Hall of Fame or Hall or Shame?

            There are many games our parents played in Physical Education class that would never be played today. These games have been put in the Hall of Shame. They include games such as Dodgeball, Duck Duck Goose, Giants, Elves, and Wizards, Kickball, Musical Chairs, Relay Races, Steal the bacon and many others. Although these games are fun and almost everyone knows how to play them, anyone can lead them. You could be a history major and still be able to lead any of these games to a Physical Education class.

            In a game like Dodgeball there are pros and cons. By playing Dodgeball you are practicing your throwing and catching motions, learning to dodge and move quickly, you also have to use some strategy. The problem is that in a gym class everyone is not at the same physical or skill level. There are going to be stronger kids who can throw the ball harder and move quicker. Kids who don’t get any physical activity outside of gym class are going to be easy targets in this game.

            I don’t believe that Dodgeball should be played in Physical Education class because from my experiences it doesn’t work. The more athletic students are going to enjoy the competition of the game but the “nerds” or “geeks” might want to be the first ones out or won’t want to participate at all. I think it is important to modify the game so everyone will be motivated to play.

            In my high school classes we played a similar version of Dodgeball called Medic. The “medic” was a pre-determined player on the team who was able to save people once they got hit. This allowed the team to work together and kept people in the game longer. Another game I played was called Astroids where everyone in the class had a partner to work with. By modifying Dodgeball more students become interested and have a better chance at succeeding.

        A game like Red Rover is a great example of a Hall of Shame game. The object of this game does not meet the National Standards for Physical Education. For starters, there is only one movement pattern practiced in this game. Students must try to run through linked arms. Not every student is going to be strong enough or skilled enough to perform this task. This game really goes against Standard 5. There really is no respect for self or others in this game. Whoever rover sends over is probably going to be the other teams weakest link and is going to get “bullied” when they try to run through the linked arms. I don’t see this game being played in a Physical Education setting without many modifications.