The Skier Jumps the Rope

Children are skiers zooming down the mountain by jumping from one side of a rope laid on the ground to the other. They practice sideways jumping, left-right awareness, and rhythm.

How to play

1. Pretend to be skiers: bent knees, arms holding imaginary poles (1 min).
2. Each child stands by their own rope and jumps from side to side in place (3 min).
3. Travel along the rope in a zigzag, jumping to one side and then the other (4 min).
4. The teacher calls "Soft snow!" (gentle jumps) or "Fast run!" (quick jumps) (3 min).
5. Reach the bottom of the slope and sit down to rest in the ski lodge (1 min).

Rules

• I jump sideways with feet together.
• I watch my own rope, not my friend's.
• Knees stay bent, like a skier.
• If I get tired, I rest at the lodge and come back.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: zigzag in a wheelchair or walking, crossing the rope back and forth.
• Hearing impairment: pair "Soft snow" and "Fast run" with gestures (gentle hand, fast hand).
• Less skill: instead of a rope, two chalk lines spaced apart to jump between with more room.

Learning goals

• Jump sideways with feet together.
• Link sideways jumps together.
• Tell apart the right and left sides of the rope.

Equipment for a class of 25

• jump ropes: 12

Teacher tip

Lay the ropes parallel and well apart so each skier has their own run. Typical mistake: jumping forward instead of sideways—stand next to them and jump along.

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