In Physical Education, we did...
Tennis
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Volleyball
In P.E., we are doing volleyball in addition to jump rope. We are mixing the two subjects, because Ms. Cliff has other plans for the year. In volleyball, we had to learn how to serve, and how to react to a serve. When reacting to a serve, you need to put your palms over your head and spread out your fingers, making sure that the thumbs stick out. Then when the ball comes, you catch the volleyball with your thumb and pop it up a bit, to soften the fall. Then you throw it over the court and continue the game.
The one thing that interested me was that you don't use your hand to hit the ball. You used your forearms. When hitting the ball, you get into position, squeezing your hands together and making your arms go into a "V" formation. Instead of hitting it with your hands, you hit it with your forearms. Ms. Cliff says that this makes your aim go straighter, so it doesn't go off the court and count as a foul. In conclusion, learning volleyball the right way was fun, even though there were things that I didn't know about until now.
The one thing that interested me was that you don't use your hand to hit the ball. You used your forearms. When hitting the ball, you get into position, squeezing your hands together and making your arms go into a "V" formation. Instead of hitting it with your hands, you hit it with your forearms. Ms. Cliff says that this makes your aim go straighter, so it doesn't go off the court and count as a foul. In conclusion, learning volleyball the right way was fun, even though there were things that I didn't know about until now.
Jump Rope
Lately, we've been doing jump rope. Actually, it's jump rope mixed with volleyball, but the main thing is jump rope. We learned many different tricks, and we also learned how to pace ourselves.
In P.E., jump roping was entirely different than when I did it when I was little. I thought that all you had to do was just swing and jump, that's it. However, I soon learned many tricks that I could do, and we also learned to pace ourselves, like as if we were pacing when we were jogging. Jump roping is a really fun thing to do, even if it get tiring.
In P.E., jump roping was entirely different than when I did it when I was little. I thought that all you had to do was just swing and jump, that's it. However, I soon learned many tricks that I could do, and we also learned to pace ourselves, like as if we were pacing when we were jogging. Jump roping is a really fun thing to do, even if it get tiring.
Headstands
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In P.E., we've been doing handstands and headstands for gymnastics. I like the headstand easier, because it doesn't require any hard balancing. You just have to stand on your head and balance yourself.
First, you have to kneel on all fours, and make sure you can see your whole hand when putting your head down. Then you have to tuck your head in, align your elbows straight, and push yourself into a tripod. Then get your knees, and align them on top of your elbows, left knee with left elbow, right knee with right elbow. After you feel sturdy and balanced enough, slowly push your legs up and lock them straight. Avoid collapsig when trying to get back down. Instead, put one leg down at a time, and sit back up, unless you want to do it again.
This stand was a bit different but more easier than the headstand. They both have their differences and their likeness. For example, they both stand upside down, but the handstand requires balancing on your hands, while the headstand requires balancing on your head. I got the headstand the first time, but had more difficulty on the handstand, but I managed to get both of them the right way.
First, you have to kneel on all fours, and make sure you can see your whole hand when putting your head down. Then you have to tuck your head in, align your elbows straight, and push yourself into a tripod. Then get your knees, and align them on top of your elbows, left knee with left elbow, right knee with right elbow. After you feel sturdy and balanced enough, slowly push your legs up and lock them straight. Avoid collapsig when trying to get back down. Instead, put one leg down at a time, and sit back up, unless you want to do it again.
This stand was a bit different but more easier than the headstand. They both have their differences and their likeness. For example, they both stand upside down, but the handstand requires balancing on your hands, while the headstand requires balancing on your head. I got the headstand the first time, but had more difficulty on the handstand, but I managed to get both of them the right way.
Handstands
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In P.E., lately we've been doing handstands and headstands. In my opinion, handstands are more difficult because you have to balance with your hands instead of your head, and I think that the head is more sturdier.
First step you have to do is that you need to get on all fours, straighten your legs, kneel in your non-dominant leg, and push your dominant leg up and down, until you have enough momentum to balance yourself upside down, as seen on the picture in Step A.
Second, after you've balanced yourself upside down, try to keep yourself in balance as much as you can. Avoid collapsing on the floor when you get down.
