Jump!

Director:  Helen Hood Scheer

“Who would have thought a single rope could do so much?” – Jump!

Did you know jumping rope was an actual sport with regional, national, and even international competitions?  Yep, me neither. That is until I saw this very well done, very engaging documentary by director Helen Hood Scheer.

The story follows five teams from different age groups and different regions across the United States that are part of the USA Jump Rope Federation (I kid you not), as they prepare for and compete in the regional, national, and finally world championships.  Events include everything from single-rep freestyle to 3-minute speed to double-dutch freestyle.  At first you can’t believe this could be considered a real sport, but after watching these kids you can’t believe it wouldn’t be. 

Their routines are fast-paced, rhythmic, breathtaking combinations of artistry, athleticism, and gymnastics with flips, twirls, jumps, and routines all over, around, and through a rope flying fast enough to burn.  It’s quite mesmerizing.  As is the devotion these kids have to the sport.  The hours spent every day practicing and trying new moves, jumps, and routines, the girl with asthma who won the three minute speed who almost collapses every time she practices as she pushes past her need for air, and the sheer number of times one guy hits his head on the gym floor practicing a new flip, proves these are true athletes who love their sport. 

Their goal is to make it an official Olympic sport.  The fear is that in doing so it will lose the special camaraderie they have as people who just love what they do.  Can you imagine the American and Japanese gymnastics teams teaching each other their tricks during a competition?  Not so much. They do here. The love of this sport just for the love of the sport is something to see.  Plus, the quick and masterful editing style and perfectly chosen upbeat background music show the routines and competitions to their fullest, most dramatic extent.  It’s a fun film and fun sport to watch.

When the young girl with asthma wins her event for team USA at the World Championships and breaks down in tears of joy gasping, “Everyone was chanting my name!” there is no doubt that these kids are athletes.

Lucy Cruell