Several recent reports have bemoaned the dwindling amount of time set aside for school sports and games. Meanwhile, education inspectors say students don't do enough strenuous physical activity in many of England’s school PE lessons. What kind of activities are they talking about?

  • Football
  • rugby
  • tennis
  • hockey
  • golf
  • netball
  • tag
  • archery

Many students feel a deep sense of longing for these and other secondary school games. Do you miss these activities too? Or are you glad for the step away from these active lessons? And what about that big school sports competition? Do you love it or hate it?

Plenty of kids like sports and playing games. They just don't like to play when these activities are regimented. Or when they're told what to do - shoot, score, run, hit, block and other such instructions, shouted from the sidelines. We want to look at the reasons why more and more students are not keen on dressing out and getting sweaty during PE class. And then, we'll talk about reasons you could avoid having to play.

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School Games - Everyone's Idea of Fun?

The latest statistics may upset some athletic people. Rain or shine, they would much rather be out on the field with their team. For them, being active far outweighs being sat with their nose in a book. How much fun is it for them to listen to the droning sound of an educational tape or - dare we say - their teacher's voice?

For other people, hearing that they don't have to play sports must be music to their ears. They would much rather stay indoors, in their comfort zone, listening to something instructive. Or maybe they prefer to create things? They might want to play musical instruments or draw their fave anime characters.

To each their own - at least, that's how it should be, right? But as we know, some kids love sports and some just can't get to grips with playing, even after years of primary school games. And speaking of kids... As a child, you probably didn't mind rugby on a muddy, soggy field. You might have played hockey on the pitch on a chilly winter's day. It probably didn't even bother you to get changed into your PE kit and having to get those legs out.

For some students, school games are simply a nightmare. Sadly for them, there are very few occasions when a PE teacher will let them get away with missing a session of football or tennis. They've heard excuse after excuse. They've seen forged letters from parents and doctors.

When it comes to ditching PE classes, teachers have seen it all! They are often tough nuts to crack; unyielding in their insistence to play and unforgiving of trickery. But what if we told you there might well be just a few excuses you could come up with that might sway them? All in good humour, of course, because your teachers will only ever fall for these once, if at all.

A game of netball in progress with the team wearing black having just scored while the team wearing red has one player on the floor.
Even a game of netball can induce anxiety if you weren't picked for a team. Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash

If Only PE Could Be...

Primary school kids don't mind PE. We might go so far as to say that they'd rather play these games than sit at their desks. And it's okay that they have to change clothes, too. Young children are still in tune with the concept of play clothes, school clothes, clothes for sleeping and so on. The only reason they might get mad is when playtime ends.

That's a common complaint for older students, too. As far as they're concerned, there's no sense in changing clothes just to play for less than an hour. And for all that, they might not even get their chance to play. More than one player has complained that all they do is mill around on the sidelines, waiting their turn. And then, they have to change back into their uniforms and return to sitting in class.

For young kids, there's no such thing as 'having' to play. First, it's class time, then it's lunchtime and then it's playtime - or some variation thereof. That's just the order of things. By the time students hit secondary school, though, they're wise to this 'having to' nonsense.

These students know they have to go to school and they're mostly fine with that. But they've realised that participation is optional - or, at least, selective. When all is said and done, GCSE marks matter the most, not course work. So if they're not planning to sit GCSE Physical Education, they know they have no reason to break a sweat in PE class.

Truth be told, though, most students probably wouldn't mind playing games if they were treated like games. But too often, there's simply too much scrutiny and too much criticism to play with wild abandon. PE teachers base their marks in part on how good students are at playing specific games. Presumably, to help players boost their performance, teachers shout instructions, which serves to distract the players.

Students might not have any specific complaint to lodge against a teacher. Simply telling your head that 'Teacher keeps shouting at me' probably won't go over well. Likewise, many students resent having to play games to earn their marks in PE. That's not really the point of games but it's also no grounds for complaint. So, these players simply decide to sit out the games. If they can.

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Risking One's Standing

The previous segment lists all pragmatic, intellectual reasons why students often don't enjoy playing games in PE. Now, let's talk about personal reasons students often don't want to participate. They're no mystery; you only need to think back to your time in school. These reasons are both universal and perennial.

Were you the kid who always got picked first for team sports, or were you the absolute last draft? Pushing kids to pick their teammates teaches students that selecting people for group inclusion according to personal preferences is perfectly acceptable. We see what happens in the real world when that practice is allowed free rein. People are 'othered', denied equality based on superficial characteristics, and rejected because they don't conform.

And the person left out of the game? They learn,  in no time flat, that they'll never get a fair shot at the ball. If they ever are allowed into the circle, it's because the favoured players were forced to let them in. Meanwhile, they must endure the isolation and humiliation of standing on the sidelines, watching the others play. Unless they're particularly athletic and/or popular, what student would risk that trauma?

