A true test of rhythm, memory, and vertical leaping ability — played with a giant elastic loop that only gets harder the better you are.
Chinese Skip (known in some other cultures as Chinese Jump Rope or Elastics) is a true test of rhythm, memory, and vertical leaping ability. It was primarily dominated by girls in the schoolyards, though anyone with good hops and fast feet could join in. Unlike standard jump rope, the rope itself does not move — the jumper does all the work.
Before you can conquer the heights, you have to know the routine. Every neighborhood had its own specific chants and sequences, but a standard turn required completing a flawless pattern of footwork:
If you complete the sequence flawlessly, you move up to the next level. If you make a mistake, trip, or fail to clear the bands, you are "out" and have to swap places with one of the posts.
This is where the game turns from a simple rhythm exercise into a high-jump competition. After a jumper successfully completes their routine, the posts raise the bands.
| Level | Height | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | The Ankles | The starting point. The bands are low to the ground. It is purely about speed, memory, and precise footwork. This is the warm-up. |
| Level 2 | The Calves | A slight elevation. The footwork routine remains the same, but you have to pick your feet up just a bit more to avoid snagging the bands. |
| Level 3 | The Knees | This is where casual players start getting eliminated. Jumping "In" and "Out" requires actual effort, and jumping to land perfectly "On" the bands takes real coordination. |
| Level 4 | Under the Bottom (Thighs/Hips) | The difficulty spikes dramatically here. Performing intricate footwork with the bands at hip height is exhausting. You have to jump incredibly high just to get your feet inside the loop. |
| Level 5 | The Waist | At waist height, the traditional footwork routines often become physically impossible. The rules usually shift here: instead of full routines, the goal is often just to successfully clear the bands or use your foot to hook the far band, drag it down, and step on it. |
| Level 6 | The Armpits | We are entering legendary territory. At this height, jumpers are throwing high-kicks that would make martial artists proud. You have to fling your leg up into your own armpit, snag the band with your ankle, and force it down to the ground. |
| Level 7 | The Neck (The High Jump) | Only the absolute elite playground athletes ever cleared this. To beat the neck level, kids would often resort to gymnastics — performing mid-air splits, cartwheels, or wild acrobatic leaps just to hook the rubber band and bring it down. |
Chinese Skip wasn't just a game; it was a visible playground hierarchy. You always knew who the most athletic kid in the yard was by seeing exactly how high the rubber bands were when it was their turn to jump.
Wherever you grew up — Kingston, Montego Bay, Brooklyn, Toronto, London, Miami — if you remember playing this, we want to hear from you. Send us your story, your photos, or an old video. Every submission helps preserve this game for the next generation.
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