I am a Crossfitter and among the challenges of this arduous style of training is the double under -- that's when the jump rope circles twice around under the feet for each jump. Athletes who have skill down pat make it look so easy -- the steady "flick-flick" of the rope as they do a continuous string of jumps sometimes over 100 consecutive jumps in a minute. But to learn how to do it is a misery of frustrating, uncoordinated stomping on the rope, and stinging welts on your legs and arms. And a lot of sweating and swearing.
This weekend I went to a two and half hour double under clinic led by the amazing Molly Metz in the video above and the JumpNrope troupe. Each aspect of the technique was broken down into small precise increments (and some light bulbs went off for me!) and I learned how to do the boxing fast-rope as a prelude to the double unders. I can now do five-eight double unders consistently in a row. It's so much fun when you get it right...swift, rhythmic, and strangely I am reminded of being ten years old again spending every free moment jumping rope on the street -- sometimes long past twilight. In the flick-flick of the rope, I can also hear the staccato beats of jump rope rhymes. I am on the sidewalk in front of my house again, practicing, and it is sweet to reunite with the ten year girl I once was skipping rope under the street light.
Here's an amazing video of JumpNRopes athletes showing their skills at the Crossfit Games this last summer.
And yeah...I will post a film of my own successes once I get more than five in a row! Promise.
