Lightning Lions Jump Rope Team
The Lightning Lions is a performance jump rope team offering a safe, fun, and positive team opportunity for students interested in the sport of jump rope. The team is open to LRES students in grades 6, 5, and 4 and meets regularly before school to exercise, practice jump rope skills, and prepare for performances. This PTA-sponsored club has been part of our school community since 1975.
Who can join? Lightning Lions is for students in 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade. The team is typically comprised of 40 students in order to maintain safe proximity within the LRES gym. If there are more than 40 students that wish to participate, placement is in accordance with the Lightning Lions operating plan following three waves until the program reaches max capacity: *
- Wave 1: Returning jumpers (Grades 5-6) who demonstrated adherence to their student contract and students of Caregivers who commit to volunteer at least 2 mornings per week.
- Wave 2: Students in Grade 6, and then Grade 5, who registered in the past year, but did not get placed due to capacity constraints.
- Wave 3: New jumpers by descending Grade order (6, 5, 4).
*Total open slots vary from year to year. Approximately 15 spots are forecast open in 2024-25.
*If registrations across Wave 2 or 3 exceed the number of remaining spots available, placement will be by random drawing among each grade level in the wave (beginning with 6th) until filled.
What does the team do? Jumpers build self-esteem, discipline, and cardiovascular health while improving their jumping skills individually and as a team. They practice learning team cooperation and sportsmanship. Throughout the school year, Lightning Lions perform in front of local audiences to demonstrate their jump rope competency and delight friends, families and the community.
When and where are practices? The team practices three mornings per week from 7:50-8:45 a.m. in the LRES Gym, from October to May.
What is the commitment?
- Consistent attendance at practices, held 3 mornings per week, from 7:50–8:45 am, October through May.
- Adherence to the Student/Jumper's Team Contract.
- Dedication to team performances, generally 4-6 evening and/or weekend events between January-April.
What is the program fee? Approximately, $150 to cover the program fee and student-athlete insurance. The LRES PTA will offer sponsorships for families in need.
How do I sign up my interested jumper? Click here to register for the open spots between September 5-13.
Email questions to lrlightninglions@gmail.com.
To view the Lightning Lions flipgrid, which contains videos of LL rules, how to size your rope, warm-ups, and more, please click the button below. Students must be logged into their FCPS accounts to view the videos and record responses.
Lightning Lions is building a coaching pipeline! (Volunteer signups are currently closed.)
The Lightning Lions team is a PTA sponsored activity and is coached by parent volunteers who help two mornings per week. These volunteers receive priority registration for their student(s). If you are potentially interested in this role, please indicate your interest in the sign-up form on PT Board by June 30th. Following that date, you will be contacted for a conversation about the role. Signup is now closed.
Please Note: In some years, there may be a low number of spots for new jumpers and a high number of students interested. If your student is extremely interested in participating, you may wish to consider seeking a role as a 2-day/week volunteer.
Jump Club: In 2023-2024, a once-per-week Jump Club for students not on the team offered a jump rope experience to any interested 4th-6th grade student. Sessions held from 8:00-8:45 a.m. for six or eight weeks allowed students to focus on the basics of jump rope, learning and improving their skills while jumping with friends. The running of Jump Club again is dependent on securing additional, new volunteers for the 2024-2025 school year. No previous jump rope knowledge is necessary. If you are potentially interested in this role, please indicate your interest in the sign-up form on PT Board by June 30, 2024. Signup is now closed.
Past Lightning Lions performances
LL performance at Thomas Jefferson High School's boy's basketball game halftime, 2020
LL performance at Mason women's basketball game halftime, January 2020
Calling all 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders!!
The Laurel Ridge PTA is excited to offer a unique, fun, and heart-pounding program this winter - Jump Club! In Jump Club you will learn to jump rope, improve skills, and get an excellent workout. Jump Club is open to LRES students in grades 4-6 and will meet for 8 consecutive Wednesday mornings before school (2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26) from 8-8:50 a.m.
Experienced parent volunteers facilitate the practices and current Lightning Lions team members assist with teaching tips and advanced tricks.
The cost is $25 for a new jump rope and program supplies; there is an addition fee for student-athlete insurance of approximately $20. Registration starts on Friday, January 10 and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Jump club will be limited to 30 jumpers.
CLICK HERE on Friday, January 10 at 8:00 a.m. to sign up!
Email lrlightninglions@gmail.com with any questions.
Thunder Cubs jump rope club is for 3rd graders who want to learn jump rope skills and participate in a fun, weekly exercise program. Thunder Cubs will run from April 25th - June 6th on consecutive Friday mornings from 8:00-9:00am in the LRES gym. Practices are led by current Lightning Lion team student-coaches and parents!
The cost to participate is $30. This covers a jump rope, team supplies, and t-shirt. In addition, all jumpers are required to purchase supplemental insurance at a cost of $20 before they can participate. NO PAYMENT WILL BE TAKEN UPON REGISTERING. PAYMENT WILL BE TAKEN ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE. Note, Thunder Cubs has a capacity of 30 jumpers. If necessary, there will be a random drawing to determine participants.
If your 3rd grader is interested, fill out and complete registration between Wednesday April, 2nd and Wednesday, April 9th. Further information and details will be sent to participants with their registration materials the week of April 14th. Questions? Please email Christina and Erica at: Irlightninglions@gmail.com.
Come and be part of the LRES jump rope tradition!