American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

 Issue: August 2008

Let’s Play Three on Three!
Jack Kern & Paul Calleja

Abstract:
Student involvement during game play at the elementary, middle, and high school levels was anecdotally examined over the course of nine years. Participation levels during games of basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and several other sports that were played during physical education class were observed. A student was considered involved if he or she touched the ball or other game object at least once every two minutes. A close observation of the data indicated that, regardless of the number of players on the field or court, the game essentially turned into three-on-three play. Games involving six or more participants per team resulted in 50 percent or more of the players being uninvolved. Thus, large-group play resulted in low participation levels. Teachers may stick to large-group games due to tradition, supervision concerns, or perceived lack of space, but this article provides practical ideas for utilizing small groups to increase student involvement rates.

Article category: Teaching