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Bradley Hilliard

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August 19, 2025

Three Drills to Finally Master Your Double-Unders

If you’ve ever whipped yourself in the shins mid-workout, you know: double-unders are a humbling CrossFit skill. The concept is simple — the rope passes under your feet twice for every jump — but the execution? That’s another story.

Some athletes seem to pick them up in a week. For others, it’s months (or years) of frustration. I’ve been there…sweaty palms, tangled rope, heart rate through the roof, and only three successful reps to show for it.

The good news? Double-unders are learnable. Like any CrossFit movement, they get much easier when you break them down into skills you can practice outside the chaos of a WOD. Here are three drills I use with athletes that build the timing, coordination, and efficiency you need to string together big sets without burning out.

Drill 1: Single-Double Rhythm Builder

What it is:

This drill mixes single-unders and double-unders in the same set to help you nail the timing without rushing.

How to practice:
  1. Start with two single-unders.

  2. On the third jump, speed up the rope so it passes under your feet twice — that’s your double-under.

  3. Go back to singles for two jumps, then hit another double.

  4. Keep this 2:1 pattern for 30–60 seconds.

Why it works:

Many athletes fail at double-unders because they panic, jumping too fast or spinning the rope wildly. Mixing singles and doubles forces you to slow down, find your rhythm, and learn exactly how much rope speed and jump height you need for a clean rep.

Drill 2: Penguin Taps

What it is:

This is a no-rope drill that teaches you the feel of a double-under jump without the frustration of tripping.

How to practice:
  1. Stand tall with feet together.

  2. Jump vertically and, at the peak of your jump, tap your thighs twice quickly with your hands.

  3. Land softly and repeat for 20–30 seconds at a time.

Why it works:

The double thigh tap mimics the rope’s double pass. This builds awareness of how high and how quickly you need to jump for two spins, and it locks in the timing of your jump before adding the rope back in.

Drill 3: Small Jump Efficiency

What it is:

Double-unders don’t require sky-high jumps — in fact, over-jumping usually makes you land heavy and slow your rope. This drill teaches you to use just enough height while keeping your body relaxed.

How to practice:
  1. Start with singles at a low jump height — just enough to clear the rope.

  2. Keep your elbows tucked and wrists turning smoothly.

  3. Gradually add in a double-under every 5–6 singles, aiming for the same jump height as your singles.

Why it works:

Efficient jumping means you can keep going longer without blowing up your calves and lungs. Many athletes discover they’ve been using way too much effort per rep — this drill helps you find that “just right” height and stay consistent.

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve practiced these drills individually, try this 8-minute EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) to blend them:

  • Minute 1: 2 Singles + 1 Double (repeat for 40 seconds)

  • Minute 2: 20 seconds Penguin Taps, then rest

  • Minute 3: 5 Singles + 1 Double (repeat for 40 seconds)

  • Minute 4: 30 seconds max unbroken doubles

  • Repeat for 2 rounds

The structure keeps your heart rate manageable while reinforcing technique under light fatigue — which is exactly how doubles show up in a workout.

Mindset Matters

Double-unders can be a mental game as much as a physical one. It’s easy to tense up and “fight” the rope when you miss. Instead, treat misses as feedback. Ask yourself:

  • Did I jump too early or too late?

  • Was my rope speed consistent?

  • Did I tense my shoulders or let them relax?

Approach it like a puzzle you’re solving, not a pass/fail test. A few clean reps today is still progress toward stringing together big sets tomorrow.

Bottom line: Mastering double-unders isn’t about whipping yourself into submission. It’s about timing, relaxation, and consistent practice. Start with these three drills, keep your sessions short but focused, and you’ll go from tangled mess to smooth spins before you know it.

And remember, if you want eyes on your form or advice on rope sizing, grab a coach before or after class or sign up for a few skill sessions. Sometimes all it takes is one small adjustment to unlock your breakthrough moment.

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Sweet & Spicy Korean Turkey Spring Roll Bowls

serving of meat makes 8 servings: Calories — 565⁣ Protein — 40g⁣ Fat — 21g⁣ Carbs — 33g⁣ ⁣ 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥: ⁣ ⁣ 3 lbs lean ground turkey⁣ 9 tsp garlic, minced about 9 cloves⁣ 34 cup brown sugar, packed⁣ 34 cup low-sodium soy saucetamaricoconut aminos⁣ 6 tsp sesame oil⁣ 1 tsp ground ginger or 2-3 tsp minced⁣ 1 tsp crushed red pepper⁣ 1 tsp black pepper⁣ Sliced green onions for garnish⁣ 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥:⁣ ⁣ 10oz bag of shredded cabbage⁣ 10oz bag of julienned carrots⁣ 10oz bag of broccoli slaw⁣ 12oz bag of sea kelp noodles ⁣ 5oz greens of your choice, roughly chopped⁣ 5-10 mini cucumbers, sliced⁣ 1 bunch each of cilantro, mint, and Thai basil, roughly chopped⁣ 13-12 cup peanuts, chopped⁣ Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish⁣ ⁣𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥:⁣ ⁣ 12 cup olive oil⁣ 6 tbsp rice vinegar⁣ 4 tsp honey ⁣ 2 tsp minced garlic⁣ Salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste⁣ ⁣ To prepare: ⁣ — Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.