What is Double Dutch?

According to Britanica, Double Dutch, is a “game in which the player must time jumps between two jump ropes twirling in opposite directions…At least three children are needed to play double Dutch. Two children hold the ends of two ropes and turn them simultaneously in opposite directions while one or two jumpers, situated between the two ropes, jump over them as they turn. The activity is often accompanied by a chant or rhyme that gives the game additional structure.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, December 3). double Dutch. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/double-Dutch-game

Not Just a Street Game

Double Dutch became a very popular cultural past time as well as a rigorous competitive sport.

Not Just Rope and Jumping

Professor Kyra Gaunt, PhD (interviewed here), talks about “memories in objects.” For her, holding the ends of the ropes triggers memories of jumping Double Dutch as a girl. She says such objects can be things like favorite toys or jewelry, but also books, songs, sounds, or anything that helps us remember significant moments in life.

Listen to the story Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox.

Think about a “memory object” in your life. What memories does it bring up? What does it mean to you? What feelings does it trigger? Share some ideas with someone and write and/or draw a memory of a “memory object” that brings up feelings here.

How To Double Dutch?

If you have had experience jumping and turning a single rope, you are ready to learn Double Dutch!

  1. You will need to find at least a group of three friends.
  2. You will need 2 ropes of the same length that are between 12 and 14 feet long.
  3. To turn the rope, you will have your elbows at your side and make circles from the elbow (left hand rotates clockwise, and right hand counter clockwise). The rotation should go from about your thigh to your chin.
  4. Keep an even rhythm/beat with the ropes.
  5. The jumper enters the ropes diagonally from close to a turner towards the middle of the ropes.
  6. The jumper will jump in when the rope closest to where they are jumping in hits the ground. The turners can say ready, set, go to set the jumper up for entry.
  7. Once the jumper is in, they will be aware of the r of the turners, but the turners also should be aware of the jumper’s speed.

Watch this video to see the steps in action!

Test Your Knoweldge!