Old School PE: What Were They Thinking?
Tue Dec 23 2025
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Welcome back PE Nation!
Today I revisit the PE practices many of us grew up with—public showers, shirts versus skins, elimination games, captains’ picks—and show how small changes create safer, more inclusive classes. Stories from the 70s and 80s meet modern fixes that keep kids moving without shame.
• why public showers and rigid swimming norms erode psychological safety
• how pinnies replace shirts versus skins without fuss
• designing re-entry rules so elimination games keep everyone active
• small-sided games to increase touches and learning
• equitable team formation without public ranking
• reframing fitness testing toward growth, not humiliation
• safer alternatives to risky legacy games
• what to keep from tradition and what to retire
Let's keep the good stuff and do away with the bad,
Dave
-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.
-Article on Outside PE Checklist
-Team Building Games Ebook (with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095
-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies
-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback
-Paperback or download: HERE
-Amazon Ebook: HERE
Support the show
Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/385837/support
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Send us a text Welcome back PE Nation! Today I revisit the PE practices many of us grew up with—public showers, shirts versus skins, elimination games, captains’ picks—and show how small changes create safer, more inclusive classes. Stories from the 70s and 80s meet modern fixes that keep kids moving without shame. • why public showers and rigid swimming norms erode psychological safety • how pinnies replace shirts versus skins without fuss • designing re-entry rules so elimination games keep everyone active • small-sided games to increase touches and learning • equitable team formation without public ranking • reframing fitness testing toward growth, not humiliation • safer alternatives to risky legacy games • what to keep from tradition and what to retire Let's keep the good stuff and do away with the bad, Dave -Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward. -Article on Outside PE Checklist -Team Building Games Ebook (with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095 -Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies -High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback -Paperback or download: HERE -Amazon Ebook: HERE Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/385837/support