Golf, archery and tennis, are not team sports. So we don't need to worry about not getting chosen, right? Except for doubles in tennis, maybe. These activities give less gifted students another dose of humiliation. Speaking from personal experience... I've never had good hand-eye coordination. I can't even play video games; my hands fail to manipulate the controllers properly. Sure, I can hit a tennis ball, and pretty powerfully, at that. But where it goes is a crapshoot.

For students like me, lacking the necessary physical skills, playing games is anxiety-provoking. Even single-person activities like archery are an open invitation for mockery. I can't tell you how many times I've heard laughter as my arrow sailed right past the target. And the burning shame of bringing home yet another low mark at the term's end...

It's not like I could make myself heard. Nobody wanted to listen as I begged to not be so tortured, yet again. Who knows if those deaf ears caused my changing room nerves? Both of those are reasons students would rather not risk PE participation. And there's one final discriminating factor why students don't want to take to the field.

It's money. PE kit costs a lot of money and the list of needed items isn't short. Some schools require two pairs of trainers; one for indoors and one for outdoor activity. Two or more of each article of clothing, perhaps with the school's crest sewn on. Maybe students have to provide their own equipment, too. Tennis racquets, golf balls or arrows... Sometimes, students don't want to participate in sports simply because their families can't afford the extra cost.

A cold morning, with trees shrouded in ice and frost covering the meadow at sunrise.
Waking up to this is well and nice but it doesn't make you fancy going out on a field to do sport... or does it? Photo credit: hannes-flo on Visual Hunt

10 Reasons Why Your Sports Teacher May Let You Off Of Doing PE

For some students, PE classes present a sorry state of affairs as they look to assert their sporting prowess. But for those who don't enjoy cross-country runs on crisp February mornings, the state of affairs could stand to get a lot sorrier. The government kicked into action by introducing a revised PE curriculum aimed at putting competitive sports back at the heart of school life. Yikes!

So, for those of you who’d rather run a bath than run a mile, I’ve compiled a list of ten excuses to have up your sleeve. Whether tongue-in-cheek or absolutely earnest, you can use these when you just aren’t up for the cup. Just don’t take it too literally folks. And if you do have a real issue with sports, such as the ones listed above, you and your parents should take it up with the school's administrators.

1. Wardrobe Malfunction

This is the standard, go-to excuse for anyone looking to dodge games or sports day. Forgetting your kit or leaving it on the bus (accidentally, of course) could see you warming your tush on the sidelines. Meanwhile, your chums chase eggs on a hard frosted patch of bare earth.

Be warned though – sometimes forgetting your kit just won’t cut it. Teachers intent on every student playing could force you to strip down to the classic vest/pants combo. That would leave little protection from the elements (and the merciless ribbing from your mates). Worse still, you may be marched to the dreaded spare kit cupboard to find a suitable get-up. What could you expect to find in a hotchpotch collection of stinky shoes, high-riding shorts and odd socks? I don't know which option is worse!

2. Injury

Feigning an injury is easy, but you’ve got to do it well if you want to pull it off. You also have to show that you couldn't possibly compete in a contact sport. That means that, first, you have to create the impression of injury and then, engage in a bit of performance art.

You could get creative with bandages, plasters and any accessories you can find. Limps, crutches, casts and muscle supports all give weight to your sob story. But if you really want to go with the twisted ankle tale, you'll have to start days in advance to come across as genuine. Nobody will buy that you twisted it just 10 mins before PE period!

Try to appeal to the Gym teacher’s heart. If you’re trying to get out of football, for example, try saying you picked up the injury playing county-level football. Or that you were making a match-winning goal save in an earlier game. They’ll possibly feel a pang of sympathy and be pleased to hear you are dedicated to sports outside of school.

If you’re really up against it and need a fix pretty pronto then remember: only a true friend will bloody your nose on request. Is that going too far? You might try smashing your nose on your own...

3. Sickness

You'll need a decent amount of acting skill and dexterity with a make-up brush if you want to convince teachers that you’re contagious. Get down to the nearest joke shop and stock up on fake scars, fake blood, and latex to create that authentic peeling skin look. Oh, if only you could earn your PE marks for this performance!

Rope in some arty mates and see what you can come up with. Chances are, anyone who teaches PE isn’t going to want to take a sick note from your scaly hand. Let alone allow you to nestle into the scrum… Of course, the trusted snotty nose might do the trick and save you all the hassle.

An orange, yellow and white open box of tissue with one tissue sticking out.
Your teacher won't want the responsibility of making you feel worse or infecting your peers! Photo on Visualhunt.com

4. Diet Issue

Have you ever noticed how swimming lessons are cannily scheduled to avoid being near lunchtime? Teachers know that you shouldn’t swim straight after eating for fear of a ... accident. Try saying your special dietary requirements means you have to eat at certain times of the day (and woe is you that just happened to be right before the lesson). Clutch your tummy and chuck in an occasional urge for added effect. They wouldn't exactly want carnage in the swimming pool now, would they!

5. Science

Youth obesity is a hot topic in this day in age. The wobbly epidemic that started in US food halls has spread like hot butter on a scone to the fair shores of Blighty. For this excuse to fly, it's time to pull the wool over the gym teacher’s eyes.

