Skipping in Schools: Tips for Safe and Healthy Exercise

All PE Teachers know how important it is to keep their students active and healthy. That’s why skipping is such a great activity to include in PESSPA programmes in primary and secondary schools.

Not only is skipping a fun playground activity, but it also offers a range of health benefits. It can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and bone health, as well as develop agility, balance, coordination, and creativity.

When it comes to skipping in schools, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you have a suitable surface for skipping. The floor should be smooth, flat, dry, and free of any objects that might cause tripping. Surfaces like tarmac or concrete are safer than mats or rubberised surfaces for regular skipping.

It’s also important to ensure that there is enough space for students to skip safely. They should have enough room around them to avoid hitting others with the rope as it turns. If you’re indoors, make sure there’s enough space overhead to avoid bringing down any objects from the ceiling. Before students start to skip, always encourage them to check that the space around and above them is clear.

Teaching good landing technique is also essential to minimise the impact on students’ joints. Encourage them to keep the height of their jump to a minimum, bend their knees, and land on the ball of their foot followed by touching their heels gently on the ground.

While skipping is a great exercise, it’s important to avoid overdoing it. Exposing students to long durations or excessive amounts of jumping can cause unnecessary stress on their bones and joints. It’s best to intersperse jumping activities with non-jumping activities during a skipping session.

Finally, it’s important to remember that skipping may not be appropriate, safe, or comfortable for all students. Care should be taken when working with young people who are obese or very sedentary, or who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to ensure that they are integrated safely and appropriately.

So why not consider adding skipping to your school’s physical education programme with Sportsafe’s fantastic range of skipping ropes? It’s a fun and effective way to keep students active and healthy.