Forward and Backward: Start in a stride position (as in the Rocker) with weight equally distributed on both feet. As the rope passes underfoot, jump into the air and reverse the position of the feet.
- Straddle Jump: Alternate a regular jump with a straddle jump. The straddle jump is performed with the feet shoulder width apart.
- Cross Legs Sideways: As the rope passes underfoot, spread the legs in a straddle position (sideways) to take the rebound. As the rope passes underfoot on the next turn, jump into the air and cross the feet with the right foot forward. Then repeat with the left foot forward and continue alternating feet.
- Toe-Touch Forward: Swing the right foot forward as the rope passes underfoot and touch the right toes on the next count. Then alternate, landing on the right foot and touching the left toes forward.
- Toe-Touch Backward: This step is like the Swing-Step Sideways, except that the toes of the free foot touch to the back at the end of the swing.
- Shuffle Step: Push off with the right foot and sidestep to the left as the rope passes underfoot. Land with the weight on the left foot and touch the right toes beside the left heel. Repeat the step in the opposite direction.
- Crossing Arms: Crossing the arms while turning the rope forward is easier than crossing them while turning backward. Crossing and uncrossing can be done at predetermined points after a specific number of turns. Crossing can be used during any of the routines.
- Double Turning: The jumper does a few basic steps in preparing for the double turn. As the rope approaches the feet, give an extremely hard flip of the rope from the wrists, jump from 6 to 8 inches in height, and let the rope pass underfoot twice before landing. The jumper must bend forward at the waist somewhat, which increases the speed of the turn. Challenge advanced rope jumpers to see how many consecutive double-turns they can do.
Shifting from Forward to Backward Jumping. To switch from forward to backward jumping without stopping, use any of these techniques.
1. As the rope starts downward in forward jumping, rather than allowing it to pass underfoot, the performer swings both arms to the left (or right) and makes a half-turn of the body in that direction (i.e., facing the rope). On the next downward swing, the jumper spreads the arms and starts turning in the opposite direction. This method also works for shifting from backward to forward jumping.
2.When the rope is directly overhead, the jumper extends both arms, causing the rope to hesitate momentarily, at the same time making a half-turn in either direction and continuing to skip with the rope turning in the opposite direction.
3. From a crossed-arm position, as the rope is going overhead, the jumper may uncross the arms and turn simultaneously. This starts the rope turning and the jumper going in the opposite direction.