Long rope skipping games

Two turners, one long rope and the whole class: 11 games from Reception to Year 6.

Long rope games are where most children fall in love with skipping. Nobody has to coordinate their own rope, so a child who can't skip on their own yet can still join in, and one good game keeps a whole group busy. Running into a turning rope is also the backbone of almost every traditional skipping rhyme.

Pupils jump a long rope turned by skip-hop coaches in a school playground

What you need

Rope	Best for
4.5 m rope one of a Double Dutch pair	One to three skippers at a time: Under the Moon, skipping inside the rope, rhymes, and Double Dutch later on
7.5 m rope long skipping rope	Four or more skippers at once: Figure of Eight, Cluster jump, Skydiver and whole-class games

You also need two turners, one at each end, and a clear space with a flat, non-slip floor. A playground, a hall or a sports hall all work.

How to turn a long rope

Set the direction. Turners point their arms at the waiting skippers, then bring them down to start. The rope then travels away from the skippers as it hits the floor, so they run in behind it rather than into it.
Count them in. Each time the rope hits the floor, call "ready", then "in you go", then "now". The skipper runs on "now". Use the same count to bring them out: "ready, out you go, now".
Let the rope touch the floor. A metre or so of rope touching the ground in the middle makes a big, easy target to jump.
Follow the skipper. Children often speed up as soon as the rope comes in. Good turners speed up with them.

skip-hop tip: for a nervous child, run Under the Moon holding a partner's hand. The look on their face when they get through for the first time says it all.

The games

Each game shows its Skipping Award level where it is part of an award. Open a game for the full coaching page.

First long rope games

Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1. Nobody has to turn their own rope, so every child can join in.

Wiggly wormsWhite AwardTwo people hold a long rope low and wiggle it along the floor like a worm. The skippers jump over it without touching it.2 turners, any numberHow to teach it →WavesThe turners move the long rope up and down vertically along the floor to make waves. Skippers jump over the waves without touching the rope.2 turners, any numberHow to teach it →Under the MoonYellow AwardSkippers line up at right angles to the rope. Turned so the skippers run with it, the rope swings away from them and each one runs underneath and out the other side. Perfect for Nursery, Reception and Year 1.2 turners, any numberHow to teach it →Skipping inside a long ropeOrange AwardThe skipper stands in the middle of the long rope while two turners turn it, and jumps every time it comes round.2 turners, 1 skipper at a timeHow to teach it →

Running into the rope

Usually Years 2 to 4. Running in, jumping and running out is the skill behind almost every playground rhyme.

Running into a turning long rope and jumpingGreen AwardRun into a turning long rope, jump once and run out the other side.2 turners, a small groupHow to teach it →Cluster jumpHow many skippers can you get in one rope, in single file, without anyone making a mistake? Double it with two lines side by side.2 turners, as many as fitHow to teach it →Figure of EightPurple AwardKeep a continuous flow of skippers each doing one jump without anyone missing a turn of the rope.2 turners, a teamHow to teach it →

Team challenges

Upper Key Stage 2, clubs and confident skippers.

SkydiverBlack AwardOne skipper goes in, hands held out. The next runs in and holds hands. A turner shouts "break", the pair let go of one hand and the third skipper joins the ring. How many can hold hands in the middle and still jump?2 turners, 3 or moreHow to teach it →Skipper inside a long ropeBlack AwardA skipper turns and skips their own rope while also jumping a long rope turned by two other pupils.2 turners, 1 skipperHow to teach it →Texas StarFour turners turn two long ropes that cross in the middle. Skippers jump where the ropes cross, with both ropes going up and down together.4 turners, 2 ropesHow to teach it →WeaveThree skippers jump in a line inside a long rope. Each new skipper weaves round them, bouncing in and out of the gaps, then runs out and round the turner, making a figure of eight on the floor.2 turners, a teamHow to teach it →

Add a rhyme

Many traditional skipping rhymes were made for the long rope: the turners and the queue chant, and the skipper in the middle does what the rhyme says. Find them in our library of skipping rhymes and songs.

Running long rope games at lunchtime? See active playtimes for a playground plan, and train older pupils as Playground Skipping Leaders to turn the rope.

Next step: Double Dutch

Once a skipper can run into a turning rope and out again, they are ready for two ropes. See how to do Double Dutch, the Double Dutch turning page and the Double Dutch skipping ropes.

Long rope games in PE lessons

For a ready-made lesson, use the long rope skipping lesson plan. The skipping scheme of work has long rope units for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, and the long rope skills count towards the Skipping Awards.

Get a long skipping rope

Our 7.5 m long skipping rope turns fast and holds its shape, but isn't heavy, so it doesn't hurt when it catches a foot. Schools get a lower price with a free skip-hop account. Need more? The playground skipping set includes a long rope and a pair of Double Dutch ropes.

Long rope games questions

What are long rope games?

Skipping games played with one long rope turned by two people, a turner at each end, while the other children run under it, jump it or skip inside it. Many come with a rhyme or chant, and they have been played in school playgrounds for generations.

How long should a long skipping rope be?

A 4.5 m rope is right for one to three skippers at a time and for first games like Under the Moon. For four or more skippers at once, Figure of Eight or a whole-class game, use a 7.5 m long rope.

How many children can play at once?

Let a 7.5 m rope out fully and 20 or more skippers can be in at once in a game like Cluster jump. For most games one queue of six to eight skippers keeps everyone busy, so a class of 30 needs three or four ropes.

What age can children start long rope games?

From nursery. Wiggly worms and Under the Moon need no jumping on the turn of the rope, and skipping inside a long rope is one of the best ways to help a child who is struggling to time their own rope.

Who should turn the rope?

Every game depends on the turners. Start with adults or confident older pupils who can keep a steady, even turn and count the skippers in. Turning is a skill of its own, so let pupils practise it too.