I present the long jump rope as the ultimate group challenge. Two rope turners must work in sync, turning the rope together with a rhythm that can be adjusted for the jumper. For more experienced or athletic jumpers, the rope can be turned quickly, while those with less experience may need to slow the rope while still maintaining a smooth, steady turn so the jumper can find their timing. Ultimately, a jumper’s success depends on the coordination and rhythm of the partners turning the rope.
Between introducing basic long jump rope skills and games and progressing to highly advanced Double Dutch challenges, many long jump rope activities further highlight this incredible teamwork experience. RELOJ and LONG ROPE SPRINTING are two of our favorite long jump rope activities.
RELOJ
Reloj is a long jump rope game from Perú. In English, reloj means clock or wristwatch. Reloj is based on the twelve numbers on a clock.
Watch the video and see the written instructions below the video.
Competitive Version
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Create groups of 6–8 students.
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Two students turn the rope while the rest of the group lines up to take turns jumping.
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The first jumper enters the turning rope and says, “One o’clock.” After jumping the rope one time, the jumper exits.
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The second jumper immediately enters, saying, “two o’clock,” jumps two times, and then exits.
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This pattern continues all the way to twelve o’clock.
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If a jumper misses the rope, that student is out, and the next jumper enters and continues with the same number the previous jumper was unable to complete.
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If multiple jumpers remain after reaching twelve o’clock, the game returns to one o’clock and continues until only one jumper remains.
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Change rope turners after each round so everyone has a chance to turn.
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Cooperative Version
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The setup is the same as the competitive version.
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The goal is for the group to successfully progress from one o’clock to twelve o’clock.
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If a jumper misses the rope, that student switches places with one of the rope turners.
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The next time a jumper misses, that student replaces the other turner.
LONG ROPE SPRINTING
Long Rope Sprinting takes a little more coordination from the jumper and the turners since they are moving across the gym floor.
- Begin with groups of three, two truners and one jumper.
- From one side of the gym, the students attempt to move across the floor, two turning the rope and one jumping over the rope.
- Switch jumpers each time you go across the floor.
You can also:
- Add multiple jumpers
- Have 2-3 groups race each other across the floor
RELOJ and long rope sprinting are two of my favorite long jump rope activities. The students enjoy the challenge, and I appreciate the fitness, coordination, and fun they provide.
