Tips for leapfrog: key points when jumping and practice methods. What you need to jump faster.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Speaking of leapfrog, it’s popular both as a warm-up in PE and as an event at school sports days.

All you do is place both hands on the back of the “horse” and hop over, but in fact many people aren’t good at it.

For most, it’s due to the fear of jumping over a person, but some people also struggle because they overthink about their partner—worrying, “Will I feel heavy?” or “Am I putting too much strain on them?” when they jump.

In this article, we’ll cover not only key points and practice methods for jumping, but also how the “horse” should position their body, plus tips for winning leapfrog races.

If you want to get better at leapfrog or learn how to jump without putting a burden on your partner, be sure to check it out.

Practice Methods (1–10)

Increase the number of people little by little

Once you can comfortably jump over one normal-height horse without anxiety, start gradually increasing the number of people.

At first, jumping consecutively will be difficult, so try leaving slightly longer gaps between the horses.

Use those gaps as a run-up, and aim first to clear all the horses at your own tempo.

As you get used to it, shorten the gaps so that you can eventually jump them consecutively.

If you can manage about five in a row, you should be able to handle more as the number of people increases.

Report a problem

For people who still can’t jump even after practicing? (1–10)

Eliminate anxiety through reassurance. Discuss the issues.

No matter how much they practice, some people just can’t seem to make the jump.

I think we all have teammates like that.

At times like this, please make sure everyone offers them words of support.

Fear is often the reason they can’t jump, but there are also many cases where they have the potential yet hold back because they’re worried about burdening the horse.

If you tell them, “It’s okay to go all out,” or “It’s fine even if you hit it,” they’ll feel reassured, right? For those with strong fear, take your time to listen and think together about what might help.

Report a problem

Tips for jumping faster. How to win in a race? (1–10)

keep jumping at a steady rhythm

To win a leapfrog race, the key is to jump quickly.

So how can you jump faster? The most important thing is the rhythm of your jumps.

By jumping with a set rhythm, you eliminate hesitation about when to take off and prevent the line from bunching up.

If you want to win a leapfrog race, first make sure everyone can keep a steady rhythm and jump smoothly all the way to the end.

Once you’ve mastered the rhythm, all that’s left is to speed it up.

Using chants or music makes it easier to practice keeping the rhythm.

Report a problem

Place the knight in a position that’s easy to jump from.

When the spacing between the “horses” is too wide or too narrow, it’s hard to jump.

If the spacing isn’t right, the rhythm you worked hard to learn for fast jumping will fall apart.

To keep everyone moving at a good tempo, make sure to set up your horse while checking the distance from the person in front after you jump during the leapfrog race.

You might feel rushed if time is short, but all you need to do is form your horse and adjust by sliding both feet along the ground—once you get used to it, it’s not that difficult.

Be sure to memorize the spacing that’s easiest to jump during practice.

Report a problem

In conclusion

How was it? Leapfrog looks easy, but it’s actually hard, isn’t it? You need to practice repeatedly, but it’s hard to know how to practice and what to watch out for.

If even one person can overcome leapfrog with the help of this article, I’d be happy.