Jump-worming: Extraordinary moves of a heart-healthy team

When Steven Shelley, 15, tried out a new move for Jump Rope Extraordinaire's show four years ago, it wasn't because the team lacked excitement.

It was simply because Shelley had learned a break-dancing move called the worm and he wanted to see if he could do it over a swinging jump rope.

"At first, I tried to do it sideways, horizontal to the rope, and then I figured out the rope has to go under my legs part of the time instead of having it go under my body all at the same time," he said Friday at Mark Twain Elementary School.

At first, it was hard, that worm, but within two weeks Shelley perfected the move. He's been doing it now for four of his six years with the team.

"It's still difficult when you use your hands to push up to try and not let the rope hit them," he said.

One other team member of the 84 members of Jump Rope Extraordinaire, Ty Wilson, 12, can do the worm over a jump rope.

Jump Rope Extraordinaire, made up of students from Elko Junior High and four elementary schools in Elko, travels once a year to perform shows promoting heart health.

In addition to entertaining students at Mark Twain, the team also visited Fritsch, Empire, Fremont and Seeliger elementary schools either Thursday or Friday.

"The moves go from basic to very difficult," said Pam Smiley, one of the directors of the team. "The students have to be cognizant of what they're doing, plus communicate with the other kids on the floor.

"They learn to work with each other. They learn to be respectful of each other. They learn how to perform. The biggest benefit is they get a lot of self-esteem."

Past trips took the team to Reno, Fallon and Yerington. Jump Rope Extraordinaire is sponsored by the American Heart Association.

"There's three things I want you guys to remember because it will help prevent heart disease in all of you," said Ray Henderson, youth market director for AHA at Mark Twain. "Eat right, exercise and no smoking."

While seeing moves like the octopus, the rainbow, the umbrella, and the bump rump, might make students rethink their concept of exercise - particularly jump roping - one Mark Twain student, Maxwell Andrew, 7, saw a move he'd never seen before.

"I learned about jumping on my bottom," he said.

Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

American Heart Association

• According to Ray Henderson, youth market director for the American Heart Association, many parents of children born in the past five years will outlive them because of obesity in today's youth.

• For more information on the American Heart Association, see www.americanheart.orgo on the Internet.

Jumpin' moves

• When doing the worm, a performer lays on the floor, and moves their body wavelike either forward or backward. Steven Shelley can do it up to 15 times over a swinging jump rope.

• For information on break dancing history and some of its moves, including the worm, see www.lyricsvault.net/history/breakdancing.

• For jump roping techniques for students see www.shapeupshop.com