OK, so gym class pretty much rules, but even I—the Ave—can admit that it’s not for everyone. Like, in your academic classes, you just sit there and unless you’re my friend Charlotte, you can do so without major injury or embarrassment.
But, P.E. is a whole different story. There are plenty of reasons why a girl might get nervous about gym class. So, I’m here to break it down and help you ACE phys. ed!
ATTIRE Gym certainly isn’t a fashion show (no matter WHAT Maeve says), but you def want to be comfortable and confident during gym class. I’m usually in shorts, a tee-shirt, and sneakers, but I know a lot of girls who like to wear yoga pants or sweatpants and long-sleeve tee-shirts to gym. My only rule when it comes to P.E. fashion is to remember to bring your clothes home to WASH them. Wrinkly, smelly shirts aren’t cool.
ATTITUDE If you LOVE gym and love participating, you’re OK. But, if you don’t like gym, standing around with your arms crossed and your hip stuck out isn’t going to make it any better. Believe it or not, but if you’re tired, bored, cranky, whatever… adjust the ‘tude and get moving! It’ll actually make you feel better—I promise.
AVOID Three words: Gym Class Warriors. These are the kids who take gym WAY too seriously. Like, they’re willing to injure themselves or others to show off how athletic they are. Whatever. Set a good example by being a good sport—let everyone take a turn, don’t hog the ball, and don’t let the outcome of the game cause you to brag or get upset.
GAME TIME! Not everyone is good at ALL sports, so no one expects you to be. But, you don’t want to just stand there like a lamppost! So, here are some tips on basic moves YOU can do during class to participate!
Vollyball This game is a fave among gym teachers, probably because it’s pretty simple. However, players have to rotate positions, which means it’ll be your turn to serve the ball eventually. Don’t panic! Here’s what you do:
• Get a good stance with your feet, one in front of the other with knees slightly bent.
• If you are right-handed, hold the volleyball out in front of you in your left hand (switch these instructions if you are left-handed).
• Make a fist with your right hand.
• Swing your right fist underhand (like bowling a bowling ball) and hit the ball out of your left hand with the inside of your wrist. That’s basically all there is to it!
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Basketball I love basketball, and I don’t care what people say about the vertically challenged (aka, short people), I’m pretty good at it! So, I can teach you a thing or two about shooting a jump shot:
• Hold the ball in both hands and turn your body directly toward the basket.
• Spread the fingers of your dominant hand (whichever one you write with) over the ball and support the ball from underneath with your other hand.
• Bend your elbows up so that the basketball is by your neck.
• Jump up in the air with your legs together and push the ball up and toward the basket using your dominant hand.
• You’ll have to practice this one, but a jump shot should feel like one motion. Swish!
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Soccer It’s pretty easy to kick a soccer ball, but it’s harder to get it off the ground and to where you want it to go. Here’s my guide:
• Jog toward the ball and plant the foot you are not kicking with about six inches away from the ball.
• Point that foot in the direction you want the ball to go.
• Bring your other foot back to wind up, and then kick the ball right at the center. You should kick the ball not with your toes, but with the top part of your foot near your shoelaces.
• To practice getting the ball into the air, try to get your foot under the ball as you kick it. Also, try leaning back a bit when you kick.
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Rope Climb I know Katani hates it when it’s rope-climbing day in gym. She’s not too crazy about heights, and it’s hard for her to get up. Luckily, I LOVE climb ropes! Here’s what I told Katani:
• Reach up and grab the rope with both hands above your head.
• Pull down on the rope and bend your knees toward your chest to get off the ground.
• Wrap one leg around the rope and pinch the rope between both feet. This will help you stay in place and not slide down.
• Try to straighten your knees as much as possible and reach up as high as you can to grasp the rope tightly in both hands.
• Bring your legs up and wrap your leg around the rope. Repeat the process. When you reach the top, remember not to slide down! Rope burn can HURT!
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the comment above? VOTE!
. I didn't know so I was so sad. Nobody saw, but for some reason my eyes teared up. And I"m not exactly a sporty girl, I'm very sensitive. I had to keep saying "athletes don't cry". But nobody saw. To get my eyes, to stop crying I finished a full water bottle. I was so glad no one besides my mom saw me. I am so glad my crush wasn't even there!!!!! 
