By MARINAPE on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 08:12 pm: Edit

The Dodgeball Debate continues here... What are your conclusions derived from the Articles as featured on the Elementary Page (12th March 2001) on PELINKS4U ?

http://www.pelinks4u.org/archives/elementary/031201.htm

Check the PE Forum regularly or create your own user profile so that you will be automatically notified when additions are made to this topic.

By TAYLOR555 on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 08:13 pm: Edit

I allow my students to play dodge ball for the simple reason that they like it.
On days when I allow student choice of activity the number one game
everyone wants to play is dodge ball. Say what you want about it the game is popular with kids. And having fun is an important part of PE. They enjoy it..I let them play it.

By MARINAPE on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 08:15 pm: Edit

Hi there Taylor
Thanks for your message and I would like to invite you check out the
PELINKS 4U ELementary Page on the 12th March where I have posted a
series of articles on this topic.
Regarding your message per se - what I personally contend is that any
decision I take requires me to ask the question - "Does it have a a place
within my program goals ? And "Is this game Developmentally Appropriate -
and if not how can I alter it ?" -
If I manage to answer these, then I take a decision - and not simply that I use
the activity because students like it. That is not enough for me - Pupils could
also like cookies - and sure they do have a place to play - but they are at the
top of the food pyramid - ie to be used sparingly ;-) I might also like to create
a problem solving situation where the pupils might be encourage to discuss
the pros and cons to dodgeball - perhaps they are not aware of them too and it
might help to develop a more "sensitive to others social orientation".
Regarding pupils having fun - yes that it an important component in any lesson
- if pupils are having a positive experience they are more receptive to learning
(brain based data - endorphin levels are up etc - but that is another topic). My
question to you re this would be WHO is having fun ? Can you be sure that
Dodgeball is being a FUN experience for ALL the pupils in your care - because
for me, if I am in a situation where an activity is not proving to be thus for even
ONE pupil - then I need to alter something. The importance of pupils feeling a
measure of sucess is vital to the development of their self-esteem... I like to
take time to observe my pupils during lessons and even during recess - and
during the latter I realise that pupils seems to be having fun playing a game -
looking closer and talking to some of them I also learnt that they wanted to
part of a game - and that is why they were having fun....they feel they
belong..not because they like the game per se - they might be eliminated but
at least they are "playing" i show they perceive things. I have learnt the
important lesson that there is more than meets the eye to many things in my
teaching...
But all of the above is personal opinion ... but do catch a glimpse into the
articles on the 12th March - they feature pros, cons, awareness, unawareness
issues that provide some food for thought and discussion. The latter is what
this message board aims to achieve. There might not a right answer - but
there definately be a communication spectrum developing and from that, one
takes home what fits into his/her own teaching belief system.
Cheers Marina

By Huey Pearson on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 08:36 am: Edit

I am still having trouble with our profession thinking that dodgeball is an appropriate activity.
Try getting the Physical Education teachers together in your county and play a "friendly"(?) game of dodgeball and see what the reaction would be. Having fun is an important part of Physical Education but not at the expense of other students.
Maybe someone could start XDodgeball on the pro level for adults. Leave children out of such activities. I want to encourage my students to Adopt a Physically Active Lifestyle and activities like this are not a part of living a physically active lifestyle.

By Darryl Wells on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 03:47 am: Edit

In my experience here teaching Elementary PE to Turkish children I have found that Dodgeball gets mixed reviews. The boys seem to love the game for its fast pace, violence and competitiveness. The girls however, shy away from the game, and even when gender separated, don't seem to like the game to much.
Personally I feel dodgeball does have a place in the curriculum, especially in South American or European schools, where children often know how to kick, but do not really know how to throw. Dodgeball is great for hand-eye coordination, catching and throwing skills.
After several tries with my grade 2 to 5 classes, I wound up changing my dodgeball unit to become no run handball with a soccer goal as the target. It is still competitive, and often someone on the losing team cries, but at least the boys and girls are happy to play together, and the most cooperative team wins. Not a bad lesson for children to learn about team sports, eh?

By B B Doran on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 04:50 am: Edit

I USED to play Dodgeball. I don't anymore. I don't play any game that would involve Human Targets. Games that we played that were of the dodgeball type have been changed in my elementary school classroom. My children still find the new versions as much fun as the old way - and I get better participation from all my students - not from just those who are "tough" enough to get hit. Think about it... We talk about sportsmanship and resolving conflicts and having our children "be nice" to each other then hand them a ball and tell them to hit each other?? It doesn't make sense to me anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing by changing to safe equipment like yarn balls and foam balls - but it still came to children being targets for others to hit. Developmentally, too, I find no reason to use dodgeball as a lead-up activity. There are no professional sports or leisure activities that require humans to be targets. I don't do it anymore!

By Nancy Kelley-Cram on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 - 05:15 pm: Edit

I have to agree with those who do not play dodgeball anymore. I decided to stop playing human target games about 4 years ago. It was a process from the diehard game with harder balls to foam balls to not throwing at any person in any game we play. My students didn't like giving it up at first, but we have found many ways to work on those same skills without one person being hit. I have even had some of my past students return from Middle school to tell me they wished their teachers felt the same way. I walked into a high school class a couple of weeks ago and guess what...they were playing dodgeball with volleyballs no less! I was afraid to go into the gym. The vision of some students cowering against the walls was enough to convince me it is inappropriate for any level. I wish my colleagues could see those who really dislike the game because they are the TARGETS rather than the throwers. We have enough violence in our society without teaching it in physical education class.

By Kevin ODell on Thursday, March 15, 2001 - 12:41 am: Edit

I remember playing dodgeball growing up as well. I loved it. I remember walking into our gym "area" (1/2 the cafeteria) and nothing felt better than seeing those three balls lined up at the midline. I still believe that it is an extremely popular game but i believe that it cannot be used in PE anymore for a few reasons:
1. very serious safety issue when humans are the targets - i remember when i was in 6th grade I was hiding off to the side and a girl had just thrown a ball over and had not seen me. i ran up and i threw it and it hit her face and broke her glasses. luckily she was not injured but if a lens had cut her she could have been blinded. i felt terrible afterward and have been wary of the game ever since.
2. the separation of the two extremes - you will ALWAYS have the group of students who stand as far back from the midline as possible so as not to get hit.(generally they are girls) does anyone here think they actually enjoyed PE class growing up if they stood in the back all the time?
3. too much wait time for those eliminated
Now MAYBE as a teacher one could have a reward system where each student at some point during the year after exemplifying model behavior, may choose the activity for the day. so THEN dodgeball may be an option for those "special" occasions, the students "15 minutes of fame" where they get to pick out and introduce the activity. In conclusion i believe this issue will be here for some time. hopefully someday all PE teachers will realize that it has no value in the development of our youth.

