Stork Stand Rope Duel

A partner combative game: each student stands on one leg like a stork, holds one end of a jump rope, and pulls or gives slack to make the partner put the raised foot down. Students build balance and strength, control their pulling, and practice self-control.

How to play

1. Lay mats in a row with one pair of similar size on each and a folded jump rope leaving about 5 ft between them; an odd student is judge (2 min).
2. Position: stand on one leg, raise the other knee, and hold the rope with both hands in front, never wrapped.
3. On the whistle, each player tries to make the other put the foot down by pulling gently or suddenly giving slack. A player loses by putting the foot down, letting go, or stepping off the mat.
4. Each bout lasts up to 20 seconds; if no one loses balance, it is a tie. Play best of five, switching legs each bout.
5. After the duel, the winner moves up one mat and the other moves down one.
6. Play about 8 duels; in the last two, keep eyes closed for the first 5 seconds.

Rules

• Never wrap the rope around your hand, wrist, or neck.
• Letting go on purpose to make your partner fall loses the duel.
• Pull with control: no throwing your whole body backward.
• If you lose balance, put the foot down instead of hopping off the mat.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: sit on a stool facing a seated partner; lifting off the seat loses.
• Frustration: start with cooperative duels where the pair tries to stay balanced together for 20 seconds.
• Balance: a student who struggles may rest the toes of the raised foot on the floor.

Learning goals

• Keep balance on one foot as rope tension changes.
• Control force and fool the opponent by giving slack at the right time.
• Manage emotions when winning and losing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• jump ropes: 12
• mats: 12

Teacher tip

Check that no one wraps the rope and that there is a mat behind each student, since that is where they fall. The trick is not pulling hard but giving slack at just the right moment.

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