Good Old-Fashioned Playtime

How to: Jump Rope

Required: A jump rope, plus three or more people
 
“The key is to have good rope-turners,” says Chris Holmes, a former world-champion jumper and the founder of jumpropevideos.com.

 

• “Pretend you have a piece of chalk in your hand and are drawing a circle on a chalkboard,” Holmes says. For two ropes, pretend you’re drawing with both hands.
• “Make sure that you never pull the ‘chalk’ away from the ‘chalkboard,’ which can cause the rope to pop and trip the jumper,” Holmes says.
• Keep a consistent rhythm; watch the jumper’s feet to set the pace.
• A beginner should start between the turners, jumping in place with her feet together before the rope has started moving.
• When you’re ready to try jumping in while the rope is turning, stand close to one turner’s shoulder and watch the arm that’s swinging the rope. As it swings down, run to the center and jump over the rope on your way there.