I was dumb enough to agree to teach a session on knots for new cub scout leaders. Of course, I do know how to tie all of the basic required scout knots, but thought some of you might have some words of wisdom to share on the topic.

For those of you who have taught scouts, what size/type of rope do you like best for teaching, for example?

Any games, drills, tips or tricks you would like to share?

As a non-scout relative knot newbie...

Please consider giving examples of when to use a particular knot. Last time this came up on here, I was told to "practice". Yeah. Well. As a knot beginer, I can tell you that doesn't really work. There's more to the sucessful application of a knot than knowing how to tie it. Plus, I think it's easier to remember a knot if you have a reason to use it. If you are teaching knots you can't give uses for, that oughta tell you something. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When I was in scouts, I always found it was easier to tie knots in larger rope than thinner rope. I'd suggest something in the 3/8" range.

If you can get two different colors of rope/line for each scout and yourself, it will help visualize the construction of each knot, bend, etc.

If you have the knots, bends, etc. already made up (knot board), as well in different stages of development in larger diameter rope/line, it helps to visualize the progression.

Lots of patients <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pete

In case this isn't already in your plan, it would be helpful for future practice if you provided printed handouts illustrating each of the knots. Lots of sites with easy-to-follow color photos and diagrams.

If you're sensitive about copyrights, many appear to allow reproduction for educational and non-commercial purposes.

How about a group buy for them on these scout knot cards..

for what it's worth...the only knots you need to know on the national firefighter certification test are:

Figure 8
Figure 8 on a Bight
Figure 8 follow-through
Bowline
Becket (or Sheet) Bend
Half-Hitch
Clove Hitch

I use all of these but the Bowline all the time. Just last night, we did an auto extrication - car on its side - and we used rope to secure the vehicle -
2 huge metal stakes into the ground, either side of the vehicle, first clove hitch and 2 half hitches to the one stake, rope up, over, around the frame, back through two 8's on a bight, which acted as a ratchet, and then to the other stake, clove & 2 half hitches there. Rope was so tight you could walk on it. Car was STABLE.

I've found that, with few exceptions, if you can't do it with a variation on the figure 8, maybe you shoudn't be doing it.

Thanks to all. Good suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

Groo,

You are so right. Knowing which knot to tie is as important as knowing how to tie it.

With my Cub Scouts, we went through how to tie knots. It wasn't until when I put them outside with rope and tarps and let them start building shelters and stuff that they really got into learning knots.

A former Cubmaster here (and current Trainer) --

One of our cub camp directors had great success teaching knots by first teaching the names of the part of the line -- running end, standing part; and teaching the basic parts of a knot and used memonics i.e- a bight (looks like a mouth that bites...:D), overhand, and underhand loops.

Using the line names and building blocks really helped with the reef (square) knot --
Most people teach it as "left over right, right over left," but most people's muscle memory causes them to tie both halves the same way.
Our camp director used:
- start like you are tying your shoes,
- now take the rope in your left (or right) hand and make a bight against the standing part (point and demonstrate).
- next tuck the end in your right (or left) hand under the bight.
- pull tight and you have a reef or square knot.

He had them tying the knot behind their back in about 10 minutes... definite confidence builder for the boys.

Gordian knots?

I just use Alexander's approach with my SAK.

Ron,

I taught my 4 sons how to tie the Cub Scout and Boy Scout required knots and other knots. I was a CS den leader and taught my den the CS knots. The Boy Scout store sells 1/8” white braided nylon cord that is perfect. It feels good in your hands and is easy to tie knots with. The worst is thick, stiff, scratchy rope. I worked on all the knots until I could do them easily myself. Any that require a loop I turned into a right hand/clockwise loop.

As an example let me tell you how I describe how to tie a bowline knot: let the rope hang down, take your fingers and turn the rope and make a loop my doing a clockwise turn, then take the end of the rope and pretend it is a rabbit, the loop is its hole, and the part about the loop is a tree. Then the rabbit come out of the hole, around the back of the tree, and back down the hole. Pull the rope tight and you have the knot. For the square not I tell them to just switch directions for the second loop. If the ends are on the same side it is a square knot. If they are on opposite sides it is a thief’s knot. If it is a mess it’s a granny knot. My oldest son cheated by tying it like a sheet bend and putting the end through the loop instead of across the loop.

Why don’t you list the knots you are teaching and we can give you ideas on how to make them easy to learn for young boys. The bowline - rabbit, hole, and tree trick must be as old-as-the-hills. My sons would almost be/were in tears when they tried to do a knot and it would come out wrong, especially if their brothers could do it.

Happy scouting! You are doing a great service for America by helping to build great men.

Thank you!