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Try Jogo do Pau

First suggested by Moot 2025 United Kingdom Contingent
Tap, step and move as you practise this traditional Portuguese martial art!

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You’ll need

  • 1m sticks or small poles, such as small pioneering poles
  • Paracord or rope

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There’s also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.  
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.  

The World Scout Moot is a global event for Scouts and Guides aged 18 to 25. It's held every four years in different countries, bringing young people together to make new friends, discover new cultures and enjoy exciting adventures. 

The next Moot will be held in Portugal in 2025. The event has three parts: a semi-independent expedition, a large camp with Scouts from around the world and a special experience after the main event. Portugal’s a beautiful country in Southern Europe, known for its fascinating history, stunning beaches and warm weather. This year’s participants will have the chance to explore Lisbon’s historic streets, relax by the sea and take part in outdoor activities, such as hiking and surfing. Learn more about the 16th World Scout Moot.

  

Planning and setting up this activity 

  • Check out the video at the bottom of this page from the Scouts of Group 206 in Seixal, Portugal, to get familiar with the rhythm and sequence.   

 Running this activity 

  1. Gather everyone together and tell them they’re going to try Jogo do Pau (pronounced: ‘Jo-go de Pow’). Jogo do Pau is a fun and exciting martial art from Portugal. It’s also known as the ‘Stick’s Game’’, and it helps with balance, coordination and rhythm.
  2. Give everyone a stick. It should be about a metre long (or about the same length as their arm).
  3. Wrap some tape or tie a whipping knot in the middle of each stick to mark the centre.
  4. Everyone should get into pairs and stand facing each other, about a metre apart. Make sure there’s enough space between pairs or within the group to reduce the chance of the sticks flying when everyone starts speeding up.
  5. Next hold the stick out in front of them at arm’s length, with hands shoulder-width apart. It should be held tightly, but comfortably.
  6. Now, everyone is going to tap the rhythm. The taps should be light, but clear, to make the beat. It should feel like a dance. The rhythm is:
    • Tap the sticks together three times (tap, tap, tap)
    • Tap on the left side of your partner’s stick.
    • Tap on the right side.
    • Tap in the middle.
  1. After the third tap, switch places. If you feel confident, you could turn in a circle and keep the rhythm going while moving.
  2. Once everyone is confident, try going faster or try changing direction when you switch places. With practice, you’ll get better at matching your partner’s rhythm and improving your balance and timing.  

This video is provided by an external platform. Scouts are not responsible for the content or any advertisements that may appear alongside it. 

To watch in full screen, double click the video

Reflection

This activity was all about learning a traditional Portuguese martial art called Jogo do Pau. What did you think about this activity? You worked with a partner to tap sticks in a synchronised pattern, switching positions while maintaining a steady rhythm. What was it like trying to follow the beat and tap the sticks? What did you find easy? What was more challenging? What happened the more you did it? If you were to do it again, what do you think you’d do differently?  

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Contact games and activities

Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.

Poles and long objects

Be careful when moving poles or long items. Take care if the ends are sharp. Have appropriate supervision for this activity.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

  • To make this activity easier, you could slow down the rhythm to give everyone more time or start by practicing tapping with just one side of the stick instead of both sides. You could also use shorter sticks or lighter objects to make them easier to control.  
  • To make this activity harder, you could increase the speed of the taps. You could also introduce more complex movements, such as changing direction mid-move or adding extra taps. 
  • Make sure to have accessible equipment or methods available, such as lighter poles (such as inflatable sticks) that are easier to move or thicker poles that are easier to grip. 
  • Make sure anyone with hearing loss can clearly see the speaker for the tap calls, as this helps with lip reading and understanding body language. You could also use signals, such as claps, to show the beat. In noisy activities, someone with a hearing aid might feel more comfortable turning it off but make sure it’s turned back on afterward. 
  • You can do this activity sitting or standing, depending on what works best. 
  • Make sure there’s a way to include everyone in this game or activity. If anyone doesn’t feel comfortable taking part in the activity, let them take on another role instead, such as the caller.  
  • If anyone’s sensitive to loud noises, try to remind everyone to be tap the sticks quietly. People could wear ear defenders, you can shut doors and windows to reduce external noise, or you can have a quiet zone for people to go to if needed. You could also run the activity outside or over a larger space to reduce the noise. 

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

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If you enjoyed this activity, try some more of our Moot 2025 activities.