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!
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.
» left by Sheree (2 years 6 days ago.)
The game you describe is called Tinikling . If you search on the word, you will find more information on this dance from the Phillipines. Check out YouTube for some great videos of dancers skipping through the bamboo! Respond to this comment
» left by Donna Comerford from Texas (310 days 20 hours ago.)
I played this game 20+ years ago in Dublin Ireland. I am a new teacher and my 6th grade class discovered that jump rope was invented in China. i explained the game I remembered and I remembered that we would use old elastic from clothing. Your rules were awesome my class had a blast. Thanks
» left by Anonymous (1 year 324 days ago.)
Visit my website for further instructions....or order the CD--CJR YEAH!--to view lots of great visuals with the sequences illustrated to view the actual jumping patterns. Respond to this comment
» left by Alida from Ct. (1 year 310 days ago.)
we made our jump ropes by hooking rubber bands together.Now I'm hoping do do this with my after school class. The kids enjoy doing new things even if they're centuries old. Thanks for the instructions and many happy memories of the schoolyard. Respond to this comment
» left by Pat MacIntosh from Ottawa, Canada (1 year 64 days ago.)
Yes we saved up enough elastics to make the rope and sang a song that started out with 'Yogi in the Kaiser, Yogi yai yea' or words to that effect! Does anyone remember this song? I grew up in Montreal and in those much healthier days, recess was still a part of our day at school..it should still be!! The elastics would start around each persons ankles (2 people at each end of the elastic rope) then progressively rise higher and higher on their legs..calf,knee, thigh, then waist level..you really had to left those legs in the air. It was a blast...
» left by Carol from Newmarket, Ont. (42 days 17 hours ago.)
I'm from Montreal too. I was born in '53, so these elastic jump rope games bring back a lot of memories! To pick up from Pat MacIntosh: Yogi in the Kaiser, Yogi yai yea (aye, yea?) Tangle soble soupy oopy eh, ole!) (as best as I can remember).
I've played on 1/8" elastic band, 1/4" elastic band, and a motley, colourful assortment of different sized elastic bands slip knotted together. It got to be a challenge when he elastic got to be waist high or higher. Then we all got to be inventive so that we could get into the middle and do our thing!
Does anyone here remember any of the hand jive or hand games that you tapped, clapped and chanted silly songs like 'Chinaman had a wife (Alt: Chinaman he had a wife wife), let him such a miserable life (Alt: lead him such a miserable life life) Lead her up to the top of the hill, let her down like a rolling pill (Chorus) chicka lacka chee chai cho chicka lora, bunga lora piggy-wiggy whacko, hoe co poke-o hit him in the coco, chitterbug (jitterbug?) chitter bug chee chai cho cho.
Gads! The things one remembers from childhood - but can't always remember where I put the house keys! (LOL)
» left by S from Florida (1 year 310 days ago.)
I did the very same! Thanks for the kudos and Happy Jumping! Respond to this comment
» left by Donna from Australia (1 year 206 days ago.)
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!
» left by Tatiana Rodriguez from Bogotá- Colombia (1 year 183 days ago.)
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!!!!!
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!
» left by Anonymous (330 days 14 hours ago.)
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.
» left by Mark from Florida (243 days 3 hours ago.)
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
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