Creative Rhythms
JUMP ROPE TEACHING PROGRESSION
LONG ROPE
- LINE OR STATIONARY ROPE JUMPING: Stand with side to the line or rope. On the signal and in the rhythm established by the teacher, student jumps back and forth over the rope. Single-beat jump: pass over rope on each jump.
Two-beat jump: jump over rope on first beat, jump to the side of rope on the second beat.
- CRADLE Stand with side to rope, which is gently swung back and forth.
- CRADLE TO TURN: Begin with the cradle; after rope is swung several times and jumping rhythm is established, rope is brought up and overhead to turn as in long rope jumping.
- STANDING IN: Begins standing with one side to the rope; on count of three, the rope is brought up and around to begin turning.
- RUN THROUGH FRONT DOOR: The rope is turned so it is moving down and toward the jumper. As rope passes in front of jumper, the jumper runs through as the rope moves away. Stand close to rope, move through at an angle.
- RUN IN THE FRONT DOOR Jumper moves in, stops in center and jumps the rope one or more times.
- RUN THROUGH BACK DOOR: Rope is moving up and toward the jumper. The jumper moves as the rope comes up and passes the jumper's eyes, waits briefly for the rope, jumps the rope, then moves out away from the rope.
- RUN IN THE BACK DOOR: Similar to run through the back door, but jumper stays in to jump rope several times.
STUNTS
Individually
- Move into the rope and jump a specified number of times before moving out.
- Touch a heel in front; touch a toe behind.
- Turn while jumping: quarter turn, half turn, three-quarter turn, whole turn.
- Touch a hand to floor while jumping
- Travel forward and backward while jumping.
- Pepper: Rope is turned rapidly.
- Jump a short rope while jumping the long rope
- Several long ropes are positioned as spokes of a wheel. Jumpers move from rope to rope
Balls:
Play catch with a partner standing outside the rope.
Bounce or toss a ball to self while jumping.
Play catch with partner who is jumping with you.
Double Dutch:
Two turners hold the ends of two ropes. The ropes are turned toward each other so that as one rope is up the other is touching the floor. Each time one jumps, a rope is passing under their feet, requiring a single-beat jump. It is easier to move into the rope at an angle, standing with your shoulder nest to the turner and the foot away from the turner slightly forward. Watch the "front door" rope but be prepared to jump the "back door" rope as you move in.
JUMPING THE SHORT ROPE
Children should master the rhythm of long rope jumping before trying the short rope.
Suggestions for teaching:
- Have them hold rope out in front of them so that it forms a U. They then try to jump over the rope without moving it.
- Some may find it easier to turn the rope backward, which eliminates the tendency to throw the rope with too much force to the floor.
- Hold rope in fingers with hands close to sides. Let wrists and hands do most of the work.
- Control height of jump. Only need to clear the rope, landing softly.
- May use single-beat or double-beat, whichever seems easiest.
Activities:
- Jump with feet together
- Hop on one foot. Alternate: 2 hops R' 2 hops L etc.
- Move forward or backward while jumping.
- Jumping jacks
- Scissors: forward/backward stride position
- Skip, step-hop, schottisehe, cherkessiya, (other dance steps) while jumping.
- Turn while jumping: quarter, half, three-quarter, or full
- Crisscross: cross arms as rope passes under body, uncross as it passes overhead
- Double under: pass rope twice under the feet on a single jump
Partner Jumping: One rope, two "jumpers"
- Jump facing one another, both facing same direction, or back to back
- One partner jumps and turns 360 degrees while turner turns and jumps.
Partners: Two ropes, partners holding one end of partner's rope.
Creative Rhythms Packet - Table of Contents
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