Chapter 7: Equipment and Safety Concerns Plato’s Physical Education: A guide to teaching physical education at all levels and in all environments.

Safety Planning for the safety of the students in the MOST important aspect of any teacher Especially in Physical Education We use “weapons” Must plan accordingly for safety

Planning for equipment Can be … Purchased Donated Adapted (from previous equipment) Made Must have a plan for equipment Use it multiple ways Where to store it / how to take care of it Know how much is needed of each piece

Purchasing Where to purchase from Storage Cost Several great locations (see table 7.1) Storage Location and organizers Cost Do you really need 20, or can you just get 10? Discounts for buying more Free shipping if you buy over $X of equipment

Old equipment Hand-me-downs from others Sports teams might buy new equipment Fitness centers may buy new equipment Other schools upgrade equipment Trades with others for your un-used equipment Could be free, or great discounts Make sure it is not damaged if you want to buy it. Get rid of the old / damaged equipment

Using equipment is a variety of ways One piece of equipment can be used for several different activities Playground balls Soccer Basketball Bowling Table 7.2

Making equipment Can you make something similar that will still work? It will cost a lot less It might get you a lot more equipment One for each students vs 2-5 people sharing one Examples Hula hoops (PVC pipe and inside connectors) Frisbees (clothes hangers and panty-hose) Buddy walkers (2x4’s and rope)

Storing equipment Room Containers Tracking equipment Near the gym? Can you / students get to it easily? How big is it? Containers What will they hold? How much? Mesh bags Milk Crates Tracking equipment Have a master list Keep it updated

Safety issues #1 job – Keep the students safe Be aware of the types of equipment used Address safety in class before equipment is used MUST have rules about safety And must be strictly enforced

Classes with safety issues Gun safety Includes gun Where to point How to hold Archery Pointing the arrow Loading the arrow Retrieving the arrow

Classes with safety issues Rock Climbing / rappelling Climber / rappeller Belayer (Holding the rope Pool / swimming Deck Diving boards In the water Under the water

Other safety concerns Games where mistakes happen Throwing a ball Not looking when it is thrown Bad throws Racquets Tennis Badminton Sticks Floor hockey Baseball bat

Damaged equipment Splinters Broken items that can snap Holes in racquets Use equipment as it is meant to be used

Management Make a plan to limit potential issues No equipment until needed Position yourself well (see all students) Limit down time between activities Rules for equipment Always positive Don’t give them ideas of how to be bad Discipline for things done wrong

Activities Proper spacing can help limit potential injuries Be far enough away when something is swung. Walking in between those active Start and stopping points Not the baseline Students will run into the wall Use free throw line to start slowing down.

Form Always stress proper form Not looking at overall result Lack of form can cause injury Not looking at overall result MLB pitchers do not throw with proper biomechanics Usually end up having Tommy John Surgery Look at form over all else Leads to longer, safer time in activity

Final Thought It is better to have a day where little is learned, but everyone is safe, than to have to send a student to the hospital and everyone else learns a lot.