Chinese Jump Rope
Imagine having a great time playing with just a simple piece of
elastic string! Chinese Jump Rope is a jumping game popular
around the world!
Chinese Jump Rope found me as a child and once again, through
my profession as a physical educator. The game is funny like
that, popping up from generation to generation, verbally passed
from one to another like a folk tale.
Chinese Jump Rope is a challenging game played by anyone
anywhere.
The simple rules test the skill and coordination of all
players. An elastic rope is the only equipment needed for play.
The game is easily learned and always fun! Chinese children
first played Chinese Jump Rope in the 7th century. Rediscovered
by English children in the 1960's, Chinese Jump Rope remains as
popular as ever.
Chinese Jump Rope is no ordinary "rope skipping" game. "Enders"
hold an elastic rope while a "jumper" jumps the rope in special
ways. The challenge? To jump successfully!
RULES
A Jumper jumps until a jumping mistake or "miss" is made.
-A miss can be made if a jumper jumps "out" instead of "in".
-A miss is also made if a jumper touches the rope incorrectly
while jumping the game.
After a miss, the jumper trades positions with an ender.
The jumper starts from the very beginning of the game on the
next turn.
Every Chinese Jump Rope game begins with the rope held in basic
position.
Enders:
1. Face each other and step inside the rope.
2. Place the rope around the ankles.
3. Step back until the rope is stretched.
Two parallel jumping lines, about 12 inches (30cm)apart, are
stretched between the enders.
The jumper stands outside the rope, ready to play.
Simple words describe simple CJR jumping steps!
"IN"
Jump both feet inside the rope.
"ON"
Jump both feet on top of the rope. The left foot lands on the
left rope; the right foot lands on the right foot.
"OUT"
Jump both feet from the middle to the outside of the rope. Feet
land together on one side.
"SIDE OUT"
Jump over both ropes from one side. Both feet land together on
the other side of the rope.
"STRADDLE OUT"
Jump a straddle! The left foot lands outside the left side of
the rope. The right foot lands outside the right side of the
rope.
"SIDE-BY-SIDE"
Jump quickly side-to-side. Both feet start "out" one side of the
ropes.
-Jump side: The left foot lands outside the left rope. The right
foot lands inside the rope.
-Jump side again quickly: The left foot lands inside the rope.
The right foot lands outside the right rope.
Jumpers call the steps out loud while jumping. Calling helps the
jumper remember the "pattern" of the jumps!
Practice "jumping steps" with these simple jumping games!
JUMP 1: IN.. OUT.. SIDE-BY-SIDE.. ON.. IN.. OUT
JUMP 2: IN.. STRADDLE OUT.. SIDE-BY-SIDE.. IN.. OUT.. SIDE OUT
JUMP 3: SIDE OUT.. SIDE OUT.. ON.. SIDE OUT.. SIDE OUT.. ON ..
SIDE OUT
JUMP 4: SIDE-BY-SIDE.. IN.. STRADDLE OUT.. IN.. ON.. SIDE OUT
No enders around to hold the rope? Draw two parallel chalk
lines on a play surface (sidewalk, concrete, pavement).
Happy jumping!