Hello everyone!
I know this list hasn't been very active for a while, but I hope that
we can start up some new topics. First of all, I wish everyone luck in
competition and for those in the US that have already had regional
tournaments, I wish you much luck at Nationals.
As the assistant coach of Jumping for Joy and a jumper as well, I was
wondering whether or not the international and national boards have had any
controversy in all around strength in double dutch? I know that in America,
we break our competition routines into elements and have found that certain
people become good at only one required element, because that element is the
one they have to compete. I realize there is not enough time or the
resources to have one person go through every element by themselves, but it's
a shame that a jumper has to dedicate him/herself to only one part of a
routine (whether it be multiple unders, speed dance, power, etc.). Many of
our jumpers have complained about this, so again, I was wondering if any
solutions had been laid on the table.
For all the jumpers on the list, do you find this true at all? When
competing as a team, as we did with IRSO, one person on each team would do
the singles freestyle...I'm not sure I like this idea too much either, for it
really only gives one person the chance to excel in double dutch and all lose
when it comes to experience within each position in the routine.
On the upside, I do love the teamwork experience that jump rope
offers, along side the individual competition which strengthens the sport,
where sports like basketball provides only teamwork. I do hope we can all
work together and find a really solid foundation, so that this sport will
grow until it becomes as American as football and baseball, as well as to
stretch it's fingers into the international scene as have ice skating and
track.
Thanks for any feedback you can offer,
Ginny Sayre
The List Manager