"How DO I play Chinese Jump Rope?"
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2005
by Sheree Marty
Chinese Jump Rope
Imagine having a great time playing with just a simple piece of elastic string! Chinese Jump Rop
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!
Sheree S. Marty is the author and owner of the games book, "Chinese Jump Rope". She currently keeps the spirit of the game alive through her website, Chinese Jump Rope (http://chinesejumprope.tripod.com). Ms. Marty taught physical education for thirteen years. She earned her Master degree in Counseling in 2000 and has worked with elementary school children as a school counselor for the past nine years.
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More commentsI did the very same! Thanks for the kudos and Happy Jumping!
During the school holidays we found the elastic in a toy store. We needed the rules to play. Hours of fun for three little girls. Thanks for the help!
Thanks so much!!!!! as a child i used to play in school, but now that i´m a mother of three, i completly forgot how to play. you made us very happy!!!!!
Many Happy Jumping returns of the day to you!
I LOVE CHINISE JUMP ROLE
I used to play this as a little girl when I lived in South Africa. Now I live in the States and wanted to teach the game to my 5-year old. I did not know that it existed here as well, let alone that it was called Chinese Jump Rope! Reading your article brought back happy memories. Thank you so much for sharing!
My daughters have been playing a plethora of old fashioned games they found in a fairy book. It made me remember "elastics", as we called it, in Adelaide, South Australia. I could remember the first jump, but not all the calls and levels. I am so pleased that I can now teach my daughters the game that I adored as a child.They go to a small country school where the whole school often join in new games that kids bring in - I just know this will catch on.Thanks for the rules.Steph
Thank YOU for the story. The school your kids attend sounds wonderful. :)(And you are most welcome).
My daughter got a new jump rope and it had a alastic rope with it and i did not know what it was for when she asked me. So i asked my wife and right away she knew what it was for but had forgot how to play this game she played as a little girl. Thank you for your instructions
Glad to help. Have fun!
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