Instead of collapsing, when trying to get down, put a leg down one at a time, the same way you started. You should be standing on all fours again, and then stand up, or when you want to try again, stand up and start all over.
When I first tried doing it, I was very unstable. I had a hard time getting upside down without falling. Once, I even accidently kicked my partner in the face when I was trying to get down! I was really sorry, and hopefully she forgot about it, but I have a feeling she won't. Anyway, after a while, me and my partner both took turns spotting each other, helping and giving each other advice on doing handstands. I got it all down, but my partner hasn't. So we're both still helping each other out, but we'll get the hang of it eventually.
First step you have to do is that you need to get on all fours, straighten your legs, kneel in your non-dominant leg, and push your dominant leg up and down, until you have enough momentum to balance yourself upside down, as seen on the picture in Step A.
Second, after you've balanced yourself upside down, try to keep yourself in balance as much as you can. Avoid collapsing on the floor when you get down.
Instead of collapsing, when trying to get down, put a leg down one at a time, the same way you started. You should be standing on all fours again, and then stand up, or when you want to try again, stand up and start all over.
When I first tried doing it, I was very unstable. I had a hard time getting upside down without falling. Once, I even accidently kicked my partner in the face when I was trying to get down! I was really sorry, and hopefully she forgot about it, but I have a feeling she won't. Anyway, after a while, me and my partner both took turns spotting each other, helping and giving each other advice on doing handstands. I got it all down, but my partner hasn't. So we're both still helping each other out, but we'll get the hang of it eventually.
Pace Training
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Today in P.E., we did pace training. Every Thursday is what we call "Fitness Day." Fitness Day is when we pace ourselves, so we don't get tired running around the field, which isn't working that well for me. Luckily, I have an "A," so I must be doing pretty well.
Ms. Cliff times us by 2 minutes and 30 seconds the first time, and the second time is when we pace ourselves and run 2 laps around the field. It's very tiring, but you'll get used to it and you will slowly improve. When we first began this, I was breathing hard right after my first lap! But as I keep doing it, I gradually improved, and now I don't breathe as hard as I did.
Ms. Cliff times us by 2 minutes and 30 seconds the first time, and the second time is when we pace ourselves and run 2 laps around the field. It's very tiring, but you'll get used to it and you will slowly improve. When we first began this, I was breathing hard right after my first lap! But as I keep doing it, I gradually improved, and now I don't breathe as hard as I did.
Gymnastics: Frog Stand
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Today in gymnastic, we tried to learn how to do a frog stand. It was very hard, and I didn't master it yet, however I DO know the steps.
First of all, you had to kneel down on all fours, head facing down, and palms placed on the floor, fingers spread as wide as possible. Next, let your knees hug the sides of your elbows, and make sure that your knees are on the OUTSIDE of the elbows, not in BETWEEN. Then slowly lift your dominant leg up, just to test it, and make sure to balance and stay steady as possible. Don't look up, just stay and balance yourself. Then, when you're balanced enough, lift your other leg, making both legs lift up and making you balance on your palms. If you can do it, then congratulations! If not, then practice a lot! Remember that practice makes perfect!
First of all, you had to kneel down on all fours, head facing down, and palms placed on the floor, fingers spread as wide as possible. Next, let your knees hug the sides of your elbows, and make sure that your knees are on the OUTSIDE of the elbows, not in BETWEEN. Then slowly lift your dominant leg up, just to test it, and make sure to balance and stay steady as possible. Don't look up, just stay and balance yourself. Then, when you're balanced enough, lift your other leg, making both legs lift up and making you balance on your palms. If you can do it, then congratulations! If not, then practice a lot! Remember that practice makes perfect!
Gymnastics
Right now in P.E., we're in the Gymnastics unit. In gymnastics, Ms Cliff makes us do stretch warm ups and run around the tennis court for 2 and a half minutes. We are barely starting how to do the front roll, the side way roll, and a handstand. Ms. Cliff says that stretches are really important in gymnastics. It helps us be more flexible so we won't be stiff when doing it. She also says that if we get advanced enough, we will be able to do more group activities, like a pyramid!