By cj on Friday, March 16, 2001 - 11:23 am: Edit

When we talk of games using human targets I wonder about the game of tag, kids love to "get each other". I DO NOT agree with traditional dodgeball and would be appalled to walk into a gym and see this game being played. It singles out the athletic elite, as does traditional kickball, and scares others away from playing. But, I do admit to playing a human target game, snowball fight is one of my kids favorite games, it's always their choice if they earn an extra PE period. One fluff ball per child, barriers set up in the middle of the gym, you save your teammates by handing them a ball if they are frozen. I play this when we have our first big snowfall, using it to discuss safety issues involved in playing in the snow and safe snowball making. It involves teamwork, cooperation, cardiovascular, throwing, dodging, catching, and it is enjoyed by ALL, really, no one is cowering against the wall.
cj

By constance on Saturday, March 17, 2001 - 02:45 am: Edit

I think dodge ball is the greatest game ever. It involves a lot of locomotive skills. You are dodging, running, catching, throwing, and hitting a target. Everyone is involved. There are such a variety of dodge ball games that you can play without elimination. The kids enjoy it and they are always wanting to play it. I play it, I will continue to play it. But, because of the controversy I don't play it as often as the kids would like. Whenever I play it, I tell the kids that if they do not want to play, that they can sit out. Out of 300 kids, I have one girl that chooses to sit out.

By pherny on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 08:21 pm: Edit

I do not promote dodgeball in my class, but if we have a student choice day that is what they like to do. What I like to do is modify the game so no one gets clobbered. I make the students bounce the ball on the floor before it hits anyone. This brings those who have more ability to throw a ball down a notch, thus reducing the chance for injury. I also limit the number of balls used (usually 2) which can also keep the game under control. I have also modified the game by having students change sides when they are hit, or have them go behind the other team to try to catch a thrown ball from a teammate to get back in the game.

There is no doubt that kids really enjoy this game and with the proper modifications it can be a fun and worthwhile activity. I also belive that this game is not for everyone and it is up to the physical educator to determine if this type of game fits in to their teaching philosophy.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 10:30 am: Edit

I have mixed feelings about dodgeball. My kids love it! I agree that there are so many skills being practiced during the game: agilities thru dodging, cardiovascular, throwing, teamwork, etc. I too have reduced the number of times in which I use the game. I don't have one child who isn't actively involved in the games as we play them. My reasons for playing less dodgeball, maybe 2-3 times a school year are because of the human target concerns. For those of you who have totally given up on the game, perhaps I am right behind you. For those of you still actively utilizing the game, perhaps I am right with you.

By Bob Hautala on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 08:31 pm: Edit

My view of dodgeball is that its negatives far outweigh its positives. If I want a dodging activity, or a cardiovascular activity, or a throwing activity, etc., I can find activities other than dodgeball which maximize the skill on which I want to focus. Kids "want" to play it because a vocal minority likes to play it (perhaps our future PE majors?) and others don't want to rock the popularity boat. Following Marina's cookie example, as a parent, I know that my kids like ice cream, and would eat it as the main course of every meal. It's my job to be sure that they get the broccoli that they need for good nutrition, AND it's my job to prepare the broccoli in a way that makes it appealing to them. But, unlike ice cream, even one treat of dodgeball sets the kids up for injury, psychological distress, frustration, and a dislike of the "stuff" they have to do in Gym class. Lastly, throwing at targets should not involve human targets. Cones or swinging hoops are just as difficult to hit.

By Mario on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 02:59 pm: Edit

I agree that dodge ball in its "old school" form with kickballs and elimination is not developmentally appropriate, but some of the newer games I think are great games for physical education. With the new gator skin foam balls, it is hard for a student to get hurt and there are so many ways to avoid elimination. I do not really think that dodge ball is that dangerous, relatively speaking. I have taught 1st through 6th grade, and it seems as though no matter what I do a kid always falls or trips and wants to go to the nurse, particularly with tag for the 5th and 6th graders who are over weight. But in dodge ball, everyone has their own personal space and they are still getting the cardiovascular workout and now they are having fun as opposed to doing fitness stations. Sure a student may get mildly hurt with a throw every 500 throws, but that is still a lot less than the total amount of injuries I have for any other class, so I fail to see the danger in using foam and nerf balls. I think the injuries are blown out of proportion and it is really not as dangerous as people think, but I do agree there is an emotional danger for some unathletic people. Regardless of the argument for the original dodge ball, there are many new games that work too. For example I play a game where I set up bowling pins on each side and the students have to knock down the other team's pins with gator skin foam balls or nerf balls. In order to do so, the students have to roll the ball underhand like they are bowling. Students are still allowed to throw at other students but the balls must be rolled like a bowling ball. When a student is hit in the feet they go off to the side, pick an exercise card out of a bowl, perform the exercise, and come back in. Students are also allowed to catch a ball if it is rolling at their feet, but they must catch the ball cleanly they cannot just block the ball. It is the best game that I play because everyone is active and in their own space and rarely is a student ever injured. Let's face it, physical education classes are often over crowded and modified dodge ball is a great way to get all of the students involved, break a sweat, have fun, and get their heart rates up too.

By Susan on Sunday, April 01, 2001 - 12:32 pm: Edit

Regarding dodgeball-The problem with dodgeball is that many PE teachers use the game just to throw out a ball, without any objectives in mind. Many sports, wrestling for example, involve getting the opponent down, to overpower, to win. With the right guidelines and links to the standards, dodgeball can involve rules that don't not necessarily eliminate people, teach proper throwing, catching, and dodging skills, the game can be educational and physically challenging. This is where PE teachers need to act in a professional way and put a little effort into their lesson.

By Daria Winker on Friday, April 06, 2001 - 08:34 am: Edit

I do not use dodgeball in my classes. I spend too much time getting them to treat each other appropriately to let them throw balls at each other. Last week I took a personal day and the sub "let them play dodgeball instead of follow the lesson plan. One of the classroom teachers noticed an obvious change for the worse in her class after playing 25 minutes of dodgeball. They were more aggressive to each other, and less respectful toward each other. I tend to wonder how many unsupportive administrators were the kids who hid along the back wall or were alwaysthe first ones out. I tell the kids that beg for dodgeball that when their class consistently shows respect for each other, I might consider it.

By Lola Free on Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 02:54 pm: Edit

My kids love dodgeball and I let them play it. If dodgeball allows children to throw balls and "human targets" doesn't every other sport (volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball etc)

By Anonymous on Thursday, April 19, 2001 - 06:56 am: Edit

I play dodge ball and will continue until they "outlaw" it. They game played with certain safety rules make for an exercise filled fun day.I.E. No throwing above waist, if hit my students are not eliminate but have to do various,vigorous exercise to come back into game. Great game for teaching throwing skills.

By Anonymous on Saturday, April 21, 2001 - 10:32 am: Edit

After reviewing the dodgeball articles above I am inclined to have noticed a substantial increase in the grammatical errors of the pro dodgeball debaters. Perhaps this is a coincidence, or perhaps it is the result of being struck in the occipital protuberance one to many times while in an educational setting of all places. Try spell check dodgeball players.

