Jumping rope in small groups using a long rope is an ideal way to add excitement and variety to a physical education class. Incorporating long jump ropes into a PE lesson plan is a fun and valuable way to teach a variety of turning and jumping skills. They also can help promote physical literacy, hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. The cool thing is long jump ropes also offer a great way to increase communication skills, problem-solving and teamwork. Whether you have a large or small class, there are several games and activities that can be tailored to your students' needs.
Pics by Nikki @BeamTeamPE
The aim of this blog post is to advocate for the use of long jump ropes in physical education, explore how to integrate them into a standard PE curriculum, and offer several movements, skills, and tricks that can be taught in class. I will also provide comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on how to perform each jump rope game and/or maneuver. These are perfect for all age groups and can help students stay engaged in their physical education classes throughout the year. All you need for this activity is a long jump rope, 15 to 18 ft. long, to accommodate small or medium sized groups; they can be performed inside or outside to make a great jump rope workout. Let's get this party started!
What are the benefits of using long jump ropes in PE?
Adding jumping and turning skills, using a long rope, in a physical education curriculum has many benefits. Below are 4 reasons why this kind of activity should be included in a standard PE curriculum:
1. Long jump ropes are affordable and easy to use. Long jump ropes are an inexpensive item that can easily be stored away when not being used, so they don't take up much space in the gym or classroom. Jump rope exercise in a PE class is easy to implement and doesn't have to take up an entire class period.
2. Long jump ropes are great for team building: Long jump ropes encourage communication, problem-solving and teamwork. To be successful in this activity, all group members must work together to coordinate their jumps and turns, leading to greater collaboration between peers. Incorporating jump rope rhymes is also a fun way to be creative with a group!
3. Long jump ropes help promote physical literacy: Long jump rope activities help to develop fundamental motor skills by teaching students how to coordinate their body movements in order to jump and turn with a rope. These activities also help increase upper body mobility, hand-eye coordination, balance, agility and gross motor skills.
4. Long jump ropes can be used for different age groups: Long jump ropes are great for all age groups, from elementary school to high school, as they can be adapted to accommodate all levels of physical ability. They are perfect for beginner jump rope workouts with younger students but can also be utilized for advanced skill-development with older, developmentally mature participants.
How can long jump ropes be used in a PE lesson?
Long jump ropes are usually made of nylon or polypropylene and are available in various sizes. Beaded jump ropes are a great alterative because the extra weight helps the rope turners with their arm movements. Longer ropes are typically used for larger groups of children while shorter ones can be used for smaller groups. Before conducting jump rope training and skill-development with a class, it is important to explain the importance of teamwork and collaboration when using the ropes. Long jump ropes require two or more people to operate, making this activity the perfect opportunity for students to practice working together and helping each other out.
Long jump ropes can be used in a variety of ways to teach jump rope tricks, skills, and movements to small or medium sized groups of students. Students can collaborate with each other in trios or small groups while working at stations, or they can participate in a teacher-led lesson as part of the full class. Long jump ropes can also be used in team building activities, where teams must work together to complete jump rope exercises. While students work together with others, they can actively learn a variety of skills such as coordination, timing, footwork and agility. Long jump ropes can also be used to teach different jump roping tricks, such as run throughs, pendulum swings and even double dutch.
This blog article outlines several long jump rope skills, games and activities you can use with small groups, but don't forget that long ropes have many other purposes! In addition to the blogged about uses, they can also be used for warm-ups, fitness units and assessment during your physical education class. They're great for relay races too making them a fun choice for field day events and full-team obstacle courses!
Does working on long jump rope skills help address PE standards?
Not only is learning jump rope skills using a long jump rope a fun way to get students active, but it also helps them work with others and develop a teamwork mindset. This in turn helps them address SHAPE America's Standard 4 which states: The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.* The long jump rope skills, movements and tricks you choose to incorporate during lessons can easily meet any national, state, or district physical education standards.
Pic by Nikki @BeamTeamPE
25 Ways to Teach Long Jumping Rope Skills in Physical Education Class
If you're looking to get your students pumped and engaged, try out the following fun and challenging movements!
Your students can complete the following jump rope games and activities in trios or small groups at various stations around your classroom, or all together with teacher-led instructions. Two students will hold and turn the end of the ropes while the others take turns jumping.
1- Jumping Over the Rope (Level 1)
Long Jump Down the Rope– Stand at end of the rope. Take turns jumping as far a possible down the rope. Measure your distance on the rope. See how many jumps it takes to get to the end of the rope.
Straight Jump Rope- Take turns holding a stationary rope and then jumping over the rope. Try holding the rope at different height levels.
Slanted Rope Jump- Take turns holding a slanted rope with one end high and one end low. Jump over different heights on the rope.
Snake Jump- Take turns zig-zagging and jumping over the rope. Move the rope from side to side and keep it low to the ground.
Ocean Wave- Take turns shaking and jumping over the rope. Move the rope up and down and keep it low to the ground.
2- Moving Under the Rope (Level 2)
Crawl Under- Take turns holding a stationary rope and crawling underneath the rope. Try holding the rope at different height levels.
Roll Under- Take turns holding a stationary rope and jumping over the rope. Try lifting the rope at different height levels.
