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SCOUTS HAVE FUN PUTTING THEIR SKILLS INTO ACTION BY PLAYING SHEET BEND TUG OF WAR
The sheet bend is a quick and effective way to join together two lines. Whether the lines are of equal or different diameters, tied correctly, the sheet bend will not fail or collapse. Required for Second Class, the sheet bend should be in every Scout’s outdoor skills toolbox.
Whereas the square knot serves to bind the lines down onto an object, the sheet bend serves to “bend” two lines together, and, unlike the square knot, even when pulled very tight, it’s easy to undo. To learn how to tie a sheet bend, refer to the Scouts BSA Handbook. View How to Tie a Sheet Bend video: https://youtu.be/Hfhyl6jLnNk?si=YHnnhd7XH08cS-pl
—> After any Scout skill is learned, there should be an opportunity to put it into action in a fun way that illustrates how it’s used. Here’s a friendly competition your troop will really enjoy:
SHEET BEND TUG OF WAR
For every two teams, you’ll need one 4-foot and two 10-foot x 1/4-inch braided nylon cords, and a 40-foot playing area with a marked center line. The object of this game is to pull the 4-foot rope away from the other other team. The contest can be played between patrol teams or between chosen troop teams.
In the center of the playing area is the 4-foot cord. The two teams assemble facing each other on either side, twenty feet away from the center line. On signal, each team quickly sends up one Scout along with a 10-foot cord.
They must join their cord to the 4-foot cord with a sheet bend. Once they do, they can pull the cord away from the other Scout, or if they both have the knot tied at the same time, they can attempt to do so as in an ordinary tug of war, the winner pulling the other four feet.
If a Scout completes the knot first and hence can easily pull the rope away, they score three points for their team. If the knot was tied incorrectly, the other team scores two points. If both Scouts complete the knot at the same time, and both are tied correctly, the Scout that can pull the 4-foot rope for four feet towards their patrol scores one point for their team. If one of the knots is incorrectly tied, the other team scores two points whether or not the rope is pulled to their side.
View the video for this activity: https://youtu.be/2A2OAalcWyY?si=8VqXodyYhdFRMqSa
For a library of ideas on how to make more fun happen during meetings and outings, visit the activities section of the Troop Leader Resource Hub: https://troopleader.scouting.org/activities/