I’ve noticed that different people prefer different types of double dutch ropes. Some people are more speed focused, so they use smaller diameter ropes like cable/wire ropes or licorice/speed ropes. Some people are more freestyle focused and use either beaded ropes or cloth ropes. Just on my team I’ve noticed that some people prefer beaded ropes for freestyle while others prefer cloth ropes for freestyle. Let’s put it to a vote… what kind of double dutch ropes do you prefer to use? If you are new to Double Dutch and curious about the differences, you can read more on my post about getting started with double dutch. If you’ve been jumping for a while and have tried different types of rope, leave a comment to tell us why you prefer the type of rope you use.
Here is a great promo video for DDF. It is a compilation of several of their high profile performances. It looks great. They also have a new website so you can stay on top of the latest DDF news. These guys are blowing up! Between filming music videos, commercials, TV appearances, and competitions, I don’t know when they have time to eat or sleep.
This is a performance by some Russian gymnasts in Moscow from 2004. They do some nice work with long ropes. Long ropes are great for performances where the audience is seated far back from the action, like at a basketball halftime show. It’s big and easy to see from far away. One of the nice things about long rope tricks is that they don’t have to be overly difficult to look really cool and make a good impression on an audience. Tricks like the rainbow and the umbrella are good examples of long rope tricks that aren’t very difficult, but make a nice visual spectacle for the audience.
This is awesome… here is another video of a sextuple under, only this one is in super slow motion. This was filmed with a very high speed camera and slowed down so much that a jump that takes less than 1 second in real time takes nearly 55 seconds in slow motion. This is a great way to study the form of one of the few people who can actually do a sextuple under. Notice how high he jumps and how low he gets to the ground when he lands. I thought it was interesting to see how his feet start out close together for the first four revolutions of the rope. After that his feet begin to separate as he prepares to land and brings his knees closer to his chest. When he lands his knees are basically touching his shoulders. I wish we could film all jump rope tricks in super slow motion like this. It could be a great teaching tool.
Here is a solid routine from the 2007 US National Jump Rope Championship. This is Kelly Fuller and Jamie Delozier from Jumping For Joy. This routine earned them 1st place in the 15-17 age division championship and 3rd in the Grand National championship. Notice how closely they are synchronized when they jump. That takes A LOT of practice. Nice work ladies!
Here is video of “The World’s Strongest Jumper”, James Brewster Thompson. James Thompson is a motivational speaker and performer that delivers a great message on the value of hard work and the importance of staying drug-free. His demonstrations combine jump rope with feats of strength that border on super-human. James is a very entertaining performer. He certainly knows how to ham it up. I had a chance to watch him perform many years ago at an IRSO camp in Colorado. He has a larger than life personality that the kids at camp loved. One of his most popular tricks is jumping rope while supporting the weight of three other people that are hanging on to him as seen in this video.
Here’s a video for the making of the Rise Up music video by Yves Larock. It’s a great video with an uplifting message that just so happens to feature jump rope very prominently. I also really like the song. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch the video.