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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.