How it works
Start with a normal skip. On the next turn of the rope, twist the feet to the left; on the next, right round to the right; and keep going, left and right.
skip-hop tipSmall turns only. The shoulders stay still: just the hips, legs and feet twist.
Teach the twister 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 a feet close-up and ½× and ¼× slow motion
- Step-by-step teaching: twist from the hips, not the shoulders
- Spot the fault, with the fix
- A pupil self-check and a link to the Bronze Award
£149 a year for the whole school, or 6 months free with the whole-school rope set.
Where it fits
Twister: Purple Award and Bronze Award
Purple Award: Routine
A related skill for the Purple Award: one to include in lessons.
To pass, a pupil:
- Links any 6 tricks into a routine, 8 skips each, without stopping
- Turns a long rope steadily for others
- Keeps the pot boiling in Figure of Eight in a group of 6 to 8, completing 2 full figures of 8 (4 jumps)
Bronze Award
One of the ten Bronze Award skills.
The skills on this award:
- First: the Safety and Poise checks and the preliminary skips
- Bell
- Slalom
- Twister
- Side straddle
- Front straddle (scissors)
- Combined straddle
- Ex
- Wounded duck
- Side swing
- 180 degree turn
- Then the link: any 8 of the 10 skills linked in one routine, without a miss or error.
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
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 twister hard. Change one thing at a time.
What usually makes it hard: Twisting the hips while the shoulders stay still.
- TaskHands on hips, twist to a beat without the rope first.
- TaskSmall turns only.
- CommunicationSay “left, right, middle”.
Seated or no-jump version. Twist the upper body gently side to side while turning the rope at the side.
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.