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How to Play Stick Jump

Everything you need to know — from basic controls to advanced strategies that will skyrocket your score.

Controls & Input

Stick Jump uses one single input — making it the easiest game to pick up but one of the hardest to master.

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Desktop — Mouse Click

Press and hold the left mouse button to extend the stick. The stick grows at a constant speed while you hold. Release to drop the stick forward. If it reaches the next platform, your stickman walks across safely.

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Mobile — Tap & Hold

Tap and hold anywhere on the screen. The stick extends upward. Lift your finger to release the stick and let it fall. The touch controls are identical in behavior to the mouse — hold longer for a longer stick.

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Timing is Key

There's no speed button, no jump button, no directional controls. Every outcome depends entirely on how long you hold. This makes the game deceptively simple — and incredibly deep.

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Restart

When you fall, tap or click to restart instantly. There are no loading screens or menus between attempts. You're back in the action within a fraction of a second.

Game Objective

The goal is simple: survive as long as possible and rack up the highest score.

Cross the Gap

Your stickman stands on a platform. Ahead is another platform separated by a gap. You must extend a stick to bridge the gap. If the stick is the right length, it lands on the next platform and you walk across. Each successful crossing earns you one point.

Avoid Falling

If your stick is too short, it won't reach the next platform and your stickman falls. If it's too long, it extends past the platform and your stickman walks off the edge. The game ends immediately when you fall.

Increasing Difficulty

As your score increases, the distances between platforms vary more dramatically. Some gaps are tiny — requiring a quick tap — while others are massive, demanding a long hold. Adapting to this variety is the core challenge.

Beginner Tips

Starting out? These fundamentals will help you survive your first dozen platforms.

1. Start Slow

Don't rush. Take a moment to visually estimate the gap before you press. The game doesn't have a timer, so there's no penalty for pausing before each jump. Use that time to judge distances.

2. Count in Your Head

Develop an internal counting rhythm. A short gap might be "one-one-thousand." A medium gap might be "one-one-thousand-two." Consistency in your internal clock is the fastest path to accuracy.

3. Accept Failure

You will fall. A lot. Every failure is feedback. Did you hold too long? Too short? Adjust your next attempt accordingly. The restart is instant, so there's no cost to failing — only lessons.

4. Watch the Stick Grow

Keep your eyes on the tip of the stick as it extends. Compare its length to the visible gap. When it looks like it will reach the far edge of the next platform — release.

Advanced Techniques

Ready to push past your personal best? These strategies separate good players from great ones.

Peripheral Vision

Instead of looking only at the stick tip, use your peripheral vision to compare the stick length against the gap simultaneously. This allows faster and more intuitive decision-making without consciously "measuring."

Rhythm Over Precision

Top players don't measure each gap individually. They develop a rhythm — a feel for how long to hold based on gap categories (small, medium, large). This rhythm becomes automatic after enough practice, allowing faster play.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

As your score climbs, the pressure mounts. Your hands might tense up, causing you to hold too long. Practice deep breathing and maintain a relaxed grip. Physical tension is the enemy of precision.

Aim for Center

Don't aim for the near edge of the next platform. Aim for its center. This gives you the maximum margin of error in both directions — a stick that's slightly too short or slightly too long will still land safely.