RIVERDALE | Elvis Costello sang about the dangers of playing "double dutch with a real double duchess."

The Illinois Double Dutch League (IDDL) is urging area children and adults to ignore Elvis' warning.

The IDDL is a competitive double dutch league that has 20 teams located across the Chicagoland area. Its teams compete in American Double Dutch League-sanctioned events at the local, state, national and even international levels.

Sheila Kellogg, IDDL president, is currently looking to expand the league and hopes to see teams sprout up in Northwest Indiana.

"The sport of jump rope is a good physical activity," Kellogg said. "And compared to other organized sports, is the most inexpensive because all you need is a rope, t-shirts and good jumping shoes."

Competitive jump rope teams consist of two members twirling the jump ropes and one jumper leaping in between the ropes. Teams are based on the cumulative scores from three events.

In the Compulsory event, jumpers take part in a 25-second skill test.

In the Two-Minute Speed Test, judges award points for each time the jumper's left foot hit's the floor.

The final event, One-Minute Freestyle, is where the jumpers can do whatever tricks they feel like performing.

"You don't even need to know how to jump," Kellogg said. "Most teams will take anyone that comes in and teach them."

The IDDL season began in September, but teams can join the in progress season at any point. Individuals can join teams at any point in the season.