Partner Skipping: Building Confidence, Rhythm & Teamwork

Partner skipping is more than just a fun challenge; it’s a brilliant way to build trust, boost coordination, and encourage children to work together. From early years to confident skippers, skipping with a friend teaches timing, communication, and cooperation. Here’s how to bring partner skipping to life in your school or workshop using tried-and-tested techniques from Skipping Workshops.

The Joy of Partner Skipping

Why Partner Skipping?

Partner skipping brings a social and collaborative twist to traditional rope work. It invites children to move together, support each other, and share in each other’s progress - an ideal mix of physical and social learning.

Benefits include:

• Teamwork and cooperation

• Rhythm and timing development

• Improved communication

• Loads of laughter and bonding!

  
  

Top Partner Skipping Activities

1. Side-by-Side Skipping (aka In-Outs)

This is a brilliant starting point! In this activity:

• Each child holds one rope handle while standing side by side.

• They skip together using a single rope, coordinating their bounce.

  
  

Once they're comfortable, add a challenge. Can they turn to face one another while keeping the rhythm?

📝 Tip: Holding hands while skipping side by side can help steady younger children as they find their rhythm.

2. Face-to-Face Skipping

This fun activity boosts awareness and timing. Here’s how it works:

• Partners face each other, each holding one handle of the rope.

• They work together to turn and jump at the same time.

  
  

Add variations like clapping mid-air, turning around, or touching the floor during jumps.

💡 Exit Game: Try a zig-zag skip out—just make sure they decide who’s jumping left and who’s jumping right!

3. Butterfly Skip

This one’s a crowd-pleaser once kids have the basics down! Follow these steps:

• Each child holds one handle of their own rope and one from their partner.

• The ropes form an “X” between them, turning into a single skipping system.

• They must jump in perfect sync. It’s a challenge—but so rewarding when they get it right!

  
  

🎯 Goal: Try three clean jumps without stopping. Then increase to five, then ten!

Add Some Rhythm with Rhymes

Partner skipping and rhymes go hand-in-hand (sometimes literally!). Try chants like:

• “Back to back, face to face, skip to the middle, pick up the pace!”

• “One, two, me and you; three, four, jump some more!”

  
  

Encourage children to make up their own chants as they gain confidence. This boosts creativity and makes skipping feel like a shared game rather than a task.

Supporting All Learners

It's important to consider different skill levels. Here are some tips:

• Start slow: Double bounce together to find a shared rhythm.

• Demonstrate first: Seeing a peer or adult perform the activity helps build confidence.

• Celebrate effort: Even a few successful jumps together is a win!

  
  

Why Choose Partner Skipping?

Partner skipping emphasizes the importance of connection. It promotes friendships and teaches vital social skills. Children learn to communicate well, which is crucial for team sports and other group activities. Furthermore, the physical activity improves their fitness levels.

Need Ropes for Partner Skipping?

We’ve got a full range of ropes perfect for pair work. Choose from short and medium ropes for close coordination, or longer ropes for more adventurous skipping.

➡️ Browse skipping ropes in our shop.

Final Thoughts

Partner skipping offers so much more than physical activity for the playground. It creates opportunities for children to connect, support one another, and grow in confidence together.

So why not give it a try in your next PE lesson? Or consider contacting us to book your own Skipping Workshop for your school. Embrace the fun and benefits of partner skipping today!