I had a lot of skipping issues when I started

1. Pre-Shave - I have typical Middle Eastern tough as heck beard (sometimes, if I've let the growth go for more than two days I need to strop mid-shave to keep things smooth) so making sure my beard is as hydrated and clean as possible is critical. If you have a tough beard then this is a good place to make sure you're not skimping on details.

2. Shave Ready - Again, strop, strop and do it again and give it a slow hanging hair test along different parts of the blade. I found that I could tell where I had issues with my stropping because some parts of the blade was sharp and others not so (you can also find this out the more painful way...).

3. Lather - I would get a good lather, but when I started, it took so long for me to shave that some parts would dry out by the time I got to it. I lather one side/segment at a time hence always rich, wet lather is being used.

4. Stretching. I stretch progressively down my face - basically following the razor down. This method has given me some great single pass shaves when I'm in a rush but couldn't bring myself to use the much hated Gillette multi-razor abomination. I think also for those us with tough beards, this really allows the razor maximum exposure to the stubble.

5. Length of stubble. Don't let the growth go for too long. I've found there is a point where if I try a straight on long beards then I'm in for a long and not too pleasant shave. I shave around my goatee and trying to trim the goatee with a razor is not recommended (not in my world anyway). That's what I use the Gillette multi-blade abomination for - clean up detail.

Hope some of this helps.