Limbo- Take turns holding a stationary rope and doing the limbo underneath it. Try holding the rope at different height levels.
Run Throughs- Take turns swinging the rope and running through from one side to the other. Say 1, 2, 3 and follow behind the rope as you run through.
3- Lead-Up Jumps (Level 3)
Jump the Shot- Take turns turning a rope around with a deck ring attached on the end and jumping over it. Swing the rope in a circle pattern.
Pendulum Swing Jump (1 Jump)- Take turns doing half-pendulum swings and jumping over the rope. Swing the rope gently from side-to-side. Jumpers run in, jump once and then exit.
Pendulum Swing Jump (3 Jumps)- Take turns doing half-pendulum swings and jumping over the rope. Swing the rope gently from side-to-side. Jumpers run in, jump 3 times and then exit.
Figure 8 Run- Take turns swinging the rope and running through and around your turners in a figure 8 pattern. Use a front door entrance each time you run through.
4- Turning and Jumping Rope- Basic (Level 4)
Standing Start Jump- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope from a standing position. Start your jump from the middle of the rope.
Front Door (1 Jump and Out)- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope. Turners swing the rope towards the jumpers and jumpers enter by following the rope in. Jump 1 time and exit.
Front Door (3 Jumps and Out)- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope. Turners swing the rope towards the jumpers and jumpers enter by following the rope in. Jump 3 times and exit.
Partner Jump- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping with a partner at the same time. Start your jumps from the middle of the rope
5- Turning and Jumping Rope- Intermediate (Level 5)
Jump and Spin- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope. Start from either a standing position or a front door start. Turn a quarter or half turn each time you jump.
Figure 8 Jump- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping one time, then running around your turners in a figure 8 pattern. Use a front door entrance each time you run through.
Back Door (1 Jump and Out)- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping. Turners swing the rope towards the jumpers and jumpers enter in and jump when the rope hits the floor. Jump 1 time and exit.
Jump Until You Drop- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope from a standing position or by running in. Keep jumping until you miss the jump.
6- Turning and Jumping Rope- Advanced (Level 6)
Back Door (3 Jumps and Out)- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping. Turners swing the rope towards the jumpers and jumpers enter in and jump when the rope hits the floor. Jump 3 times and exit.
Peppers- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping. Turners should gradually increase the speed in which they swing the rope and the jumper should try to keep up with the faster pace.
Double Dutch- Take turns swinging the ropes and jumping. Turners swing 2 ropes alternately towards the midlines of their bodies using small circles. Jumpers jump over each rope.
Partner Jump Until You Drop- Take turns swinging the rope and jumping rope, side-by-side with a partner. Keep jumping until you or your partner misses the jump.
Final thoughts
Long jump ropes are an excellent tool to use in physical education classes. They provide a fun and exciting way for kids to learn how to jump and swing, using a variety of situations. Not only does using long ropes help with a child's coordination, agility, speed and endurance, but it also gets them up and active, interacting with other students! By introducing different skills and movement experiences with long jump ropes into your physical education classes, you can make sure that all of your students are having a good time and learning important skills at the same time. With the highlighted 25 activities and games to choose from, you can be sure to have a fun and successful teaching experience with long jump ropes. Get your students excited about jump rope by being creative and coming up with your own unique skills and challenges for class.
I hope you found this article on long jump rope ideas useful and that it has inspired you to try them out in your own learning space! Please let me know which ones are your favorites in the comments section below.
*SHAPE America. (2013). National Standards for K-12 Physical Education. Reston, VA: Author.
Need resources?
Do you need some PE Equipment-Based Challenge Cards that can easily help you teach activities like the ones discussed in the equipment-based article above? Would it help to have easy-to-implement visuals that include detailed instructions and state-of-the-art graphics? Cap'n Pete's Power PE has you covered!
Fill in the form below to download 28 FREE fun and active PE Equipment Challenge Cards with a variety of manipulative and movement-based skills to use in your physical education classes.
The set is a PDF digital download that includes four visuals (cards) from each the following equipment-based, skill, and movement challenge card sets: 1. Balloon Challenges, 2. Beanbag Challenges, 3. Pool Noodle Challenges, 4. Hula Hoop Challenges, 5. Playground Ball Challenges, 6. Jump Rope Challenges, and 7. Cup Stacking Challenges.
This freebie set will be sure to enhance your PE curriculum for years!
If you REALLY want to expand your physical education program's arsenal, check out Cap'n Pete's, 20 Set PE Equipment Challenge Card Super Bundle. Over 480, PE equipment-based teaching visuals from 20 unique sets!!
You can download them from either of the following platforms: Cap'n Pete's Power PE Website or Teachers Pay Teachers- Cap'n Pete's TPT Store
This comprehensive visual collection will help you teach your students a plethora of movement and manipulative skills using 20 traditional pieces of physical education equipment that include: most balloons, beanbags, stacking cups, pool noodles, juggling scarves, hula hoops, tumbling mats, long jump ropes, short jump ropes, scooter boards, cones & poly spots, dice, Lummi sticks. long-handled implements, short-handled implements, basketballs, beachballs, footballs, playground balls, and soccer balls.
