How To Master Triple Unders: A Step-By-Step Guide

Triple unders or rotations require dedication and technique; they’re an advanced and challenging jump rope skill.

They might look simple, but this jump rope exercise requires experience, refined form, and lots of practice. There’s more to it than meets the eye.

Take some time with our informative step-by-step guide, which covers everything you’ll need to know about this advanced technique, from how to jump to what equipment you’ll need. With practice, you’ll master this in no time. Ready? Let's jump in.

What Is a Triple Under?

A triple under is a jump rope skill where the rope passes under the user’s feet three times within one jump. Blink and you’ll miss it.

How Do You Do Triple Unders?

Get Proficient in Double Unders

You can’t run before you can walk, and triple rotations are much the same. Before beginning this next stage, you must first be proficient in double unders. If you’re struggling with double rotations, you’re not ready to take that step.

You’ll be surprised to learn how much room for improvement you can make with your double unders. Your aptitude at double unders must be higher than average before you reach the next rung on the ladder, especially if you don't have a solid foundation.

Use a mirror to evaluate each aspect of your double rotations from head to toe. This attention to detail pays dividends in the quest for triple unders. You should be able to execute a minimum of 25 double unders without a break before you progress.

Proper Technique

Work on honing your jumping technique: this makes it much easier to go from double to triple unders. Double unders are the training ground for triple rotations: many technical elements apply to both.

Sometimes, working on one element of your technique at a time is helpful before putting it all together. Online tutorials can help. Watch the experts share different drills to help refine your technique.

Posture and Body Shape

This is an excellent place to start before honing in on specific details. Good posture means you move in the most efficient way possible – you’re not working against your own body.

Keep your head and chest up with your vision on a straight level. Position your shoulders downward and close to their relaxed position, as holding stress in your shoulders may cause fatigue in the arms when executing these skills. Stand with your feet close together and keep a slight bend in the knees. Stay balanced on the balls of your feet.

Due to these postural requirements, jump rope is an ideal strengthening exercise and an excellent cardiovascular workout. It’s also a fun addition to a weight loss program.

Hand Placement

Correct hand placement reduces your effort to jump double, easing the addition of one extra jump. Place your hands in line with your hips and just in front of your body. 

A jump rope rotates with just a spin of the wrists. Too much arm movement is not recommended, as it reduces the distance and time the rope travels. 

Proper wrist technique allows you to spin the rope more quickly and efficiently; it takes less effort and avoids fatigue build-up.

Rope Speed

Speed is not just about wrist action but finding the right rhythm. It’s hard sometimes to move from two to three rotations because this is a vastly different rhythm. Practice makes perfect.

Jump Height

With double unders, the focus is on keeping the jump low, but you’ll need to jump a bit higher than a single to allow for two rotations. Triple unders require a higher jump height again to rotate the rope thrice.

You can work on your jump height without the rope at first. You’ll need to bound off the balls of your feet. Practice jumping vertically with your toes pointed and a slight knee bend. Bent knees act as shock absorbers as you land.

The jump style is fundamental - otherwise, you won’t gain enough height. You’ll need to jump vertically from your feet and knees so your body remains straight. You don’t want to pike forward with your toes or butt kick. This style is not efficient.

Online help regarding jump style is abundant, with resources catering to whatever level you are at. 

The correct posture, technique, and equipment, like a quality mat and cushioned footwear, help prevent injury. Dedicated jump rope mats minimize the concussion impact on your legs and spine.

Rope Length

Triple unders stand or fall on rope length. It doesn’t matter how good your technique is; if the rope length is too long, you’ll never be able to rotate it quickly enough. You may want your rope length even shorter than for double unders.

The rope should skim over your head. If it balloons, there’s too much slack, and it’ll never rotate fast enough.

Everyone is different. Experiment with varying lengths of rope until you find one that suits your height and technique.

Choose the Right Rope

If you’re contemplating learning triple unders, chances are you’re an adept jumper already. To maximize your chances of perfecting the skill, you should assess your current equipment and look to upgrade your rope if necessary.

Suppose you want to upgrade your current equipment and find the best rope to perform multiple unders. In that case, a jump ropes bundle offers excellent value for money and will allow you to experiment with different ropes as you perfect your aptitude for unders. 

Fast ropes are the most suitable jump rope for the triple under, moving much faster and easily rotating. The Elite Jumps Bullet COMP is the world’s fastest jump rope, utilized by the best speed jumpers and crossfit athletes worldwide. It’s been used to set the world double under record and the most unders ever performed, an incredible seven unders. 

Coordination and Timing

Consistent practice is crucial for improvement, and good coordination and timing are hard-won with lots of input. Take a look at Adrienn Banhegyi, who set the world record at the time with more than 300 triple unders, for tips and inspiration.

Your jump should begin just as the rope clears your feet. The second rotation should occur at the peak of the jump, the highest point. This leaves ample time for a third rotation before you touch the ground.

Different progressive drills help with jumping and timing, much like the penguin drill, where you jump and clap your hands on your thighs. It’s excellent for jump height and rhythm without worrying about the rope.

Feedback Awareness

Feedback is often referred to in jump rope tutorials, which means being aware of where the rope is in space at all times, essential for double and triple unders.

Learning feedback awareness using a heavier rope first is beneficial because it’s easier to know where the rope is in the air. More experienced jumpers have subconscious awareness honed through practice and can use a lighter rope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Triple Unders Possible?

Triple unders are possible, but you must first be proficient at double unders. The recommendation is 25 double rotations without pause before considering stepping up.

Triple unders require considerable experience, excellent technique, and the proper form and length of rope.

How Do You Learn Triple Unders?

The best way to learn triple unders is with a baseline of good double unders. Take time to refine your technique and learn from experienced jumpers. 

Watching masterclasses online can help you troubleshoot specific problems and research a suitable rope.

What Is the Best Jump Rope for Triple Unders?

The best jump rope for triple unders is the fastest rope. Most people learn with a lighter-weight rope because it moves more quickly while honing specific skills with a heavier rope offers more control.

The Elite Jumps Bullet Comp is the world’s fastest jump rope and is the ideal tool to master and perform triple unders. It’s favored by many of the world's best jumpers and has been used to set various multiple under records. 

Make sure whatever rope you choose is lightweight and as fast as possible to optimize your chances of mastering the triple under. 

Ready to Master Your Triple Unders?

To master triple unders, you’ll need the right equipment. Consider the Bullet COMP - the fastest jump rope on the market to ace your jumps. Or, for competitive success, try the economically priced Spark Speed Jump Rope, and you’ll have perfected this skill in no time.

About the Author Devin Meek is the Director of Education for Elite Jumps. He's been a jump rope entertainer for over eighteen years and is a three-time world champion competitive jumper. Devin travels the country sharing his passion for the sport, giving jump rope workshops to schools, CrossFit gyms, and corporate wellness programs.