Double Dutch Jump Rope

In Double Dutch jump rope, two jump ropes are held at two ends and one or multiple players jump over the two ropes. This game requires a lot of coordination and quick response, along with good eye perception. A lot of concentration is required to play this game. Before going to the basics of playing Double Dutch jump rope, let us take a look at the history and origin of this game.

History of Double Dutch Jump Rope

The jump ropes are said to have origins in the Chinese, Egyptian and Phoenician rope-makers. These people used to make ropes with hemp and for this, they had developed a technique. In this technique, a bunch of hemp was tied to their waist and two strands of this hemp were attached to a wheel. The rope-makers walk backward and at the same time hemp was supplied by runners to the rope-makers. These runners have to jump the twisted rope. These runners had to have a great concentration and eye perception that was important to jump on the twisted rope. The basic requirements for becoming a good runner in spinning the hemp were, that the runner must have a good footwork and lithe bodies to jump accurately on the twisted rope. This is said to be the possible origination of the Double Dutch jump rope. It is said that the families of these runners and rope-makers passed on this technique from generation to generation and this is today played as a game.

But how did the name Double Dutch jump rope get its name? It is said that Dutch settlers on the banks of the Hudson river, brought this game to America. When English arrived, they saw the children of these Dutch people playing this game and named it Double Dutch. This game became very popular since then. The National Double Dutch League hosts a tournament of this game every year and teams from all over the world participate in this tournament.

How to Double Dutch Jump Rope?

Let us take a look at the way in which you can play this game with your friends and family.

• Select the rope spinners and rope jumpers amongst yourself. In order to play Double Dutch jump rope, two jump ropes are required. The spinners are supposed to hold the rope at two ends and stand facing each other.
• The spinners must hold the two ends of the jump rope properly, with a grip. The two ends of the jump rope must be held one in each hand and must be held waist high and shoulder length apart.
• The next step is to turn the jump rope in a inward direction. The right forearm must move counter clockwise and the left hand must move clockwise. Both the spinners must follow the same pattern of spinning and must spin the rope in the same way.
• The rhythm of the rope is controlled by counting one, two and so on...
• The jumpers must stand close to one of the spinner, but he must face the other spinner. While jumping, the jumpers must keep their feet and ankles close together.

This is how to play the Double Dutch jump rope. This is one of the acrobatic sport performed by gymnasts. Also, this sport is played for fitness by many youngsters. The Double Dutch jump rope competitions are categorized in three types viz., free style, compulsory and speed rope. Apart from all this, this is a great afternoon pastime for children, during their vacations. In schools, Double Dutch jump rope is a favorite game for kids, who love a little challenge in their play time.