How it works
Feet together, tap the heel in front. Feet together, tap the other heel in front. Four turns of the rope.
Teach the heel tap with the All-Access Skip Pass
Everything a teacher needs to teach this skill to a whole class, from skip-hop coach Lee Collinson-James:
- Step-by-step teaching: feet together, heel in front
- Spot the fault: the heel too far in front, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and where it leads next
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
Heel tap: Black Award
Black Award: Expert
A related skill for the Black Award: one to include in lessons.
To pass, a pupil:
- Performs 5 double unders (single bounces in between are fine)
- Performs a full 360 degree turn
- Performs a side swing cross on both sides
- Leads a group routine including individual, partner and long rope moves
- 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
In the scheme of work
Where this skill is taught in the skip-hop scheme of work.
- UKS2Lesson 2: Turns and tapsTricks, Teams and Double Dutch · Years 5 and 6
What you need
KS1 2.1m, KS2 2.5m or KS3 2.8m. skip-hop ropes are designed specifically for the skills shown on this site.
SEND and inclusion
Make it work for everyone
Ideas for pupils with SEND, and for anyone who finds heel tap hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Balancing on one foot while the other heel taps forward.
- TaskPractise “together, tap” without the rope.
- SpaceA floor spot in front to aim the heel at.
- TaskDouble bounce first.
Seated or no-jump version. Heel taps forward on the floor or footplate in rhythm.
An adapted pass is still a pass on the Skipping Awards. Use your own judgement and each pupil’s care plan. More in SEND and inclusion at skip-hop. Pupil struggling to get started? Try Lee’s tips for pupils who are struggling to skip.