What is Rope Skipping?
[ Introduction | The types of jumping | The ropes ]

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. There are, however, also enough possibilities for les acrobatical 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.
Rope Skipping also promotes social aspects. Especially Double Dutch and Teamfreestyle encourage team spirit.

The types of jumping

As mentioned above, there are several different forms of jumping. Here we would like to present them in detail.

Speed

The word says it all: Here you try to do as many jumps of the same kind as possible in a given time. This is mostly the so-called "jogging" or the "Double or Triple Under".

Freestyle

Every skipper skips a selection of different jumps. This routine is judged on the degree of difficulty of each jump and overall technique and creativity. The skipper has free choice of the skills and even their order. Furthermore, you may skip to music.

Wheel

In the Wheel, a number of skippers form a chain by exchanging their left handle with their left neighbour respectively the right one. Later on you can do tricks like turning or swapping positions.

Teamfreestyle

This is almost the same as Freestyle, but here 4 people jump a routine of their own creation. This is also judged on difficulty, technique and creativity.

Double Dutch

Two turners turn two ropes. Now a third (fourth, fifth, ...) person can jump tricks in between. There is also the possibility that the turners show tricks, too.

The ropes

There are 3 main types of ropes used for specific jumping techniques.

The Single-Rope (or: Speed-Rope)

This rope is made of plastic which is drawn through a hollow handle at each end. Because of that the rope turns more easily and gets faster. This rope is mostly used for Speed but also for Freestyle.

The Beaded-Rope (or: Wheel-Rope)

This rope is made of nylon and has 4 cm long plastic "beads" strung on like beads on a necklace. Compared to the single rope, the trajectory of the beaded rope is more stable, making it particularly suitable for acrobatic jumps. Due to the special effects, the beaded rope is especially suitable for performances.

The Double-Dutch-Rope

This rope is nothing other than a 3-5 metre long mountaineering rope. Mostly it is used in pairs. As it's name says, it is almost only used for Double Dutch.

What is Rope Skipping? [ Introduction | The types of jumping | The ropes ]