A tournament in Far Rockaway draws youth from around the area to compete in a double dutch competition. And as New York One found out jump rope is no longer just a recess activity.
For many, jumping rope is just an old school yard game, but for Stan Brown, it is a way of life.
"It has so many different twists to it, so many different rewards," said Stanley Brown, the Sports Coordinator at the Sorrentino Recreation Center.
Since the 70's Brown has been coaching double dutch, and in that time, he's hosted 37 annual Double Dutch Tournaments at the Sorrentino Recreation Center in Far Rockaway.
This year’s teams came from as far as Jersey City to compete.
"It is an urban game, but a world wide sport," says Brown.
The home team is Brown's own Pepper Steppers, current World Double Dutch Champions. Former and current members of the group say it’s more than just a team.
"When you are a pepper stepper, you are a pepper stepper for life. So it is a culture, it is a life style. Your friendships take you further on in life, so it doesn't just end with being on the double dutch court," former team member Marissa Danzy said.
"He is not only a coach, he worries about your grades, how you are doing in school and makes sure everything is okay," added current team jumper, Safiya Hazel.
A panel of judges evaluated jumpers on three categories, speed, freestyle and compulsory, a timed routine that must include tricks like cross overs and even turns. Participants say the skills they learn jumping rope translate over to their everyday lives.
"In the rope we communicate, we tell each other to pick our feet up and to breath, just to communicate," said Javon Lingston, current jumper for Stan's Pepper Steppers.
"Not to rush everything because everything is going to take time," says Hazel.
Although the recreation center has cut back its double dutch program from five days a week to only two, Brown says he is confident the sport will continue to transcend generations - like it has for the past 40 plus years of his life.