How it works
Skipper and bouncer stand side by side. The skipper brings the rope over and steps round in front of their partner, scooping the rope under the bouncer backwards for one or two partner skips. Then they step out to the bouncer's other side, skipping forwards again.
skip-hop tipThe bouncer watches the skipper to know exactly when to jump.
Why partner skipping matters
skip-hop coach Lee Collinson-James has used partner skipping for 25 years to help children learn to skip. It’s the doorway that unlocks the mystery of turning a rope and jumping, and putting the two together. It can give a child their first ever experience of being inside a turning rope, and their first step towards understanding how a moving rope and bouncing feet fit together.
Partner skipping is surely one of the most effective ways to develop children’s physical health and spatial awareness. None of it is possible without the three C’s: cooperation, coordination, concentration.
It is that eureka, “I can do it” moment that can make the most reticent child into an active teenager. I have first-hand experience of this: lifelong adult skippers.
For a child who is struggling to skip, start face to face with them: Lee’s tips for SEND pupils and young skippers.
Teach the Mexican hat 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:
- The skip-hop video of this skill, with ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Lee’s three-stage way to teach it
- Spot the fault, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and a link to the Black Award
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
Mexican hat: 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
This skill isn't in the scheme of work lessons yet. It's a great one for skipping clubs and playtimes.
What you need
A longer rope gives two skippers room. 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 Mexican hat hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Stepping round a partner with the rope.
- TaskWalk it through slowly without turning the rope.
- CommunicationThe bouncer watches the skipper to know when to jump, as the skip-hop tip says.
- PeopleA familiar partner.
Seated or no-jump version. The seated pupil is the bouncer, ducking or leaning as the rope passes over, while the skipper moves round them.
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.