By Anonymous on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 06:09 pm: Edit

I find that Dodgeball is a very aeorbic game and can develop many skills. However I use many versions of dodgeball and always where no one sits out. Gatorballs are used, below the waist, and games that involve strategy such as star wars, are played. Again I have very few children that stand back on the endlines. My children beg to play dodgeball games, but again I use it to teach other basic skills.

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 01:51 pm: Edit

FYI, there was an article recently in our local newspaper about dodgeball. Here is my response:

Dodgeball in Physical Education

Proponents of dodgeball in physical education make a good case. The game involves running, dodging, fleeing, chasing - fundamental movement skills we like to teach to elementary aged children - and is fun for many students. It also involves striking classmates (typically the female, slow moving, overweight, lower skilled, late maturing ones) as hard as possible with some kind of ball. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves whether this is the best way we can encourage our children to stay healthy and active, and not join the more than 50% of American adults already overweight and at much higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer. I could also teach Shakespeare by standing in front of a class and lecturing for 40 minutes, or by creating a dynamic interaction among students challenging them to comprehend then act out scenes from Hamlet. Through which experience would you learn more? The point is that there are better ways than dodgeball to develop fundamental movement skills that do not risk turning youth off of physical activity. What does puzzle me is why anyone teaching above the elementary level would even consider dodgeball in their physical education curriculum. By then its a bit late to be teaching basic movement skills. Adolescent youth need to be encouraged into lifetime activities such as tennis, golf, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, orienteering, table tennis, dancing, weight training, swimming, skating and so on. Finally, if anyone seriously doubts the potential impact of being repeatedly struck by a ball on a child's development, I offer the following invitation. Contact me at CWU and I will arrange for you to participate in a 30 minute game of dodgeball with our university baseball team. Wear your shorts, and a short sleeved t-shirt. Bring evidence of health insurance and leave your glasses on the sideline. Afterwards, tell me how much fun you had...and maybe, as in many schools we could repeat it daily.

Stephen C. Jefferies, Professor
Physical Education
Central Washington University

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Wednesday, May 09, 2001 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Another news article on Dodgeball appeared today in the Washington Post Online, Wednesday, May 9 2001, Page A31
URL: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/opionion/columns/williamsmarjorie/A1052-2001May8.html

The Painful Playground

By Marjorie Williams

Now it can be told. Two years after the killings at Columbine High School, two months after the murders at Santana High School, concerned school administrators and cutting-edge gym teachers are at last cracking down on one of the menaces that prey on the psyches of America's young.

The culprit in question is dodge ball -- also known, depending on where you went to school, by such aliases as killerball, prison ball and bombardment. In school districts across the nation, including Fairfax County, authorities have banned the playing of these games in physical education classes, on the ground that they foster aggression and discriminate against less athletic children. In a recent symposium in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Dennis Docheff, of Wisconsin's Concordia University, said, "In today's world, with so many things breeding violent behavior in children, there is no room for dodgeball anymore." A game that uses "students as human targets," says Mary Marks, health and PE coordinator for Fairfax County public schools, "sets up the potential for teasing and ridicule."

The alarm over dodge ball stands at the delta of two rivers of social concern: One is a push within the physical education profession to make PE more inclusive. Given the constricting hours devoted to gym classes across the country, many teachers have a sensible resistance to games that eliminate players, relegating them to the role of spectators for the bulk of the class. This movement deserves applause for its efforts to make gym class more appealing to kids who aren't naturally inclined toward sports.

But the other critique of dodge ball and similar games flows from the perceived crisis of bullying in the schools, highlighted by the murderous reactions of the Dylan Klebolds and Eric Harrises and Andy Williamses who have responded by killing their classmates. This social boomlet subscribes to a Slippery Slope view of the world, in which all manifestations of childhood aggression are seen as potential seedlings of pathology.

The grandfather of dodge ball abolition is Neil Williams, a professor of physical education at Eastern Connecticut State University, who recently told the Chicago Tribune that dodge ball "encourages the best to pick on the weak and to be glorified for picking on the weak." In the '90s, he published a series of influential articles in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, outlining what he termed the "Physical Education Hall of Shame" -- games that included kickball, dodge ball, Simon says, red rover, musical chairs, spud, tag and even duck, duck, goose -- some on the grounds that they include too much sitting-around time but others on the grounds that they promote cliques or aggression.

The only way this pocket social movement makes any sense is as a mirror of adult anxiety over children's lives -- a sort of smiling cousin to the "zero-tolerance" policies that grown-ups have devised toward drugs and toy weapons and sexual harassment on the playground as a way of coping with the teeming variability of children's personalities and problems and backgrounds. It suggests that if only we can systematically eliminate all the transactions through which children express their aggression, we can eliminate aggression itself.

It might seem pessimistic to think that children bombarded by images of violence (Mortal Kombat, anyone?), and all too often by violence itself, can be plunged into depravity because their gym teachers sanctioned a game in which they threw balls at each other. But this belief is in fact a form of screwball optimism: If only we do everything right, it whispers -- if we add precisely the right ingredients to the snakes and snails and puppy dogs' tails of boys' natures -- then we can, after all, control or forestall a terrifying social disorder.

This wishful illusion of control is much easier than most of the other possible avenues to avoiding future Columbines, which include assigning every child a parent who is paying attention, and a school whose officials actually know the children in their charge, and maybe even a social order that doesn't hold the rights of gun owners in such holy esteem.

Of course there are kids for whom gym class is purgatory -- just as there are those for whom math class is a bed of nails. Of course we should teach children to treat each other well. Of course we should take seriously the damage that even the best kids can do to each other in the state of nature we call sixth grade. But we can't eliminate social pain from childhood, and we don't do children any favors by suggesting that its every manifestation is unendurable.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 10:48 am: Edit

The previous article motivated me to write the following response. Whether you agree or disagree please be sure to add your own thoughts to this topic.

Steve Jefferies
PELINKS4U

****
Marjorie:

I read with interest your recent commentary on dodgeball in "gym" classes. Although you probably felt it struck a nice balance between "info-tainment" and controversy, you should be aware how hurtful your assertions and insinuations were to many teachers who have dedicated their lives to "physically educating" children. While you are absolutely right that treating other humans with respect doesn't guarantee they will mature into productive members of society, trivializing the efforts of folk who are trying their hardest to make a difference in the lives of children is little more than "cheap-shot" journalism.

