USA Jump Rope

USA Jump Rope (USAJR) was formed on October 1, 1995 as a result of the merger of two national jump rope organizations (IRSO and WRSF). USAJR is a nonprofit organization committed to the exchange and sharing of jump rope knowledge and experience. The organization offers a wide variety of information about jump rope to its members, coaches, and physical educators through its books, video tapes, the Internet, and other resources. USAJR also offers unique experiences and educational opportunities through its sanctioned jump rope workshops, camps, seminars, and tournaments at the state, regional, and national levels. USA Jump Rope promotes healthy lifestyles and creates competitive opportunities through the sport of Jump Rope.

The sport of Jump Rope has received several major boosts in recent decades. Even before the founding of USA Jump Rope (USAJR) in 1995, Double Dutch competition was popularized by the American Double Dutch League in the late ’70s. Single Rope, Double Dutch, and Long Rope activities were also being developed and taught at camps and workshops throughout the world by members of the International Rope Skipping Organization (IRSO). Efforts were being made in the early ’90s to promote and standardize Rope Skipping by the World Rope Skipping Federation (WRSF).

In an attempt at cooperation between the proponents of the various disciplines within the Jump Rope world, members from several organizations were invited to develop a workable set of rules for a World Invitational Rope Skipping Championship in 1993 and 1994. The resulting dialogue led to the formation of a planning committee from IRSO and WRSF to form a national governing body for the sport of Jump Rope. While the USAJR Planning Committee was working towards a merger and a national tournament structure, the leaders of Jump Rope were approached by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to participate through Aerobics in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 1995. This participation evolved into the acceptance of Jump Rope into the AAU family of sports. It was also during this time that FISAC, the international body governing Jump Rope, was formed and the USA became a founding member.