Other Sports: Double Loop Skipping

Dick Moss, Editor, Physical Education Update.com

Start With Small Double Loops

As children and boxers have known for years, skipping is an excellent fitness activity. Aside from its aerobic and anaerobic benefits, students who skip are also performing low-impact plyometrics.

Skipping also provides variety. For example, students can turn an extra-long skipping rope (36 feet), so that it simultaneously forms two small independent loops. This will allow two students to skip at the same time or perform interesting tricks and stunts.

How to Turn a Double Loop

Move Together to Make the Double Loops Larger. Two Students Will be Able to Skip Simultaneously

To turn a double loop, instruct the two turners to move backwards until the rope is taut. One turner then turns the rope in fast, tight circles. When two small loops begin to form, the other turner joins in, turning in the same direction but out of synchronization. To make the loops larger, the turners gradually move towards each other while making progressively larger turning motions.

Tricks
Once the double loops are formed, try some skipping tricks. For example you could have a student skipping in each of the loops simultaneously. Just remember, while the turners will be moving their hands quickly, each individual loop will be moving quite slowly, so the jumping rhythm of the skippers will also be slow.

For another trick you can take advantage of the fact that the center point of the two ropes does not move up or down - it's suspended at a point in midair. Your gymnastic types can cartwheel or dive over the center point onto a mat.

Reference: Susan Kalbfleisch and Tom Bailey, Double Dutch Handbook, Ceta Publishing, 1987.

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