History of Double Dutch

Double Dutch is a rope skipping exercise or game played when two ropes are turned in a crisscross manner by two turners and one or more players jump over simultaneously. In the 1800s, it was played mostly by boys. However, things changed by the end of the century and more girls began to participate. It is thought that girls invented the hand-clapping rhymes, tricks, and fancy footwork to add variety and excitement to the jumps.

This history of jumping rope can be dated back to the ancient Chinese, Phoenician, and Egyptian ropemakers. These ropemakers would tie hemp around their waists that were attached to the wheel and walked backward. While runners ran back and forth trying the supply them with hemp, they would have to jump the twisting rope. In order to accomplish this, they would have to have quick feet and good eye perception. It is a possibility that the footwork of the runners developed into a game, and was then passed on from generation to generation. [http://www.nationaldoubledutchleague.com/History.htm]

Double Dutch was introduced in the Americas by the Dutch in the 1600s. The Dutch settlers introduced the game to the town of New Amsterdam, or present day New York City. The English saw the children playing it and called it Double Dutch. It became especially popular in the urban areas. During World War II, it increased in popularity and was often played on the sidewalks of New York where little girls even twirled clotheslines. It became an element of hip-hop culture and would usually be prevalent at block parties. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/lost-moments/335204465/] Due to the boom of the radio and music in the 1950's, its popularity decreased incredibly.

David A. Walker revitalized Double Dutch in 1973. He was a New York City police detective and worked with his partner, Detective Williams, to create something for girls looking to compete in team sports. Using help from physical education teachers, he created the rules for present-day Double Dutch and turned the game into a World Class competitive team sport.

The first Double Dutch tournament occurred on February 14, 1974 where 600 students of grades 6-8 participated. Now competitions have expanded from citywide, national, and even international. Throughout the United States, almost 100,000 children from all over the world participate competitively for team positions.

Walker also went on to form the American Double Dutch League, International Dutch Federation, the National Double Dutch League, and the DDDD-Dynamic Diplomats of Double Dutch Team.

References

* Veronica Chambers, "Double Dutch",ISBN 978-0786805129, Jump At The Sun; 1 edition (October 14, 2002)
* Kyra D. Gaunt, "The Games Black Girls Play: Learning the Ropes from Double-dutch to Hip-hop", ISBN 0814731201, Published 2006 NYU Press

Footnotes

* http://www.nationaldoubledutchleague.com/History.htm
* http://www.flickr.com/photos/lost-moments/335204465/

External links

* http://www.sptimes.com/News/071901/TampaBay/Double_Dutch_Kids_jum.shtml
* http://www.flickr.com/photos/lost-moments/335204465/
* http://www.dispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/04/20070404-H1-02.html