Labbing
Rope time set aside to practise technique, usually working on a planned tie, as opposed to a play scene.
Labbing is community slang for practice-focused rope. Anatomie Studio in London defines it as tying in order to practise technique, usually with a particular tie planned beforehand, and sets it against playing, which is tying for fun. Shibari Study draws the same line in its glossary, describing a scene as play that uses skills the partners are already confident with, distinct from labbing time.