You allude to the fact that there is no simple solution to youth violence - if there was we would surely implement it - while simultaneously pointing out the futility of those teaching professionals who are trying in the small way that they control to create a more humane school environment. What were you thinking to publicly ridicule the efforts of those who are actually trying to make a difference? Just how much time did you spend in playgrounds and gyms researching this article? For your information, trying to change children's attitudes is an incredibly difficult and frustrating challenge, and folk are eager to grasp sensationalistic offerings such as yours to defend behaviors that many educators are endeavoring to change. It is an ongoing struggle to eliminate the humiliating experience of old "gym" classes in which girls are separated as second-class citizens, and captains pick teams leaving the low skilled students in line as last choices. In your article, by pretending to evenly straddle a division of opinion you simply were setting yourself up to take ill-informed pot shots at an issue that warranted much more thoughtful analysis.

Suggesting that folks opposed to dodgeball express a belief that is "in fact a form of screwball optimism" represents a demeaning naivete on your own part regarding the intellect of physical educators. Physical educators (they are not "gym" teachers) are under no illusions because, unlike you, they are the ones who spend their days with children and personally face issues such as school violence. They are the ones who are trying to build up the self-esteem of children who for all we know may indeed be the future Dylan Klebolds and Eric Harrises. The small efforts they make may indeed often be ineffective Marjorie, but they are at least making an effort rather than devoting their literary energies to sabotaging the efforts of others who dedicate their lives to the welfare of children.

Your article was both demeaning and insulting. I would suggest that in the future you avoid intellectualizing about topics which you almost certainly have zero practical experience. Did you for a moment not realize that those opposed to dodgeball see firsthand the potential negative impact of the game on young children? Just for a moment focus your intellectual capacities on a vision of YOU, an adult dressed in shorts and a short sleeved t-shirt. Around you are other adults intent of hitting you as hard as possible with a ball. You are low skilled, they are high skilled. You get struck from the front, from the back, in the head, on the face. Your glasses bounce across the floor as you fall over and now are a stationary target for anyone holding a ball. They are laughing as you helplessly attempt to protect yourself while balls come from all directions. The welts on your body turn red and sting. This continues for 30 minutes and then is repeated on an almost daily basis. Are you having fun? How's your self-esteem? Is this a positive educational experience you would wish for all children? How about for your own children? During this experience might not the glimmer of inspirational thought strike you (perhaps accompanied by a ball) to consider that we would be better served by eliminating this (small) "manifestation of social pain from childhood"? If you aren't sure, might I suggest that for your next article you report on the real experience. I'd be happy to set it up.

I just wonder where you would choose to draw the line in your "this is the real-world" argument against protecting children from the risk of harm? In the safe arena of your journalistic intellectualizing is there a line? Or would you suggest that we simply let our children be exposed to all possible risks of "social pain" in the apparent belief this will make them more resilient in the future? If so, let's do away with crossing guards at schools, remove school speed zones, and eliminate student behavioral expectations. Marjorie, physical educators have no "illusions of control over social disorder" and like you we don't have all the answers to eliminating school violence. But is it so difficult for you to recognize a difference between activities that have a low or high risk of physical and emotional harm? It may not be a complicated concept nor one worthy of a Washington Post publication, but for the sake of our children let's hope it's a distinction that the school teachers you took delight in criticizing continue to recognize.

Finally, perhaps you also missed the irony of your own cynical writing style. While dismissing the efforts of apparently (in your opinion), misguided do-good dodgeball detractors, you simultaneously lament the evils of school violence. Well guess what Marjorie? If you conduct a little more "research" you might discover that the putting down of others - apparently the point of your article - is precisely one of those evils that is associated with the kind of alienation that results in social misfits.

Sincerely,

Stephen C. Jefferies, Professor
Physical Education
Central Washington University

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 04:56 pm: Edit

On May 14 Rick Reilly in Sports Illustrated published the following commentary (to which I respond in the next posting):

****

The Weak Shall Inherit the Gym

Posted: Tuesday May 08, 2001 5:55 PM

Not to alarm you, but America is going softer than left-out butter. Exhibit 9,137: Schools have started banning dodgeball.

I kid you not. Dodgeball has been outlawed by some school districts in New York, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Many more are thinking about it, like Cecil County, Md., where the school board wants to ban any game with "human targets." Personally, I wish all these people would go suck their Birkenstocks.

Human targets? What's tag? What's a snowball fight? What's a close play at second? Neil Williams, a physical education professor at Eastern Connecticut State, says dodgeball has to go because it "encourages the best to pick on the weak." Noooo! You mean there's weak in the world? There's strong? Of course there is, and dodgeball is one of the first opportunities in life to figure out which one you are and how you're going to deal with it.

We had a bully, Big Joe, in our seventh grade. Must have weighed 225 pounds, used to take your underwear while you were in the shower and parade around the locker room twirling it on his finger. We also had a kid named Melvin, who was so thin we could've faxed him from class to class. I'll never forget the dodgeball game in which Big Joe had a ball in each hand and one sandwiched between his knees, firing at our side like a human tennis-ball machine, when, all of a sudden, he got plunked right in his 7-Eleven-sized butt. Joe whirled around to see who'd done it and saw that it was none other than Melvin, all 83 pounds of him, most of it smile.

Some of these New Age whiners say dodgeball is inappropriate in these times of horrifying school shootings. Are you kidding? Dodgeball is one of the few times in life when you get to let out your aggressions, no questions asked. We don't need less dodgeball in schools, we need more!

I know what all these NPR-listening, Starbucks-guzzling parents want. They want their Ambers and their Alexanders to grow up in a cozy womb of noncompetition, where everybody shares tofu and Little Red Riding Hood and the big, bad wolf set up a commune. Then their kids will stumble out into the bright light of the real world and find out that, yes, there's weak and there's strong and teams and sides and winning and losing. You'll recognize those kids. They'll be the ones filling up chalupas. Very noncompetitive.

But Williams and his fellow wusses aren't stopping at dodgeball. In their Physical Education Hall of Shame they've also included duck-duck-goose and musical chairs. Seriously. So, if we give them dodgeball, you can look for these games to be banned next:

Tag. Referring to any child as it is demeaning and hurtful. Instead of the child hollering, "You're it!" we recommend, "You're special!"

Red Rover. Inappropriate labeling of children as animals. Also, the use of the word red evokes Communist undertones.

Sardines. Unfairly leaves one child alone at the end as the loser -- a term psychologists have deemed unacceptable.

Hide-and-seek. No child need hide or be sought. The modern child runs free in search of himself.

Baseball. Involves wrong-headed notions of stealing, errors and gruesome hit-and-run. Players should always be safe, never out.

Hopscotch. Sounds vaguely alcoholic, not to mention demeaning to our friends of Scottish ancestry.

Marbles. Winning others' marbles is overly capitalistic.

Marco Polo. Mocks the blind.

Capture the flag. Mimics war.

Kick the can. Unfair to the can.

If we let these PC twinkies have their way, we'll be left with:

Duck-duck-duck. Teacher spends the entire hour patting each child softly on the head.

Upsy down. The entire class takes turns fluffing the gym teacher's pillow before her nap.

Swedish baseball. Players are allowed free passage to first, second or third, where they receive a relaxing two-minute massage from opposing players.

