How do I know if my child is ready for a double jump?

Great question — this is one of the big milestones parents watch for. The short answer is that your child should have a rock-solid single jump first. I'm talking about landing it consistently, with good control, across multiple sessions. If they're still working on landing one out of three attempts, they're not quite ready.

Beyond consistency, look at their takeoff. A double requires a faster rotation in the air, which starts with a powerful, controlled entry into the jump. If their single jump takeoff looks rushed or unbalanced, that's telling you the foundation needs more work. Most skaters at Pre-Preliminary level focus entirely on perfecting singles before even thinking about doubles.

Also consider their overall edge quality and balance. Doubles demand better control of the ice edge leading into the jump. If your child struggles with transitions or seems wobbly between elements, that's where to focus energy first.

The honest truth: there's no magic age or timeline. Some kids are ready at 7, others at 10. What matters is building the right habits now rather than rushing and creating problems later.

Next step: Film a few practice sessions and ask your child's coach specifically where the single jump stands — is it ready to layer in a second rotation, or does it need another month of solid, consistent landings?

Want to see this in your child's skating? SkateMarks analyzes every jump with per-second AI coaching notes.