Jump Rope (events)
by: The-Muffin-Man

60 second speed
As the name describes, this event lasts one minute and is judged on how many jumps you can perform in that time. As with all speed events, only the right foot is counted (because we go too fast to count both feet =D), and in the end the score is doubled. My personal record is 310, although that's only good enough for about 8th place @ Nationals...just to give you a scope of how good people really are :-\

Speed Relay
This event consists of 4 people, each with their own speed rope. Each person goes for 30 seconds as fast a possible, and once that 30 second interval is over the next person starts.

Double Dutch Speed
Yup, the traditional double dutch! Except people go so fast they're legs literally appear to be a blur of motion. This event consists of 3 people. There are 2 turners (obviously), and one jumper. Every 45 seconds, the turners and jumpers alternate, so that by the end of the event every person in the group has jumped.

3-Minute speed
Basically, you jump as fast as you can for 3 minutes. It's insane...800 is my record but there are people out there who are pretty much machines and get more than 900...

Triple unders
For those of you who don't know jump rope lingo, a triple under is where you jump once, and the rope passes under you three times. Sounds difficult enough, except this event requires you to do as many consecutive triple unders as you can. I get about 70, but the top competitors get around 130...yikes.

Double Dutch Pairs Speed
There are 4 people in this event. Two turners, and two jumpers. Every minute the jumpers switch places....and you go as fast as you can. Basically sums up this event.

Singles Freestyle
This is the first of the freestyle events, which are really fun to watch. Singles freestyle involve one person, who performs a routine that they created to a panel of judges. There are 4 sections to a freestyle routine:
---Rope manipulation: This section is characterized by different styles of rope jumping...crosses, leg crosses, back crosses, releases,etc. There is sooo much you can do with this section...originality and unique, "never-before-seen" tricks are the key to success.
--Multiples: Probably my favorite of the four...involves rope tricks with multiple unders, meaning that you jump once and the rope rotates under you several times before you land. Once again, you can get some pretty insane stuff going on with this section...like maybe triple under backflip? I'm working on it :)
--Inversion and Displacement: The name sounds fancy, but it's pretty simple....this section revolves around gymnastics and tricks that require the performer to jump in a different way beside standing straight up. The more gymnstic this section is, the more enjoyable it is to watch.
--Change of speed: The name sounds kinda dorky, but what this segment involves is fast rope turning and footwork. Not exactly my favorite section...and not exactly the funnest to watch, but it's a required element.

Pairs Freestyle
Pretty much the same as Singles Freestyle...except with two people! You have to stay synchronized with your partner at all times. There's one more new required element in this event, and that's Dynamic Interaction. Oooh...another fancy name, but basically you and your partner need to jump each other, or interact in some way. You can get some pretty crazy stuff with this.

Double Dutch Freestyle
Probably one of the best events in terms of visual creativity...you have a group of 3 people perform a routine based on the same 4 elements above...except with double dutch ropes. Me just explaining it to you doesn't give it justice...watch the video in my mods. Even that wasn't a really fantastic routine...but it was the only one Youtube had :( My videos can't upload because they're not digital...sad day.

Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle
Essentially the same as standard double dutch freestyle, except you add another person. This is a very complicated event, because it requires every single performer to be doing something...you can't just have someone standing there while the other 3 jump.

Team Show
This is broken down into two different subcategories: small group, and large group. Small group is a group of 6-12 people who perform a routine in sync...and large group is 13 or higher. There are a lot of other required elements, but going into it would be too complicated, and at this point I'm feeling rather lazy :)
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Ok, so I hope that gives you a little more insight into the world of competitive jump rope! You can't really appreciate it until you watch exactly how skilled some of these people are...my words just don't do it justice!