speed ball jump ropes...worth it?

[Kevin Johnson]

http://www.jumpnrope.com/speedballs.htm

i feel like these could be home made. does anyone have experience with these or see them as something beneficial? i'm sucking at jump rope, and wondering if this would help at all. at least to get the flicking feel down in my wrist and more hopping practice without constantly having to stop every few jumps.

[Frank E Morel]

No,,,,

If you suck at rope jumping.... Get a thicker rope.
Thick ropes turn slower, thus giving you time to learn co ordination and timing.

Cable ropes turn the fastest, If you don't have the timing right with these ones, You will get frustrated quickly

Also
JUMPROPE
(The) Buddy Lee System [wmv][mov] » Dec 5 07
Basic Bounce, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Dec 2 07
Double-Unders, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Sept 22 07
Fixing the Basic Bounce, Part 1, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Oct 1 07
Fixing the Basic Bounce, Part 2, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Oct 8 07
Intro to the Jumprope, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Sept 12 07 <---------- watch this
Jump Rope Competition, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Dec 24 07
Jump Rope Variations, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Jan 4 08
Rope Simulation, Buddy Lee [wmv][mov] » Dec 18 07
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[Steve Jaeger]

Originally Posted by Kevin Johnson

http://www.jumpnrope.com/speedballs.htm

i feel like these could be home made. does anyone have experience with these or see them as something beneficial? i'm sucking at jump rope, and wondering if this would help at all. at least to get the flicking feel down in my wrist and more hopping practice without constantly having to stop every few jumps.

Kevin,

Although some swear by the speedballs, I've never used them. Save yourself a few dollars and maybe try this first:

How long is the jump rope you are using? One thing that can be a big spoiler in success is having a rope that isn't sized properly for you. Too short a jump rope and the rope won’t make it under your feet. Too long and the cable hits too far in front slowing the speed of the rope. Here's a quick guide for cable length: For those at 5'6" height and less, add 2'10" to your height. For those over 5'6", add 3'0". With proper hand and arm position, these cable lengths will get you off and running.

And as you mentioned, it's the wrist that turns the rope, not the elbow. Keep in mind too that when the arms tend to float away from the body the rope is effectively shortened causing those misses. Keep the arms in tight and turn at the wrist.

Hope that helps.

[Marshall Flagg]

Don't believe the hype. I am sure they sell plenty of those things to disheartened double under-ers. Just keep at it. It will come. It took me three hundred years to get double unders.

[Molly Metz]

Originally Posted by Kevin Johnson

http://www.jumpnrope.com/speedballs.htm

i feel like these could be home made. does anyone have experience with these or see them as something beneficial? i'm sucking at jump rope, and wondering if this would help at all. at least to get the flicking feel down in my wrist and more hopping practice without constantly having to stop every few jumps.

The speed balls are not for people necessarily just "sucking" at jump rope. They were designed by competitive jump rope athletes to train our wrists and forearms intensely. They are also used to work on issues that we see in our non-dominant hand/wrist. The speed balls allow for the athlete to focus on this troubled area without having to think also about jumping/getting over the rope. I have been competing for 30+ years and continue to use the speed balls. I train with them 2-3 times per week to strengthen my left wrist - which go figure still needs attention after all these years. I love the speed balls as a tool, but would never say they are going to cure anyone of their overall double under issues. they are just a great addition to your bag of tricks if you are struggling with using your wrists and technique. If you have more questions please ask!

Molly

[Joey Dussel]

FYI, Molly Metz ^^^ did something like 1,400 double unders in a row. I've met her personally and would have bought some speedballs that day if I hadn't already spent all my money on other gear!

Also, I picked up the JumpNRope rope progression (beaded, Trainer, and R1 ropes) and in 7 weeks of using the beaded and trainer ropes, my mad effort unbroken double unders went from 62 to 190! Definitely worth it. The heavier rope is easier to "feel" and helps immensely to develop strength / strength endurance in the shoulder musculature.

-Joey