Upper Key Stage 2 Skipping Unit: Tricks, Teams and Double Dutch
Six lessons that stretch Year 5 and Year 6 skippers: side swings, crossovers and turns, double unders, team skills, Double Dutch and a led routine, working towards the Red and Black Awards and on to Bronze.
This unit works towards
Every lesson practises award skills, and lesson 6 is an award day that opens the assessment pages and prints certificates. Children who are ready can move on to the next award at any time.
By the end of the unit, pupils can
- Side swing on both sides and open out into a skip
- Jump a crossover and a side swing cross
- Perform a full 360 degree turn and 5 double unders
- Turn Double Dutch and jump in for 4 bounces
- Lead a group routine with individual, partner and long rope moves
KS2 PE
- Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
- Perform using a range of movement patterns
- Take part in team challenges and competitive games
- Compare performances and achieve a personal best
The revised National Curriculum is due to be published in spring 2027 for first teaching in September 2028. We will update these links when it is.
The lessons
The full interactive lessons are part of the All-Access Skip Pass. The skill pages are free to everyone.
Turns and taps
Half and full turns using the side swing, plus toe taps, heel taps and the combined heel and toe tap.
Team skills
Windscreen wiper, travelling and chain skipping, then the Figure of Eight as a team challenge.
Double Dutch
Turning two ropes and jumping in using the skip-hop method: floor marks A, B and C and the count.
Award day: Red and Black Award day
Group routines led by each pupil, the 30-second speed challenge, and the Red and Black assessments.
How the lessons cover the awards
| Award | What pupils show | L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 | L5 | L6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Side swings on both sides and opens out into a skip | A | |||||
| Red | Jumps a crossover and uncrosses without stopping | A | |||||
| Red | Jumps into Double Dutch and bounces 4 times | A | |||||
| Black | Performs 5 double unders (single bounces in between are fine) | A | |||||
| Black | Performs a full 360 degree turn | A | |||||
| Black | Performs a side swing cross on both sides | A | |||||
| Black | Leads a group routine including individual, partner and long rope moves | A | |||||
| Black | Keeps the pot boiling in Figure of Eight in a team of 6 to 8: 5 full figures of 8 each (10 jumps), with the whole team succeeding | A |
● practised in that lesson · A assessed on the award day. Pupils pass when they show every skill with control on two different days, so the earlier lessons count as the first session.
Ropes for this unit
2.5 m (2.8 m if tall), plus Double Dutch pairs and 7.5 m long ropes.
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