![\"Sport](\"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sports-Week1.jpg\")
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Did you know SHAPE America\u2019s <\/a>National Physical Education and Sport Week is May 1-7? The month of May is also National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.<\/a>\u00a0This special week is a great time to encourage both children and adults to try new activities in physical education and raise awareness about the importance of being active. PE teacher Justin Cahill shares a few great\u00a0activities that he uses in his class that combine cooperation, fitness, and a touch of friendly competition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>My students love this cooperative activity based on a game called Alaskan Kickball.<\/p>\n THE OFFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n The kicking team lines up on the sideline, much like they would in a baseball or softball game. The difference is each kicker has a 6\u201d aerobic step<\/a>. Rather than simply standing while waiting for a turn to kick, each offensive player must perform step-ups or jump-ups on his aerobic step. Each student can choose his own pace.<\/p>\n The ball is placed on home plate. The kicker kicks the ball in any direction. Instead of running bases, the kicker must run along the first baseline to retrieve a small plastic ball<\/a> from a bucket. He returns the ball to a second bucket placed near home plate. The kicker continues to retrieve balls, one at a time, until the fielding team records an out.<\/p>\n THE DEFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n Once the ball is kicked, a defender quickly fields the ball. \u00a0The rest of the fielding team must immediately file behind the player with the ball.\u00a0 As the line is taking shape, players pass the ball in an over and under pattern (over the first player\u2019s head, under the legs of the second player, etc.). Each defender MUST touch the ball.\u00a0 When the ball reaches the last person in line, the kicker is out.\u00a0 If the kicker is holding a ball when the out is recorded, it is counted toward the score.<\/p>\n Once the entire kicking team has kicked, both teams switch roles. The kicking team\u2019s points are tallied and the balls are returned to the original bucket.<\/p>\nCooperative Kickball with Aerobic Steps to Maximize Movement<\/strong><\/h2>\n