_06_(cropped).jpg) AGhanaian boy playing with a skipping rope | |
| Type | toy |
|---|---|
| Company | various |
| Country | various |
| Availability | 16th century– |
| Materials | various |
Askipping rope (orjump rope) is a tool used in a sport involving rhythmic jumping over arope swung underfoot and overhead. The activity, practiced both recreationally and competitively, encompasses disciplines such as freestyle routines—featuring creative techniques—and speed events focused on maximizing jumps within timed intervals.
Originating from indigenous practices observed in the 16th century and later popularized in 17th-century Europe, rope skipping transitioned from a gendered pastime to a widespread sport. It flourished notably in 19th-century urbanized societies, where it became a fixture of children's culture.
Governed globally by organizations such as theInternational Jump Rope Union (IJRU), the sport is recognized for itscardiovascular benefits, offering efficientcalorie expenditure and coordination improvement. Competitive frameworks include international tournaments categorized by age, sex, and skill, showcasing techniques ranging from basic jumps to advanced maneuvers like double unders and crossover steps.
The activity gained renewed prominence during theCOVID-19 pandemic as an accessible home-based exercise, supported by equipment variations such as weighted, beaded, and speed ropes tailored to diverse training needs.
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Explorers reported seeing aborigines jumping with vines in the 16th century.[where?] European boys started skipping in the early 17th century. The activity was considered indecent for girls due to concerns of them showing their ankles. Girls began skipping in the 18th century,[1] addingskipping chants, owning the rope, controlling the game, and deciding who may participate.[2]
In the United States, domination of the activity by girls emerged as their families moved into cities in the late 19th century. There, they found sidewalks and other smooth surfaces conducive to skipping, along with a high density of peers with whom to engage in the sport.[2] EducatorLucy Nulton studied the rhymes that American children chanted or sang while jumping rope in the mid-20th century.[3][4]
There are many techniques that can be used when skipping. These can be used individually or combined in a series to create a routine.
For solo jumping, the participant jumps and swings the rope under their feet. The timing of the swing is matched to the jump. This allows them to jump the rope and establish a rhythm more successfully. This can be contrasted with swinging the rope at the feet and jumping, which would mean they were matching the jump to the swing. This makes it harder to jump the rope and establish a rhythm.
Jump with both feet slightly apart over the rope. Beginners usually master this technique first before moving onto more advanced techniques.[citation needed]
Turn the rope slowly and jump once before jumping over the rope as in a basic jump.
Use alternate feet to jump off the ground. This technique can be used to effectively double the number of jumps per minute as compared to the above technique. This step can be used for speed events.[5]
Also known as crossover, cross arms, or simply a cross. Perform the basic jump whilst crossing arms in front of the body.
The rope is passed by the side of the participant's body without jumping it.
Perform the criss-cross whilst crossing one arm behind the back.[citation needed]
A high basic jump, turning the rope twice under the feet. Turning the rope three times is called a triple under. In competitions, participants may attempt quadruple (quads) and quintuple under (quins) using the same method.[citation needed] TheGuinness World Record currently belongs to Kirato Hitaka, who has managed to do 8 revolutions in one jump.[6][7]
One foot is positioned slightly forward and one foot slightly back. The person positions their bodyweight primarily over their front foot, with the back foot acting as a stabiliser. From this stance, the person jumps up several times (often 2-3 times) before switching their stance, so the front foot becomes the back foot, and the back foot becomes the front foot. And so forth. An advantage of this technique is that it allows the back leg a brief rest. So while both feet are still used in the jump, a person may find they can skip for longer than if they were using the basic two-footed technique.
Perform the criss-cross with one arm crossing under the opposite leg from the inside.
A basic jump with one arm hooked under the adjacent leg. Doing Crougar with the non-dominant leg in the air is easier
Also known as Awesome Anna or swish. Alternates between a leg over and a toad without a jump in between.
Perform the toad whilst one arm crosses the adjacent leg from the outside.[citation needed]
A cross between the inverse toad and the toad, with both arms crossing under one leg.[citation needed]
The participant does ahandstand, returns to their feet, and turns the rope under them. A more advanced version turns the rope during the return to the ground.[citation needed]
A triple-under where the first 'jump' is a side swing, the middle jump is a toad and the final jump in the open.
One hand lets go of the rope, which is then swung in a loop on the side. The rope is caught and jumping continues. First demonstrated by Mike Fry in 2004.[8][unreliable source?]