Smear the mirror. Students take turns using whipped cream to smear parts of their reflection they don't like, e.g., the fat they have accrued from never doing a damn thing in gym class.

Issue date: May 14, 2001

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 04:59 pm: Edit

Response to Reilly:
****

The humor that you managed to extract out of news that some schools have banned the playing of dodgeball, ignores the fact that for low skilled, less mature, less physically motivated, and often female students who because of a lack of practice do not possess proficient throwing skills, being repeatedly struck by a ball is not the kind of positive educational experience we need in schools. Humiliation, pain, and being picked on by more physically skilled children are not characteristics of the kind of learning environment most parents would prefer for our children. Your remaining trite comments about the possible banning of other games reflects your apparent ignorance of the purpose of physical education in schools which is to motivate children towards healthy and active lifestyles - not to beat out any last interest through repeated exposure to acts of macho, testosterone driven aggression. Go get some practical dodgeball experience with some of your professional baseball friends and after 30 minutes of being pounded by skilled athletes report back to us!

By Anonymous on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Dodgeball as played when I was in high school is inappropriate.....but today there are so many adaptations of the game that develop skills and are fun for the students and are good for them.

I think that everyone is forgetting that you as a physical educator set the tone for the class. Yes, the content is important but you are the one that models respect, sportsmanship, demands cooperation and kindness and sets the tone for the class. If you stress competition rather than fun that is what your students will learn. If you make it a game of targets and elimination then that is what your students will learn. If you make it a game of fun and provide students an opportunity to help each other and cooperate that is what they will learn. It is up to each individual to decide what they believe and act on that. Most of all, no one can judge the effectiveness of another teacher by whether or not they play "dodgeball" in some form. By the way, none of us are perfect, we all make mistakes in spelling and grammer, especially when we are typing in a hurry....let's not get too critical. We need to be supportive of each other.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:51 am: Edit

When I attended San Diego State University one of the very first things we learned is to NEVER play dodgeball! Our professors informed us that in California we could no longer legally play this horrible game. Whether it is legal or not is not the issue...there is no place for it in the classroom!! Even modifications are useless. Seperating based on gender IS illegal!! Some have stated how great the skills are that students will be using. There are so many other activities/drills that can be used that this argument is rather "stupid". How many of the students are really getting those skills you speak of, anyway? I can tell you if you are observing, there is only a handful of the more competitive students achieving these skills. Everyone else is just a target! If you are truly a Physical Educator then you should go back to the standards, frameworks, mandates, or even go back to school and get re-educated! If you are a self-contained classroom teacher, you obviously don't have the expertise to be making any educated decision on this subject. Refer to the Physical Education Speicalist in your District and get the correct information!!

By Bruce Rice on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 11:15 am: Edit

I stopped playing bombardment 25 years ago for the
same reasons that are given today. Instead of
dodgeball we play a game called Targetball. Instead of human targets, our target is a old
basketball that does not hold air. We have four
teams with one team on each line of a thirty foot
square. The targetball is placed in the middle of
the square. Each team begins with two playground
balls. The idea of the game is to hit the target-
ball and drive it across another team's line. You
are trying to give all the points to the other
teams. The team with the lowest number of points
wins. The game is over when the targetball crosses
a line. Place the targetball in the middle, pass
out the playground balls, and begin again. Target-
ball is excellent game to improve throwing skills
and is fast paced and exciting.

By Gordie Brown on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 02:03 pm: Edit

Dodgeball if FUN FOR THE KIDS!!!!! Make very specific rules for the students to make sure that the possibility of anyone getting hurt is minimized. It is an exciting game for the kids and it can be a very challenging team game. Modify the rules so no one gets hurt, end of story.

By Bryan McCullick on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 12:06 pm: Edit

Gordie-

Ask the 10 kids on each side of the court who are hanging out at the baseline and retrieving the balls for the others,if it is fun for them. Yes, it may be, but not for the reasons you want them to have fun (moving, being a part of a team, working together, achieving a goal, etc).

It is, more than likely, fun for them because they can hide out, socialize and not be noticed. Moreover, I'd bet that they are horrified more than anything else, avoiding having to throw and/or drop a ball or get pegged with the ball. Logically, dodgeball doesn't infuse the attitude that physical activity is good for us and "FUN FOR THE KIDS!!!!!".

I've never seen an elementary dodgeball game where EVERYONE is having fun, learning, and being physically active--no matter the modifications.

I also ask myself this question: If my job as an elementary physical education teacher is to help children learn skills so that they can participate in a variety of sports, then where does dodgeball come in to play? I have racked my brain and can think of no SPORT where throwing the ball is a necessary skill (with the exception of throwing an intentional beanball in baseball. I, personally, don't need to teach my kids that skill)!
Football? Throw the ball to and away. Baseball? Throw to and away. Volleyball and Tennis? throw to self. The only time I can see it is in basketball when you need to throw the ball at someone when you have picked up your dribble. How many times does that happen in a game? If you are a good dribbler and have LEARNED the game, you really shouldn't have a need for this skill.

Rick Reilly is a good writer and he is funny. But, that is what we need to remember, he is CLUELESS when it comes to appropriate physical education. He wants people to respond to him, that is his job. He can't be taken seriously. However, it is scary that physical educators who are "in the know" who ditto his remarks.

By Bill Schumaker on Tuesday, May 22, 2001 - 05:11 pm: Edit

My take on the debate on dodgeball is that it has NO value whatsoever. This activity, along with other "infamous" PE games, etc. has been black-flagged by many respectable publications and websites geared toward Physical Education teachers. I know in my classes who can throw with the proper form, and who struggle. Im not so sure the kids understand the "benefit" to playing dodgeball, other than they get to fire various types of balls at other kids. Is this developmentally appropriate? no way. Its a cop-out for PE teachers to stand and throw the balls out and watch students throw relentlessly at each other. If there are PE teachers out there playing this activity, and they are looking at throwing skills, they had better have a cue sheet list with every students name, so they can accurately provide more relevant information on each child's throwing skills. There are so many other types of throwing activities that can be done to promote the proper motion, and playing a game that can and has affected the psyche of some, DOES NOT have a place in any Physical Education classroom.

By mikeg on Tuesday, May 22, 2001 - 07:10 pm: Edit

So, basically, we as P. E. Teachers have the job of saving the world!? No! The problems we are seeing with children (Columbine)these days is based on the same psycho-babble you are using against dodgeball. Life IS survivial of the fittest and all about competetion. We can't change that. It's EVERYWHERE! And by sheltering these kids we are causing them to not develop strategies to cope with being let down or scared. Which is why Columbine happens. Kids who have not learned how to cope with life's few up and many downs. I play dodgeball-type games with the kids all the time. The learn how to dodge (important in lots of sports and activities), throw (enough said), and even deal with competition. Plus it's VERY aerobic! If you make decent rules, have a reason (with the kids knowing the reason)for playing, and soft balls, this game is excellent!