Tell them you’re conducting a science experiment. You have to spend a week avoiding exercise and eating junk food to measure the result on the human body. Sit back, relax and stuff your face while the rest of the class huffs and puffs their way through an hour of exercise. It's worth a shot, especially if you can produce a convincing doctor's note!

6. Religion

Thou shalt not worship false deities, so the commandment goes. Well, yeah you can. Stick your thinking cap on and come up with a name for a new religion. When game time comes around, calmly inform Teach that your new-found faith forbids you from taking part in competitive sports. Try to look insulted when they question your god. But only if you don't insult their intelligence first and foremost by cracking out this cheeky excuse.

7. Eyewear

Losing or breaking your glasses is surely enough to render you benched come game time, right? That pudding can never be over-egged! Stumble around with arms outstretched, bump into things and talk to inanimate objects. Make sure your teacher knows that coordination is impossible without your wire-framed focals. Probably only going to work for the already-bespectacled brethren.

If you're not among that group, you could invest in an eyepatch. They're relatively inexpensive and very easy to wear. You may then moan about an eye infection or lazy-eye correction. Like the injury excuse, this one takes commitment. You can't just put on a patch 10 minutes before PE.

8. Allergies

Did you know that grass pollen is known to cause a variety of different allergic reactions such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and asthma? You do now. Saying you’re allergic to grass pretty much covers you for the long summer of competitive sports. But it might see you quarantined in the school all day, too. Even at break times, for your safety, of course. Whatever you do, don't get caught eating a banana. They're in the grass family; eating that fruit could wash away your allergy excuse.

9. Fear

If the allergy excuse isn’t getting you anywhere there are plenty of freaky phobias to fall back on. Break out the long words like Auctoritasophobia (fear of authority figures i.e teachers), Aquaphobia (no swimming for you) or Rupophobia (fear of mud and dirt). Sod it – go the whole hog and pull out the ace in the pack! Scopophobia (fear of being observed) could seal it once and for all.

You might even find that by the time the teachers looked up all your fancy terms in the dictionary then it'll be time to pack up. You can dream! Now, last but not least...

10. Smoke

There's no smoke without fire, don't they say? What if there's no smoke to begin with? Fire alarms don't care.

Pretty risky this, given the amount of trouble you can get into for deliberately setting off a fire alarm. Consider this definitely the last-ditch tactical diversion. You really want to make this one look like an accident. A well-placed free kick or a ‘clumsy stumble’ could accidentally set off the alarm without the need for arson. With all the kerfuffle and excitement that goes with the fire bell routine, there’ll be no time for games.

Beware of using this one. There are likely to be repercussions, not to mention being stuck outside in the cold. And the school authorities will certainly try to find the guilty culprit. Make sure you use it only as a tool of last resort.

A woman wearing blue shorts and marathon number on a grey tee-shirt smiles as runs on a dirt path ahead of other runners.
Taking part in school games could get you fired up for sports later in life. Photo on Visualhunt

One BIG Reason to Not Come Up With Excuses on Games Day

All jokes aside, have you considered stepping out of your comfort zone? Maybe giving school games another go rather than writing each PE lesson off for the rest of the term? And being a team player when it comes to the school sports day, when you have agreed to run in the relay team?

You may not be the best defender, the strangest shooter, the fastest runner or even the longest jumper. But do you really think our nation's athletes were born with their athletic abilities? Of course not! The reason they got so good was most likely because they got active and they enjoyed it. Along with a bit of natural flair, granted.

Take Mo Farah, for instance. His physical education teacher spotted this runner's talent during a PE class. Mo's gone on to earn 10 gold medals; four in the Olympics and six for winning World competitions. Just imagine if he had declined to participate in PE!

You don't have to be the best. You don't always have to be the winner. You can still set personal goals even if you do finish a race last.

Just go out there and do sports for yourself; for your own reasons. Try to enjoy the time spent outside, away from the books. You could focus on having a laugh with your friends and teammates. You can think about how you're benefiting from some fresh air. And you can challenge yourself to do better - better than other students or better than your past performances.

If, indeed, one of the more serious issues affects your ability to participate in sports, try to talk to your teacher about it. If it's about money, they may point you to where you can find vouchers and other financial help. If you're subject to much humiliation, talk the matter over with the school counsellor or, if needed, an outside therapist. They will give you the tools you need to build your self-confidence.

And possibly a note excusing you from PE class until you're sure you'll not just endure but thrive. See? You can find positive aspects of sports participation. Sports aren't that bad, if you could only give them a try. And if you're not good at one, try another. There's always cycling, rowing, swimming, weightlifting...

There you have it. A close look at why students want to ditch sports all the time. Plus, ten great excuses for getting out of school sports and games, all lined up and ready to go (home). And one really great reason to not bother with any lame excuses. To just get stuck in. Which path will you follow?

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Jon

As an Englishman in Paris, I enjoy growing my knowledge of other languages and cultures. I'm interested in History, Economics, and Sociology and believe in the importance of continuous learning.