Article from Coach Rutherford's Boot Camp newsletter

The NEW Physical Education- My A$
by Coach M. Rutherford
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I became very distressed the other evening.

In a rare moment of television viewing I turned on REAL SPORTS hosted by Bryant Gumble. The HBO program always does a nice job of coverage on a variety of sports related topics.

The final topic of the evening was on The NEW Physical Education (P.E.)

While I was sleeping, there has been a transformation in our country as to how we are educating our young people on what constitutes physical education.

At risk, if not already extinct, are playground games like tag (too much touching), high fives, a pat on the back, or an embrace for a job well done. On the fringe if not gone are physical fitness norms. I think you can walk 30 minutes a day and receive the once coveted Presidents Physical Fitness patch.

The idea of dodge ball is simply barbaric to these folks. "Somebody is going to be singled out in dodge ball. Somebody is going to lose and come in last."

If that sounds foreign to you then get this. Musical chairs is also out with the NEW P.E. If someone does not move quickly enough to snag a chair when the music stops they feel badly.

You only need to drive by a local elementary, middle school, high school, shopping mall or fast food establishment to see the dreadful condition of our young people. Is this the output of the NEW P.E.? If so then give me back my tax dollars.

A curriculum full of maypole dancing, knot tying, and ballroom dancing is woefully inadequate for the physical development and hardening of a young person.

What are we doing to prepare these kids for their first setback in the real world?

If these kids never experience defeat going through the process of picking themselves up by the boot straps then what are they going to do? Quit?
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