Ten-Ten: Nigerian Clap and Stomp Game
A rhythmic partner game very popular among girls in Nigeria: players clap, jump, and push one foot forward on landing. Depending on whether the feet match, one player or the other scores. Students work on rhythm, arm and leg coordination, and anticipation.
How to play
- Pair students up in two facing lines about 1 yard apart. In each pair, one player is 'same' and the other is 'different' (1 min).
- Teach the rhythm with a hand drum: clap your own hands, clap again, jump in place, and on landing each player pushes one foot forward, right or left (2 min).
- If both put the same foot forward (right and right), 'same' gets a point; if the feet are different, 'different' gets a point. They call the score out loud and keep going.
- Play to 10 points. The winner moves one pair to the right, the loser moves one pair to the left, and they switch roles (8 min).
- Speed up the drum beat every two rounds to make it harder.
- To finish, each pair makes up its own clapping rhythm before the jump and teaches it to the pair next to them (4 min).
Rules
- Everyone follows the drum beat; no one moves a foot before landing.
- Place the foot forward gently on the heel, no stomping.
- If there is any doubt, replay the point without arguing.
- Each pair keeps two arm lengths of space from the next pair.
Variations
Easier
No jump: clap and push a foot forward from standing, at a slow tempo.
Standard
Two claps, a jump, and a foot forward, playing to 10 points.
Harder
Add the option of putting no foot forward and do crossed claps with your partner before the jump.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a seated student pushes one hand forward (right or left) instead of a foot.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the beat by raising the drum where everyone can see, and pairs watch each other's hands.
- Coordination: a student who struggles starts with just claps and a foot, no jump, until the rhythm feels easy.
Learning goals
- Coordinate claps, a jump, and foot placement to a rhythm.
- Anticipate a partner's choice to win the point.
- Learn about a traditional Nigerian game passed down through generations.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
At first many students put their foot out late to copy their partner; stress that the choice is made in the air. Start at a slow tempo and speed up only when the group is in sync.
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