SES266 Debate

Spring 2018

Bre (Competent/Confident Movers for a Lifetime):

We of the negative team do not believe that traditional games, such as Duck-Duck Goose and Dodgeball should be
included in Physical Education.

We are all here, in this room, to become educators in quality physical education programs where we give our
students opportunities to learn, meaningful content, appropriate instruction and ongoing assessments that align
with state and national standards.

In order to do this, we must give our kids plenty of opportunities to practice their skills in a positive environment
where they can become competent and confident in their skills.

The activities and skills that we teach should be purposeful and give kids the knowledge and skills to be physically
active for a lifetime. Dodgeball and other traditional games do not create the positive environment that kids need
in physical education to grow their skills.

Dodgeball allows the skilled kids to become stronger, while the low skilled kids are targeted or out of the game
early, encroaching on their precious practice time to become more confident in their skills as stated by Connected
PE.

In addition, the students who have a physical advantage don't always use their advantage in a respectful manner.
Those in favor of traditional games like dodgeball may say that there is value to the skills used in the game such as
running, dodging, throwing and catching.

However, these skills can be developed in a way that does not focus on human targets. SHAPE America agrees that
dodgeball is not appropriate for K-12 physical education.

In fact, SHAPE America specifically states that "activities that allow all students to practice skills are more likely to
increase enjoyment of physical activity and promote physical literacy for students at all skill levels."