In this case, I am jumping a set of seven long steps. This requires me to approach at a pretty fast speed, and although you can't see it in the still, at this point I'm really moving. And now that I've achieved the pace I want and am getting mighty close to those stairs, I stop skating and start coasting. Notice my feet are close together. You want to jump with both feet at the same time.
People commonly make the mistake of taking off on only one foot.
That's a no-no. I'm also bending down now and my arms are back and prepared to pull me up with all my might in less than a second. This is another very crucial moment. The absolute most common mistake that people make at this point is to jump out. Your forward momentum will carry you the length of any object you wish to clear.