ROPE SKiPPiNG / JUMP A ROPE

A jump rope, skipping rope, or skip rope is the primary tool used in the game of skipping played by children and many young adults, where one or more participants jump over a rope swung so that it passes under their feet and over their heads. This may consist of one participant turning and jumping the rope, or a minimum of three participants taking turns, two of whom turn the rope while one or more jumps. Sometimes the latter is played with two turning ropes; this form of the activity is called Double Dutch and is significantly more difficult. Jump-rope rhymes are often chanted beginning when the skipper jumps in and ending when the skipper is tripped up.

In contrast to running, jumping rope is unlikely to lead to knee damage since the impact of each jump or step is absorbed by both legs. Jumping rope also helps strengthen the arms and shoulders. This combination of an aerobic workout and coordination-building footwork has made jumping rope a popular form of exercise for athletes, especially boxers and wrestlers. Individuals or groups can participate in the exercise, and learning proper jump rope technique is simple compared to many other athletic activities. The exercise is also appropriate for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. Jumping rope is particularly effective in an aerobic routine combined with other activities, such as walking, biking, or running.

The general perception among people is that rope skipping is basically schoolgirl's recreation activity or something that is used by sportsmen as warm-up before an exercise routine. This Starter Guide will prove otherwise. The guide will take everyone back to the basics, whether you jump for fitness or sports cross training. This Starter guide and manual will introduce you the Basics of the Sport of Rope Skipping and what you will need to start you own association or club or approach the sport in general. Rope skipping involves different skill sets based on which points are awarded during competition by judges.

Traditional skipping and the modern sport "Rope Skipping" have little in common except for the basic principles. For example you mostly skip to modern music at speeds between 120 and 160 bpm (beats per minute). This causes very fast skipping and the rope often rotates round the skipper more than twice a second. There are practically infinite jumping combinations and, because of that (almost) no limits to creativity.

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History of Rope Skipping

"Jumping a rope" has been practiced for centuries around the whole world. In ancient China, a game called Hundred Rope Jumping was one of the favorite sports during the New Year Festival. The Greek jumped a pole in the early days of the Western civilization. Several painters in the Golden Ages painted children playing with a rope. In the Pakistani culture ropes have been a part of exercise since ages. Children all over the world were using a rope for their play as well as boxers and physiotherapists with their patients. Many athletes used the rope for their training, revalidation, condition or coordination. But somehow, nobody seemed to be interested enough to develop this activity in to a real "Sport" as such.

 

The Origin of the Sport

At the end of the sixties (the 1960's) nobody had ever heard of the sport of Rope Skipping (because it hadn't been developed yet). Everybody of course, knew how to jump a rope. Richard Cendali, who lived in Boulder (Colorado, USA) was no exception. Being a football-player, his coach submitted him to work on his condition. 'How should I do this?'. 'Well.... You can choose between running up and down the stairs of the stadium for an hour or take a rope and jump for 15 minutes.', he responded. The choice was obvious. Being a football-player, jumping a rope was for girls; he started running up and down the stairs. No problem until snow came down and made the surface slippery, causing him some serious problems. '...Or take a rope and jump for 15 minutes.', he remembered. So he did.

But soon the rope had no challenge to him. Just jumping up and down was no fun at all. So he started doing Criss-Crosses, Side Swings, Double and Multiple Unders in-between his sessions. The sessions increased, both in time and difficulty, and 'fun' was introduced inside the rope. His number of tricks grew and because he also was, and still is, teacher P.E., Richard thought it was time to introduce 'Rope Skipping' to his students. They were enthusiastic about the rope and the tricks and started inventing new tricks inside the single rope. They took the long rope and the Double Dutch, creating all kind of new tricks, combinations and possibilities. Rope Skipping was born.

In the early seventies (1970's) Richard Cendali started spreading Rope Skipping throughout the whole of USA and later the rest of the world. Everywhere he went, he brought hundreds and later thousands of ropes. He was given housing and meals and was offered the possibility of selling his rope after his workshops to earn back his costs for the trip. The money that was earned from this was used for spreading the sport. His students became the Rope Skipping Display Team and traveled together with him over the whole of the world.

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Rope Skipping is a young sport with many great benefits:

Rope Skipping is a low-cost, indoor-outdoor activity that requires little equipment or space and no special attire. The variety of movement combinations is unlimited, offering opportunities to express creativity and individuality. Rope Skipping improves fine and gross motor coordination, agility and fluidity of movement, flexibility and lateral movement. It also improves the senses of rhythm, speed, power, timing and balance. The rapid progression and improvement often experienced with jumping rope may help enhance self-esteem and body image. Rope Skipping also promotes social aspects. Especially Double Dutch and Team freestyle encourage team spirit.

There are, however, also enough possibilities for less acrobatically sportsmen and women. Rope Skipping is not only a lot of fun, but also good for your health, your Heart-Circulation-System becomes stronger and your condition improves. Hence, considered a very good cardio vascular exercise. One of the best exercises to counteract osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) during the later stages in life.

Skipping can also improve your Health:

Skipping can also improve your skill:

Skipping may also bring additional benefits including:


Rope Skipping is an ideal recreational activity for all ages and lifestyles. So jump rope to an enriched well-being and good health.

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