Partner Skipping is an extremely effective way for children to develop coordination, cooperation and team building skills.
Skill #1
Mirror Skipping
This partner skipping skill is perfect for novice skippers to begin with.
Stage 1
Skippers face each other and the rope is shared, one holding a handle in the left hand and the other holding a handle in the right. When facing each other, it should appear as if looking in a mirror. Once the skippers have the rope held in the correct hand, arms begin rotating in a downward direction, smoothly and slowly. The rope has to hit the floor. Although it will be tempting to bend over to make it hit the floor, they must move closer to each other in order to achieve this.
Stage 2
As the rope is descending and about to hit the floor, the corresponding leg (left leg for left arm or right leg for right arm) is raised so that the rope can be passed underneath and taken with the other hand. The handle is given back to the original hand as the rope ascends and the process repeated on the other leg or the same leg. The aim is to pass the handle under the leg at the same time as your partner, synchronising the rope turning and the passing of the rope. The circular movement of the arms should not be broken.
Stage 3
Skippers swap hands, turn the rope in the opposite direction and pass the rope under the other leg.
Skill #2
360 Degree Spin
This skill can be performed with the Partner Skipping Skill #1 Mirror Skipping.
The starting position is the same as Mirror Skipping and can be included in the routine for variation. As the rope hits the floor, instead of passing the rope underneath the leg, the skippers turn around 360 degrees bringing the arm that’s holding the rope almost above their heads. The arm with the rope must be kept in front of the skipper at all times.
It is very important that the skippers prepare to turn in the correct direction, i.e with the rope. The direction to turn is determined by the direction of the rope, clockwise or anti-clockwise, as it hits the ground. The easiest way to remember which way to turn is this: the skipper with the rope in their left hand turns to their right, the skipper with the rope in their right hand turns to their left.
Skill #3
Running Into a Turning Rope
To execute this partner skipping skill the skipper and bouncer stand approximately three large paces away from each other facing one another. (This is a guideline distance and can be less as long as the bouncer is far enough away not to get struck by the rope.) The signal to run in is when the turning rope passes the bouncer’s nose. They follow the falling rope and run into position and start skipping.
To exit the rope, the bouncer turns 90 degrees and runs out the moment the rope passes under their feet.
skip-hop tip: If the bouncer doesn’t get out fast enough, the skipper can move the rope to the left or right to avoid it catching the bouncer.
Skill #4
Face to Face
To perform this partner skipping skill two skippers face each other with only one holding the rope. Arms should be placed at waist height with the rope behind the skipper’s feet, ready for forward skipping. The correct distance to stand apart from your partner can be calculated easily by extending straight arms out in front. If your partner’s shoulders can be reached with finger tips (without bending at the waist), the distance is perfect.
The skipper begins their skip and the bouncer waits until it’s time to jump.
skip-hop tip: For this Face to Face partner skipping skill to work, it is essential that both skippers maintain their distance and remain on the spot (unless otherwise agreed) and they keep the same rhythm and speed as each other. Any fluctuations in speed and any changes in position will result in the move failing.
Have Fun – Keep Skipping
The skip-hop Team
