I found something brand new to suck at!

**meat monkey** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 3:53pm

Yup, and its called skipping rope (or whatever it is actually called).

I have just started Muay Thai about two and half weeks ago.

Its great, lots of cardio, nothing making me feel my shoulder is going to pop-out before I rehab it, fantastic. After a week they let me join the second class, so its 1 hour pad-work/cardio type stuff, 1 and 1/2 hours of conditioning/ sparring/ drill etc. Four evenings a week, lots of fun. I missed getting knocked around the head some (not much has occurred yet, but I live in hope!).

However, every class starts with skipping rope. I am not saying its a bad thing, in all likelyhood it is a very good thing (otherwise why would it be such a boxing staple) I am just saying its embarrassing to be a grown man and be humiliated by a bit of twine between two handles. Especially if some youngsters join in the first class after school, and start getting their funk on, or whatever they call it. Damn kids.

To sumnmarise:
Muay Thai = Good
Skip Rope > Me

P.S. cannot believe I am about to say this any hints? Other than jump over the rope/twine/whatever at the right time? I will just be in the corner, dying in shame.

**Sley** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:16pm

I suck at jump roping too, its pretty embarrassing, I also fail at pad holding for kicks when I get really tried, because my hands go up to cover my face, and I get nailed in the ribs over and over.

**Kintanon** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:21pm

Find a 9 year old girl and get her to train you. You'll probably need a montage.

**illegalusername** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:23pm

Look at that fucking rope. Look at it
See how that bitch is coming at your toes all grinning and certain it's going to get a bite out of your piggly-wigglies. Now, right as that smug **** is getting near the ground you just go NOT TODAY ************ and lightly bounce using your calf muscles.
It's no use making a big-ass jump using those big muscles in your thighs and ass because if you do that you won't be ready to jump again when that goddamn rope comes back again (unless you're real slick and skip several rotations with one giant leap)
Then just keep going with that light bounce and that rope won't know what the ****. Be the envy of all the little girls in your neighborhood.

**illegalusername** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:24pm

Sorry, i had some extra cursewords i had to use up for this month.

**Sley** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:28pm

also wear socks while you practice at home to keep you toes safe (yes I'm so self conscious that I practice at work out so as to look good, mock me all you want but its important man, I get mocked for it)

**Odacon** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:29pm

My first night in a thai boxing gym I had to jump rope, so I just did it. Pretty happy about that as I'm not the kind that picks things up straight away. As for tips, I'd say the only thing that'll work is practice, so just get a rope and keep working on it daily

**Styygens** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:41pm

Originally Posted by Kintanon

Find a 9 year old girl and get her to train you. You'll probably need a montage.

Push ups if a real montage gets posted.

A lot of push-ups.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 8/20/2010 4:43pm

I'm pretty decent (even got some fancy showboating) and have worked with people who suck at it, and here's what I've noticed:
-you shouldn't try to jump high or bend your knees much at all. It's all in the calves.
-you also shouldn't make big circles with your arms: a rope is very easy to get moving so you don't have to swing your arm like Adam West Batman giving a villain all he's got. Small circles. Think wrists and ankles.
-establish a rhythm, and when you mess up try to get back to it quick. I've seen people get discouraged and pissy, and thought to myself that if they spent as much time trying as they do lamenting their failure they'd be fine.
-grow some pigtails to act as a metronome (and for style)