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On almost any playground in North America in the 1950s and 1960s, one could see a group of girls playing jump rope as they chanted a traditional rhyme, passed from child to child by word of mouth. Jumping rope (also called skipping rope) dates back to the first half of the 1800s, if not earlier. Over the years jump rope has been used as a children’s group or individual recreation, a gym class activity for boys and girls, and an exercise for athletes and other adults to strengthen their heart, lungs, and legs.

In the most traditional group form, two players hold opposite ends of a rope while others take turns jumping in the middle. The two holding the rope twirl it so that the center of the rope touches the ground at the lowest point on its circular path and rises above the jumper’s head at the highest point. The jumper runs in from the side and then jumps or runs in place to avoid touching the rope as it passes underneath. To keep time, this typically involves a smaller jump or running step while the rope is overhead. It is a challenge of timing, coordination, and (in some games) endurance. Depending on the game, the jumper may keep jumping until he or she “misses” (collides with the rope) or may run out from the rope at the appropriate moment, making room for the next player’s turn.

Jump rope rhymes serve two purposes: they help keep the rhythm for the twirlers and jumper, and they indicate the particular game and stunts the jumper must perform. There are countless variations. For instance, in “Teddy Bear,” the jumper tries to keep rhythm and avoid the rope while doing the indicated motions—touching the ground, turning around, and so forth:

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go upstairs.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say good-night.
There are several different extended versions of “Mabel, Mabel,” all with the same beginning and end:
Mabel, Mabel, set the table.
Don’t forget the red-hot pepper!
On the words “red hot pepper,” the twirlers double their speed and the jumper tries to keep jumping without touching the rope. In addition to “red hot pepper,” other common variations include jumping backward, turning in place, bowing, or curtsying. Two people may jump at a time or take overlapping turns, or two ropes may be twirled at the same time in opposite directions (“double dutch”).

Jumping alone requires a shorter and usually lighter rope. The individual holds one end of the rope in each hand and twirls it with an arm/wrist motion while running or jumping in place.