By Gerry Cernicky (Ger) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 07:30 pm: Edit

Yes , dodgeball is fun and ask all those students who get hit in places that can't me mentioned or in the face. It is not very aerobic as stated . I think hiding behind somebody , chasing a ball less than 30 feet and throwing is not active at all .Yes , you have to dodge a baseball and that is from the pitcher whose job at times is to see how close (or hit) the opposing teams top hitter . In b-ball you dodge but mostly on defense or a loose ball . The same goes for dodging 300 lb. lineman but where does the throwing come in to that . Just recently , while on duty at recess , I noticed the students playing dodgeball . The scenario looked like the battles in Revolutionary days where each side stood facing each other at shooting at close range(see the Patriot movie). Within moments before I got wind of the activity(I have to watch over 100 kids) , a girl got hit in the face , broken glasses , cut lip and a slight cut on the cheek . This is within 15 seconds . The only aerobic activity was the run to the nurses office. And don't give us the Columbine garbage ! You may disguise the rules with equipment but it still the same - the only kids who like it are the ones with the best arms and the best aim . The others are left to squander in embarrassment and low self esteem . Last week a teaching colleague was playing dodgeball and was viewed by a PTA parent . "Anybody can teach that , " she swaggered . Well , if that really is the answer then I guess we need to examine our curriculum and check what we are teaching , hopefully , activities that the normal lay person can't comprehend , or even better , " I wish I did that when I had PE in school ." !NOT DODGEBALL

By Laurie Wagner on Thursday, May 31, 2001 - 07:52 am: Edit

Dodgeball, No Way
How many of you are helping the students improve their throwing skills by giving cues in the middle of a dodgeball game? There are too many activities that are more appropriate to be wasting time playing dodgeball. I can not think of one good reason to hurl equipment at another person.
Laurie Wagner

By Betsy Hart on Thursday, May 31, 2001 - 02:46 pm: Edit

Dodgeball is a game of the past. It has never been fun for the person who was always hit. Usually the students who need to be active are the ones out of the game first. The students we need to encourage to be active are those who are being hit.
It is not a game I use in my Physical Education classes. There are too many other things I need to teach in class and not enough time to do them. Yes, I teach Physical Education. I don't roll out the ball and let the students play. The people who use dodgeball are not Physical Educators, they are "gym teachers" who roll out the ball and let the students play.

By belinda baker on Thursday, May 31, 2001 - 03:20 pm: Edit

I play dodgeball with my elementary students boys
and girls together. They love it. I made sockballs
and they work great.

By mikeg on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 03:16 pm: Edit

well, we people of the 2000 millenia can now use VERY soft balls (gatorskin) to avoid broken glasses and cut lips. Also, how the heck can you state that it's not aerobic? Play it sometime...you will sweat your a$$ off, as do my students. You mean to tell me that you don't play games with your students once in a while just because they like it? I do this a few times a year as a break from our regular curriculum. EVERYONE enjoys it, boys, girls, athletes, and the opposite side of the coin. I played with 6 classes today, one very minor injury (kid bumping into another, can happen with anything) and not 1 sad face today. I think you are remembering your experiences from 20 years ago, and not seeing the game today. You should be able to play a game, which uses skills, but not have to stop every 10 seconds to coach the kids. Let them learn from experience...and then after you are done, talk to the kids about technique. Everyone should let their students pick a game of their choice to play a few times a year. If you offer a dodgeball game, i bet 95% of the kids pick it, and the other 5% won't mind. Wow, tough teachers here. Hate to be your students!

By mikeg on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 07:01 pm: Edit

ok, here's a game that might make you guys happy. my kids love to play "border patrol". short version...set up 5 plastic bowling pins on each side of the gym, 2 teams, first team to knock down all the other team's pins wins. use those soft fleeceballs since the kids use their bodies to shield the cones, no more than 2 people guarding a pin. the kids love it, ALL OF THEM. It's basically "get hit by choice"! let me know if you want more details, rules, etc...

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 07:27 pm: Edit

By ensenada (Ensenada) on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 - 09:56 pm: Edit

By Greg Burd

I love this stuff! Dr. Steve Jefferies, although he over uses an emotional plea to discredit dodgeball, he seems very informed. The question on the table now seems to be if the benefits of dodgeball are more or less than the negatives of the game. The benefits include the practice of throwing, catching, dodging, and fleeing.

I have yet to see a unit or even one game that has not revealed low skilled participants and pleased 100% of the students in the class. I have seen modifications to dodgeball that do in fact provide for maximum participation and maximum success for all students. With the type of balls or soft implements used today, safety is hardly more of an issue than any other open skilled sports that involve an element of chaos. I have read all of the previous arguments pro and con dodgeball. It is my understanding that an occasional game of modified dodgeball does not harm even a low skilled individual enough to out-weigh the benefits.

My bone to pick with dodgeball and its advocates then, is concerning ALTPE (academic learning time in physical education). I do not know the answer to the question I will pose but I suspect that I know the answer from my own professional observations. Compared to other activities that would promote the same skills as dodgeball, how much actual activity time does the average student get in a game of dodgeball? That is, how many trials does the students receive of throwing, catching, dodging, and fleeing in a 15 minute game of dodgeball? I suspect that if a wide spread systematic analysis of ALTPE in dodgeball was taken we would find very little support for the educational value of dodgeball.

In conclusion, although dodgeball does have skill based values they may be few and far between. For this reason I would hope that physical educators would at the very least reserve dodgeball for rare occasions rather than a staple. Fun is extremely important for the students but not at the expense of forfeiting our duties to teach skilled human movement.

P.S. thank you J. Hutslar for pointing out the how silly this debate is in comparison

By Matt Muxen on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 - 10:15 pm: Edit

I can remember playing dodgeball when I was in elementary school and loving it. I also remember other students sitting out much of the time and not enjoying the game as much as I did. Gone are the days of red playground balls drilling some poor overweight girl in the face, times have changed (obviously for the better). After reading many of the other comments listed on the forum most of my opinions have stayed the same. I have listened to all of the arguments for and against, and while I agree that the "old" style of dodgeball should be "outlawed" I simply do not agree with people saying all forms of the game are bad.
The argument of human targets is true in many other activities found in most PE programs: football, softball, badminton, tag etc. If safety rules are put in effect and rules are set, students have no more chance of being injured then during most any other activity. The argument that only the best athletes win is just not true. There are so many variations to the game now that give the slower or weaker the same advantage as anyone. I have just as many boys as girls, or athletic or non-athletic children beg to play it on a regular basis. While they know this is not an activity we do often, it is enjoyed by most all when we do. While you may say MOST all is not good enough I would disagree. While most students enjoy most all of my activities I have yet to find one that everyone likes and plays hard every time. If you have one let me know!
While I agree that dodgeball in its "old" form is not developmentally appropriate, that now can be changed as well. By doing lead up activities that evolve throwing and catching you can justify a form of dodgeball as a part of that unit.
While I would never dream of playing any form of dodgeball for entire unit, I still see very little arguments to persuade me to stop playing it the 4-5 time a year I play now. I cannot see rational behind not letting children ever play a game that they love.