One hand lets go of the rope, which is swung on one side, then pulled over to the other side, and back and forth. After a number of swings, the rope is recaught. Jumping can continue throughout.[9]
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In competitions, participants are required to demonstrate competence using specific techniques. The selection depends on the judging system and the country in which the tournament is held.[10]
Skipping may be used as acardiovascular workout, similar tojogging orbicycle riding, and has a highMET orintensity level. Thisaerobic exercise can achieve a "burn rate" of up to 700 to over 1,200calories per hour of vigorous activity, with about 0.1 to nearly 1.1 calories consumed per jump, mainly depending upon the speed and intensity of jumps and leg foldings.[citation needed] Ten minutes of skipping are roughly the equivalent of running an eight-minute mile. Skipping for 16–20 minutes is enough to burn off the calories from a candy bar and is equivalent to 45–60 minutes of running, depending upon the intensity of jumps and leg swings. Many professional trainers, fitness experts, and professional fighters greatly recommend skipping for burning fat over any other alternative exercises like running and jogging.[11][12]
Weighted skipping ropes are available for such athletes to increase the difficulty and effectiveness of such exercise. Individuals or groups can participate in the exercise, and learning proper techniques is relatively simple compared to many other athletic activities. The exercise is also appropriate for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
Skipping grew in popularity in 2020 when gyms closed or people stayed home due tocoronavirus restrictions across the world.[13] These workouts can be done at home and do not require specialized equipment.
The world governing body for the sport of jump rope is theInternational Jump Rope Union (IJRU).[14] It is a merger of two previous rival world organizations: the International Rope Skipping Federation (FISAC-IRSF), and the World Jump Rope Federation (WJRF). There have been 11 World Championships on every alternate year by FISAC-IRSF, with the final competition being held inShanghai, China.[15] There have been 7 World Jump Rope Championships held every year by (WJRF); the final competition taking place inOslo, Norway.[16] Previous locations of this championship included Washington DC, Orlando, France, and Portugal. IJRU held its first World Tournament inColorado City, Colorado in 2023 and plans to hold its second one inKawasaki, Japan in 2025.[17]
In 2018, FISAC-IRSF and WJRF announced the merger organizationIJRU.[18] IJRU has become the 10th International Federation to gain GAISF Observer status. The decision was taken by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Council, which met during SportAccord in Bangkok. Observer status is the first step on a clear pathway for new International Federations towards the top of the Olympic Family pyramid. Those who wish to proceed will be assisted by GAISF, leading them into full GAISF membership through the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).[18]
In 2019 theInternational Rope Skipping Organisation (IRSO).[19] re-emerged and reactivated its activities as governing body of skipping rope sport. The organization is headed by Richard Cendali, who is referred to as the grandfather of the sport of jump rope.[20] IRSO had disagreements with both FISAC-IRSF and WJRF for ignoring several long-standing organizations in their merger. Various jump rope organizations that were long-standing for the development of the sport were left out of the merger of IJRU and came under IRSO under the leadership of Richard Cendali. The USA Jump Rope Federation and newly formed Asian Rope Skipping Association also joined IRSO and decided to host their World Championship in conjunction with AAU.
The first World Inter-School Rope Skipping Championship[21] was held at Dubai, November 2015.[22][23][24][25][26][27][excessive citations] The second World Inter-School Rope Skipping Championship was held at Eger, Hungary. The Championship was organized by World Inter School Rope Skipping Organisation (WIRSO).[28] Second, third and fourth[29] World Inter-School championships held in Hungary 2017, Hong Kong 2018 and Belgium 2019 respectively.
Historically, there were two competing jump rope organizations in theUnited States: the International Rope Skipping Organization (IRSO), and the World Rope Skipping Federation (WRSF). IRSO focused onstunt-oriented and gymnastic or athletic type moves, while WRSF appreciated theaesthetics and form of the exercise. In 1995, these two organizations merged to form the United States Amateur Jump Rope Federation which is today now known as USA Jump Rope (USAJR).USAJR has hosted annual national tournaments, as well as camps, workshops, and clinics on instruction since 1995. Jump rope is also part of theAmateur Athletic Union and participates in their annualAAU Junior Olympic Games.[30] More recently, the American Jump Rope Federation was founded in 2016 by previous members of WJRF. It is recognized as the official governing body for the sport of jump rope in the United States by IJRU.[31]
The National Collegiate Jump Rope Association was formed in 2019 by a group of students.[32]
In the US, schools rarely have jump rope teams, and few states have sanctioned official events at the elementary school level.
Speed jump ropes are made from a thin vinyl cord or wire and are primarily used for speed jumping or double unders. They are best for indoor use, because they will wear down fast on concrete or other harsh surfaces. Licorice jump ropes are also made from vinyl cord or PVC and are primarily used for freestyle jumping. The beaded ropes make rhythmic jumping very easy, because the jumper can hear the beads hitting the ground and strive for a rhythmic pattern. Leather jump ropes are thicker and is less likely to tangle or wear down with outdoor use.
Media related toJump ropes at Wikimedia Commons
