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Chapter 4 · Sports Day and Team Challenges

No.109

Little Waves, Big Waves: Rope Jumping

Japanese name: 大波小波

Materials

How to play

  1. Two adults hold a long rope; a jumper stands at its middle. Waiting players stay beyond its reach.
  2. Begin with small side-to-side waves along the floor. The jumper makes a two-footed jump when the rope reaches their feet.
  3. Use a short call to keep holder and jumper rhythms together. Make waves slightly larger only when comfortable.
  4. Stop and explain before changing to a turning rope. Turn once and jump once; a comfortable landing is success.
  5. Stop immediately if the rope catches and change jumpers. Finish after several attempts each and put the rope away.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children: only side-to-side waves. Older primary school children: progress to steady turning.

Sources and references