By Susie Burd (Susie) on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 - 10:32 pm: Edit

I have reviewed the articles recommended by Dr. Jeffris and read the following responses to this debate. The first thought that comes to mind is that most games of a dodgeball-like fashion have changed since many of the responders last played. In fact, I entered college assuming that we were not going to be taught how to use dodgeball as an activity to practice throwing, catching and dodging. To my surprise Dr. LeAnn Martin ,professor of pedagogy at WWU, spent a short while showing the new way dodgeball should be played, if played at all. She said there must be at least one foam ball per student so that each child has maximum trials, and no elimination so students have maximum success as well. The game became a fun, safe, and high-energy activity for us. More importantly, one could not single out the best baseball player nor the weakest thrower because of the chaos of foam balls flying every which way. The strongest players got hit just as much as the weaker players (and come on, foam balls do not hurt!) and there were no winners and losers. My point is, the game has changed and can be played to teach throwing, catching, and dodging skills in a friendly, somewhat competitive-but safe environment.
I do agree dodgeball is overdone in PE and that there are tons of creative ways to teach children throwing, catching, and dodging. The only thing that makes me somewhat fearful of allowing students to play it in the classroom is the adults who have become afraid that "human targeting" could cause children to be more aggressive and violent. I am concerned that there may be possible downfalls to "human targeting" but I would like to see some scientific research on the effect of non-elimination dodgeball on school-aged children (are their any good ones out there?).

By Dan Persse (Danthepeman) on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 - 10:51 pm: Edit

Every once in a great while my physical education curriculum is disrupted with an occasional field trip, early-release assembly schedule, snow day, pulled fire alarm, or the day after Halloween. Even teaching to elementary students two days before Christmas break can have it's "disadvantages" to say the least. I may then resort to an activity that 1) demonstrates physical skills (locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative) that contribute to movement proficiency, 2) performs fundamental movement combinations (run/catch; catch/throw; dribble/pass), 3) applies movement principles and skills to complex activities that enhance a physically active life, 4) follows rules and safety procedures while participating in a variety of physical activities, 5) demonstrates knowledge of rules and safety procedures while participating cooperatively in individual, dual/team, and leisure activities, 6) incorporates safety procedures into activities and individual fitness plans for leisure and employment, 7) develop a fitness vocabulary and awareness of fitness concepts while participating regularly in a variety of physical activities for fitness and play, 8) measure physical fitness, set fitness and activity goals, and explore a variety of activities to maintain healthy levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular-endurance-flexibility, and body composition, 9) all students will have fun. This activity is·are you ready·Medic Dodgeball!
My lesson plan will detail that my objectives with this all-participation game meet the following Washington Assessment for Student Learning Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Health and Fitness February 2001:

1. The student acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain an active life: Movement, physical fitness.
To meet this standard, the student will:
1.1 Develop fundamental and complex movement skills, as developmentally appropriate.
1.2 Safely participates in a variety of developmentally physical activities.
1.3 Understand the concepts of health-related fitness and develop and monitor progress on personal fitness goals.

For safety I use those 5" foam balls, more than I have students
For checking for understanding I stop the class to: point out the great catchers and throwers and dodgers and strategists as well as those who are the medics for their hard working pulling the students to the hospital wall to continue back in the game. I will discuss, in brief, any improvements that can be made catchers and throwers and dodgers and strategists as well as those who are the medics. I then change the medics with any of those who volunteer (keeping gender equality in mind). I then resume the game.

I totally disliked my "gym" class back in the 70's where the curriculum was dodgeball (I still see those rubber balls - you know - the small red ones - flying at me from all sides with the bullies and "gym" teacher smiling and laughing), basketball (picked last!) and flag football, dodgeball, basketball (still picked last!) and then a change of pace with flag football OUTSIDE! In fact, I HATED PE. I teach physical education to change not only physical education of old, but to give those unfit overweight no-confident children a chance in having a rewarding physical education experience.

With the above considered am I a bad physical education teacher? Let me know - please!

Dan Persse, A.T.,C C.S.C.S.
Blaine Elementary School
Central Washington Graduate Student

PS. You can access the above WASL EALRS in their entirety at: (http://www.k12.wa.us/reform/EALR/standards/healthfitns.asp)

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Thursday, June 28, 2001 - 09:59 am: Edit

The following posting was made to the NASPE Listserv by Dr. George Graham of Virginia Tech. George was of course the initiator of the PE Central web site, a popular conference presenter, and is the author of many publications on children's physical education. Because the posting relates to the dodgeball we wanted to share it on the forum
***

Golden Opportunity

It seems to me that recent focus of the media on dodgeball is a great
opportunity for those of us in our profession to clearly articulate the
reasons why physical education belong in schools. While it is not easy to
do, I think as often as possible when we are contacted by the media (or
parents, administrators) we need to steer the conversation away from
dodgeball per se (admitting that it is controversial within our profession)
towards the overall purpose of p.e. While this healthy debate about
dodgeball will continue for years, I see few, if any, of the leaders in our
profession arguing that dodgeball contributes to ALL "youngsters becoming
physically active and healthy for a lifetime." As we are learning (if we
didn't already know it) the media is adept at taking events totally out of
context and construing the event to make their point. As a profession we
cannot guarantee that our physical education programs will lead all
youngsters to a lifetime of physical activity. We are 100% certain,
however, that the p.e. of the past (e.g. dodgeball; kickball; Duck, Duck
Goose; basketball; softball, etc.) has lead to a plethora of adults who are
overweight and physically inactive. How can one argue in good conscience
for continuing such programs? While we are not sure of the solution (nor
are math, or reading, or science professionals) we know what does not
work--and those of us who are searching for alternatives need to be proud
of our efforts and continue our mutual quests to find a better way for all
kids--not only those who are dodgeball experts. The current dodgeball
debate provides a golden opportunity to make this point to all who are
willing to listen---and these days we have the stage so lets take advantage
of it.

George Graham
Virginia Tech

By Shannon Bennett (Shaminan) on Thursday, June 28, 2001 - 08:32 pm: Edit

Wow...what a debate. I haven't seen an issue this controversial come through in a long time. I teach at the jr. high level and the first thing I want to say is...you're missing the point...Playing dodgeball is one of the few activities where the teacher can play along and get some needed frustration out on some of those teenagers that are always giving us trouble I'm just kidding...But seriously...
I have played Dodgeball in my first two years of teaching despite knowing that it wasn't the best activity for all. But I haven't played it often and there are definite rules so that injury is not an issue. Some kids DO love it! Some kids DO hate it, and they usually aren't the vocal ones. Maybe that's their fault, maybe it's mine. But...after reading through the debate and discussing it with my fellow grad students, I think I've come to the conclusion that I don't NEED to play this game. I don't NEED to promote kids feeling bad about what they are doing in physical education class. I don't NEED to contribute to violence and aggression, in case this is what is a result. Bottom line...I don't NEED this activity and so why should I play it? There are other games that kids love. There are other games that are similar where we don't have to throw a ball at each other. There are other games and activities that I can create that kids will fall in love with and my legend will live on forever
I'm moving on....

