Since posting the WODs for the Yolo Holiday Classic, I have been receiving emails and facebook messages regarding the proverbial Elephant in the Room of this competition (at least for some folks) – Double-Unders.

Of course, the question is: “Is there a scaling option for double-unders?”  And, of course, my knee jerk response is NO!!  If you really break down the double-under, the concept is simple…  Jump high enough and swing the rope quickly enough so that it passes under your feet twice in a single jump.  Then do it again…  59 more times in each round in the case of WOD 1 of our upcoming event.  I DO realize that people struggle with this skill – some more than others.  I also realize that the only way to develop the double under is to force yourself to do double-unders in WODs.

I can already hear the objections from well meaning would-be participants:  “If I have to do double-unders, I may not finish the WOD under the 12 minute time cap.”  OK.  That’s fine!!  At least you will have worked on developing a skill that you didn’t have prior to the event.  Also, if I stick to my guns and keep double unders as the only option in the WOD, it forces those who haven’t yet developed the skill to continue to focus and work on doing so.  I guess it’s just the coach in me that won’t allow me to let people off the hook.  the last thing I want is a gym full of people who have avoided doing double-unders for fear of a slower WOD time.

At this point, I realize that some of you out there are second guessing your intent to participate in our event on Saturday.  The way I see it is simple…  Like all CrossFit WODs, Saturday will be an assessment of your fitness (recall the 10 parameters of fitness we as CrossFitters use to define the concept of what it means to be fit.)  If you don’t recall, follow this link: http://journal.crossfit.com/2002/10/what-is-fitness-by-greg-glassm.tpl

No amount of single unders can appropriately test the coordination, accuracy, agility and endurance that double-unders demand.  It is for all these reasons that we will not be offering a scaled option for the double-under portion of WOD 1.  To steal a quote I recently read as a sign-off to an email (regarding this event no less) “Try things you have never done, so you may learn to do them” I think this just about sums it all up!!
WATCH THIS VIDEO for some great instruction on developing double-unders.  If you still need help after watching this video, get with your coach and work at it — I promise you’ll be glad you did in the long run.