Why is the toe catch so important?

One of the most useful tools available to a jumper has when it comes to learning new jump rope freestyle skills isn’t widely known by the jump rope fitness community. This tool is underrated. It’s often overlooked. And it’s frequently under-utilised. It can really help with breaking down new jump rope skills, from the most basic to the very advanced.

I’m going to outline 3 reasons why you should be using the toe catch to learn new jump rope freestyle skills faster and with more ease than ever before.

What is a Toe Catch?

First thing’s first, what even is a toe catch? A toe catch is when the jumper stops the rope by lifting their toes and letting the centre of the rope come to a stop underneath their feet. It’s a clean way to finish a sequence whilst demonstrating good rope control.

1 Hand Position

Using the toe catch during the middle of another skill, like a Cross, allows the jumper to check if their hands are positioned correctly. Hand position is extremely important for executing jump rope skills effectively so performing a toe catch in this way allows the jumper to practice and polish this without being interrupted by tripping on the rope.

2 Balance

Some jump rope skills require more balance than others, such as when one leg is raised. Doing the toe catch during the middle of a skill, like the Inverse Toad for example, allows the jumper to ensure the rope is passing under the body at the right point. This is extremely useful because, if the rope can’t be caught under the jumper’s toes, it can’t then pass under the body if the jumper had have jumped. From this, a jumper can alter their body and improve the balance to allow them to comfortably execute the freestyle skill correctly without fear of tripping and falling over.

3 Avoiding Bad Habits

One of the biggest reasons some jumpers find frustration when trying to progress to more advanced freestyle skills is overcoming bad habits they’ve developed without realising. Using the toe catch in your training can provide you a suitable way to end every skill, instead of reverting to a different ‘comfortable’ position such as a side swing. Side swings have a use when building freestyle sequences but can be hindering when learning new skills, if used inappropriately. 

Let’s Apply What We’ve Learned

The following is an example of a freestyle skill that is commonly met with frustration by learners due to poor hand positioning, awkward balance and bad habits. The Crouger is a leg cross that is immediately followed by a Cross.

However, new jumpers will often exit this skill with a swing since this is less demanding for the jumper, in terms of balance and general proficiency.

Using the toe catch, as can be seen here, helps the jumper to improve their hand positioning, focus on their balance and build better habits that give them more freedom in their training. 

Discipline is Freedom

Jump rope is all about having fun, and by subscribing to the idea that discipline is freedom, you too can enjoy more freedom when jumping rope. Need any more advice?