By Steve Jefferies (Admin) on Saturday, June 30, 2001 - 08:01 am: Edit

Thanks to Jim Bogden, MPH
Senior Project Associate
National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) for sharing this information:
****
In the spirit of "know thine enemy," the current issue of the conservative Weekly Standard contains a cover story of interest to the physical and health education community at:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/magazine/mag_6_39_01/labash_feat_6_39_01.asp

Following are the first few paragraphs:

June 25, 2001/Vol 6, Number 39
What's Wrong with Dodgeball?
The New Phys Ed and the Wussification of America
By Matt Labash

Of all the perplexing issues that have been brought to our attention by the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance - besides the fact that there is such a thing as the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance - none has been so puzzling as the question JOPERD chewed over in its April symposium: "Is there a place for dodgeball in physical education?"

In most adult memories of P.E., dodgeball at its best represented a test of skill and derring-do, requiring speed, agility, and accurate throwing in the face of barely controlled chaos. At its worst, it meant a red rubber ball fired into your goo-loos or glasses, a minor indignity filed away with all the other petty humiliations of growing up, like forgetting your homework, or being forced to wear those itchy Christmas corduroys that Aunt Bea sent along with the pecan roll.

But the debate has rocked the community of dodgeball scholars right to its foundations. While plenty of educators still believe dodgeball is a harmless exhibition of physical prowess and cunning, not to mention fun, the sport's naysayers have banded together with the moral fervor of the Abolitionists. Already, their movement has succeeded in having dodgeball banned in school districts in at least eight states.....

To read the complete article go to:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/magazine/mag_6_39_01/labash_feat_6_39_01.asp

By Bill Turner on Friday, August 03, 2001 - 10:12 pm: Edit

I would love to let my PE students play dodgeball as a choice activity, but the potential for injury keeps me from it. I do use it as an occasional monotony-breaking activity for my wrestling team. I have never had a complaint in such a setting.

By Kelly Luter on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 07:29 am: Edit

The continual debate over whether or not to play dodge ball at the elementary level is of great interest to me. As a senior in the Kent State University Physical Education Program I feel that dodge ball has no place within physical education. After reading some of the postings, both for and against, I realized that the issue of dodge ball is being taken very personally among physical educators.
The physical education classroom should be a place that encompasses all children, as well as all levels of abilities. The ãgameä of dodge ball is not encompassing for all children, but rather those children who are at a higher skill level. Among the skills involved in dodge ball are throwing, quick reflexes, and accuracy. These three criteria are often not congruent with elementary physical education students. Due to this, the majority of elementary physical education students will fail to achieve the ãmany benefitsä that are so often discussed by pro-dodge ball advocates.
In addition to the physical damage that can occur due to dodge ball there is also the possibility for emotional harm. While I do not believe teachers can completely prevent emotional stress in our students, I do believe it is our job to minimize the negative that stress within our classroom.
It is my opinion that dodge ball lacks the positive aspects that should be present in a physical education environment.

By Diana Wickline on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 07:37 am: Edit

I am neutral on the dodge ball debate. As a physical education major at Kent State University, we are taught to never play dodge ball. However, as I go to the schools to observe, I have found that all of my mentors play dodge ball or a variation of it claiming that "All the students love it..." I agree with this fact, however, I also take into consideration the few that may not like it. I realize one of the major factors regarding dodge ball is that students are forced to sit out when hit, which causes a lot of inactivity. What if we made this more of a team oriented activity? Such as making it groups v. groups instead of one team v. another team? This may help with the inactivity problem. If anyone has any suggested variations, please let me know.

By gododgeball on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 08:04 am: Edit

What about football? Aren't the kids human targets too? You're intentionally trying to hurt someone to score. And for that matter, what about lacrosse or hockey where checking a fundamental part of the game? We might as well just dance for fun, with no contact(someone might pass germs).

By cathy on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 12:10 pm: Edit

Let' play dodgeball.

By Mary on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 01:15 pm: Edit

Have choice involved with the dodge ball activity. Team up with your teaching partner and create stations. The students who want to play the dodge ball activity could be in one station and other choices could be available for the students who don't like dodge ball.

By Susan on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 01:37 pm: Edit

I play dodgeball on a very limited bases, and it is nothing like the dodgeball of old. No one is elimated, everyone is active, and everyone is having fun!!

By stacie on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 02:19 pm: Edit

Teaching crazy middle school students, I have learned fast and HARD (to the head!!!) that there is a time and place to stop playing dodgeball. It is when students are out to kill, so to speak, and the game is no longer fun because you're worried about getting your head knocked off. Just because the balls are foam, doesn't mean they don't hurt others when thrown forcefully!

By Micah on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 11:10 pm: Edit

I think Dodgeball is a valuable resouce in school. It allows the students to practice throwing and catching techniques, as well as lateral movements.

By Kathy Norwood on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 01:41 pm: Edit

I teach elementary p.e. For some kids, it'a popular game by demand. I like all of the skills of throwing, catching, quick reflexes of act and react, and accuracy. But I have to agree with Steve Jefferies, I don't see it fit and fair for those overweight, slow moving, low skilled children. It's definitely a mixed debate! I don't believe I'd like to partake in that dodgeball game vs. the CWU baseball time! I believe that experience would shed some new light on the topic!

My suggestion for those dodgeball bound, could be to play the dodgeball game but bring in objects as the target focus. For example, in the game PIN DOWN, the goal is for the team to knock the opponent's 2 standing pins down to win the game. As for elimination, have only up to 2-3 people out. When those eliminated see their teammate catch the ball, they all come back in.

By Mark Ward on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 01:53 pm: Edit

When I play dodgeball, we have adapted it to be on scooters with large, softer nerf or gator balls. All competitors have to stay on the scooter and throw the ball with two hands. If you get hit, you go to the end of the line and do crunches, wall pushups, something. The first person in line then takes your scooter. There are not teams, and we have enough scooters so that only about 7-10 people are in line at a time. Everyone is active (check your pulse at the end of a good game of everlasting ball tag, as I call it), no bruises or black eyes.

By Lloyd on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:23 pm: Edit

I haven't had the opportunity of teaching dodgeball or any other activity yet, so I can't tell you about that. I do know when I was in school it was still allowed and I loved it. That is until I broke my nose from a shot in the face. I can see the trouble letting the kids play, from a safety view. But the activity involved movement and hand/eye coordination, throwing, catching. There are a lot of good points to the game. I guess I'm neutral.