Playing Tag Gone too Far?

This morning when I was reading the paper before getting ready to head to the field, I came across an article with the headline "Va. Principal Bans Tag, says kids got too rough."

As you can imagine my initial response was 'what? are you serious?' But then I actually read the article that is posted below:

NOT IT!
Va. principal bans tag, says kids got too rough
MICHAEL ALISON CHANDLER
Washington Post

A playground pastime is getting a timeout this spring at a Virginia elementary school.
Robyn Hooker, principal of Kent Gardens Elementary in McLean, has told students they may no longer play tag during recess, after determining that the game of chasing and yelling "You're it!" had gotten out of hand. Hooker told parents in a letter this month that tag had become a game "of intense aggression."

She said that her goal is to keep students safe and that she hopes to restore tag (as well as touch football, also on hold) after teachers and administrators review recess policies.
The decision has touched off a debate among parents. Some call the restriction an example of overzealous rule-making that fails to address root problems; others say it's best to err on the side of caution.

Many schools nationwide have whittled down playground activities in response to concerns about injuries, bullying or litigation. Dodge ball is a thing of the past in many places, and contact sports are often limited at recess.

In most places, principals have considerable leeway to decide what is appropriate or safe recess behavior as they manage sometimes-large numbers of students in sometimes-small spaces. Kent Gardens, with more than 900 students, is over capacity. Hooker said the playground can get crowded.

Over the past couple of months, she had noticed that tag was sending too many students to the nurse's office.

"This is not the old-fashioned tag, where you could use two fingers and you would be `it' and move on to someone else," Hooker said, noting the game has become much more aggressive.
This tag involves grabbing people who do not necessarily know they are playing and possibly bumping them to the ground.

"Then the kids do `pyramiding' or `towering.' They pile on each other. (Sometimes) they call it `jailhouse' or `jailbreak,' " because the child has to break out, she said.

***********************************************
There are any number of opinionated reasons that I can list here as to what is going on in our school systems. These include first take a look at what is going on in the 'home' of these children and/or how is the 'environment' being designed at that school's recess area.

Whatever the reason, the school should provide some structured play during recess that allows children freedom to explore movement and play while at he same time providing boundries that keep everyone safe.

Here is a favorite tag game that I use when visiting local schools:
http://www.audioacrobat.com/playv/WQ28Qr1Q

I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions!

'Lean into the Turn'

By far the athlete above is the quickest I have ever worked with in twelve years. Actually he is one of the fastest as well, but his ability to change direction is scary.

One of the reasons that he can literally change direction on a dime is that he uses his inside leg to help decelerate his body and that he also leans into his turns.

Too many athletes struggle with changing directions and one of the first things I see is a postural fault. In other words, the athlete actually leans opposite they way they want to go.

Is it due to a weak core? Poor movement mechanics? Or something else? It's a combination of all of the above!

However, using the term 'lean into your turns' is a great way to get the athlete to feel their movement much better!