First offered in 2009, the 8th annual Punk Rope Games will take place on Saturday, October 1 from 11am to 2pm at Murphy’s Brother’s Playground in Manhattan (NYC). Everybody is welcome to either compete (we have room for 16 teams of 3) or be a spectator. There’s a $20 suggested donation for competitors, but no cost for spectators.

Each year, Shana and I review the events from past Games and evaluate what worked and what didn’t. We try to keep a number of “classic” events, but also like to introduce new challenges. This year we’re excited to be adding 5 new events along with a significant modification of the long rope event. Click here for a video showcasing all 10 events.

Without further ado, here are the 10 events for Punk Rope Games VIII:

1. Costume Contest | 30 seconds | Team event
Teams get all gussied up to impress the judges. Last year, Salvador’s Dollys—consisting of Dolly Parton, Salvador Dolly, the Dolly Lama, and Dolly the Sheep—wowed the judges with their creativity, style, and sense of humor.

2. Backwards Cross | 60 seconds | Individual event
The successful backwards cross involves crossing and uncrossing while spinning the rope over your head toward your heels.

3. Rotational Jumps | 60 seconds | Individual event
The jumper rotates in a circle while jumping through the rope (one turn, one jump). After completing one full rotation (360º), the jumper then rotates in the opposite direction. Each clean, full rotation (no misses) counts as one point.

4. Dreidel Spinning | Timed individual event
Competitors get 2 attempts to spin a “house” dreidel while a referee times how long the dreidel remains upright. Time is called when any portion of the dreidel, other than the bottom post, hits the ground.

5. Me First You First | 60 seconds | Pairs event
Partners alternate turning a single jump rope under their teammate’s feet.

6. Twins Jump | 60 seconds | Pairs event
Partners hold one handle of the same jump rope and simultaneously turn the rope so it goes under their feet at the same time.

7. Back-to-Back Spikeball Squat | 60 seconds | Pairs event
Partners stand back-to-back with a Spikeball placed between them. They descend into a squat (thighs must be parallel to the ground) before returning to full extension without the ball dropping.

8. Long Rope | 60 seconds | Team event
Using a 14 foot Punk Rope jump rope, teammates alternate turning and jumping in a set sequence. Jumpers start outside the rope and earn 1 point for entering and exiting the rope without a miss.

9. Spikeball Pickup | Timed team event
With eyes closed, the team captain empties a mesh bag of 11 Spikeballs onto the playing surface. Players retrieve the balls, placing on them atop cones that have been distributed throughout the area.

10. Rubber Chicken Relay | 2 minutes | Team event
Players take turns tossing an 8” rubber chicken into a laundry basket 12 feet away. After each toss, players retrieve the chicken and shuttle it back to their teammate who is next in line.