Students in Kindergarten are beginning 3 weeks of rehearsals for their Cultural Parade, but the 1st-4th grade students have all learned Tail Tag. In Tail Tag, students wear a belt into which they tuck a flag. That flag is the tail. There are a variety of versions, but all versions require that one or more students try to take the tail of other students. It is a tag game without actual tagging. This no-contact game may seem a counter-intuitive introduction to the very full-contact activity that is wrestling, but it requires the students to start thinking about protecting the space behind them; protecting their backs. It is also a litmus test to be sure that students carefully listen to and follow instructions. When students demonstrate safety and responsibility in the task, then they advance to Fox Tail. To date, about half the classes have made such progress. Fox Tail wears the same belts and keeps the same flag as a tail behind a student, but instead of students having run of the gym, they are confined to a single small mat. Retreat is no longer an option and there is nowhere to hide. One student faces-off against another student, and while remaining on their feet, and without grabbing the other body, the students attempt to reach around the opponent and pull the tail from the belt. Although there is no grabbing (no closed hands), arms and hands push and manipulate each other trying to solve the puzzle that is trying to solve them in return. A student who captures the tail returns it, the tail is tucked again into the belt, and a high-5 or hand shake resumes the game until time expires. Later versions of the game will allow a student to lie face down with the flag beneath the belly. The partner/opponent then must try to roll that student onto her/his back to get or at least expose the tail- an amazing way to explore and exercise core muscles. Yet another version does away with the tail altogether and the student lying tries to stand-up while the other student tries to roll her onto her back. Some of the classes that can successfully and safely accomplish all the above will then move onto wrestling.
Wrestling is an almost universal developmental experience among young primates and indeed among many other young mammals (puppies, cubs, kittens, and ferrets all wrestle). Wrestling and running are probably the first two activities that humans ever organized into sport. Running, wrestling, swimming, and climbing are activities that allow and encourage natural functions of the human form, and that is why I am excited to offer an introduction to wrestling this year in PE.
For safety, we will not go so far as executing take-downs or tackles (although some students may earn the chance to learn and slow-motion practice) and there is a zero-tolerance policy toward horse-play and inattention. Because of such high expectations and such low tolerance, this is generally a very safe unit of study. In years past, I have always had more bumps, bruises, or injuries during Tag Games than during Wrestling. But also because of the expectations and tolerances, and also because of the many uncertainties about the activity itself, I tend to contact more parents during wrestling than during any other activity. I am also at your disposal for any and all questions and concerns that you may have, so please do not hesitate to email me or schedule a conference.
Enjoy the Warming Weather,
Matthew Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment