Double Dutch (jump rope) facts for kids
Double Dutch is an exciting game where two long jump ropes swing in opposite directions. One or more players jump over them at the same time. It's a popular game played all over the world.
Double Dutch can be played just for fun at parties or in serious competitions. These contests range from local neighborhood events to big world championships. In 2009, Double Dutch even became an official school sport in New York City high schools! People sometimes wonder if the game came to America with early Dutch settlers or if it started in the 1900s.
Contents
How to Play Double Dutch
To play Double Dutch, you need at least three people. Two people turn the ropes, and one or more people jump. The jumpers often do cool tricks while they jump. These tricks can include moves from gymnastics or breakdance. Jumpers also use fancy footwork to make their routine exciting.
Double Dutch in Movies and Music
Double Dutch has appeared in many places, from music videos to documentaries.
Music and Documentaries
The 1981 song "Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith showed girls playing the game in its music video.
A documentary called Doubletime shared the story of how rope skipping and Double Dutch came together. It followed two top teams, the Bouncing Bulldogs and the Double Dutch Forces. The film showed them training to compete against each other for the first time. Their big competition happened at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.
In 2010, a PBS documentary called New York Street Games also featured Double Dutch. The famous actress Whoopi Goldberg even talked about the game in it.
Double Dutch on Screen
In 2007, the Disney Channel movie Jump In! made Double Dutch a main part of its story. The movie featured a team called the Dutch Dragons. This team was based on a real Double Dutch team from Harlem in 1997.
Another award-winning documentary, Jump!, also came out in 2007. It followed five teams from across the United States. They pushed themselves to their limits to try and win the World Rope Skipping Championship. This film first showed at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Google's Tribute to Double Dutch
On January 15, 2007, Google honored Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Their homepage featured a special Double Dutch logo. It showed black and white children playing together. This image represented the dream of unity from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Competitive Double Dutch Events
Double Dutch is a serious sport with many competitions.
Major Competitions
The National Double Dutch League organizes camps every year. They also hold a big Holiday Classic event. Teams from all over the world come to compete in this event.
Double Dutch is also a key part of other major events. These include USA Jump Rope Tournaments and the AAU Junior Olympic Games. The World Jump Rope Federation also holds annual competitions worldwide.
In July 2012, the World Jump Rope Championships took place. They were held at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Competition Categories
Double Dutch competitions have different categories. These include:
- Compulsory: Teams must perform specific, required moves.
- Freestyle: Teams create their own routines with creative tricks.
- Speed Rope: Teams focus on how many jumps they can do in a set time.
Images for kids
-
Michelle Obama in front of the White House
-
Double Dutch performance in Vancouver
-
Girls playing Double Dutch outside the Ida B. Wells Homes in Chicago, 1973
.jpg)
.jpg)
