Physical Education & Health

Mamaroneck High School

Physical Education

The physical education program at Mamaroneck High School is designed to help students develop an understanding and appreciation of the values of fitness and wellness through physical activity. The course offerings provide an opportunity for students to be exposed to a wide variety of individual and team activities.

To enable you to participate in many different activities, the physical education department offers six sections per year and the following individual and team activities:

Individual Sports:

Aerobic Fitness: Students engage in various types of aerobic activity such as Tae Bo, Step exercises, dance routines and basic circuit training. Students also have the opportunity to create their own dance routines and exercise routines. Again the focus is on students learning an activity they can utilize for the remainder of their lives.
Archery: This course will introduce students to the basic skills of archery. Techniques in shooting, targeting, scoring and safety are emphasized in this unit. Mini tournaments and intramurals are conducted during regular class time as well as at the end of each unit.
Badminton: Students are taught basic stroke skills, including the serve, as well as the proper rules of singles and doubles competition. Team play, communication and developing strategies are also covered and mini tournaments (singles & doubles) are held at the end of each unit. Inter-class badminton intramurals are also held during the final week of classes.
Cardio Kickboxing:
It may be time to kick your way to one of the hottest workouts around. Kickboxing, also referred to as boxing aerobics and cardio kickboxing, is a hybrid of boxing, martial arts and aerobics that offers an intense cross-training and total-body workout. It blends a mixture of high-power exercise routines that strengthen the body and mind, decrease stress and hone reflexes while increasing endurance and cardiovascular power. While kickboxing's roots are in full-contact fighting, it has found a safe and very effective niche in the fitness community.

Many people are drawn to kickboxing because it increases self-esteem while burning an average of 500 to 800 calories an hour, as opposed to the 300 to 400 calories typically burned by the average hour long step aerobics class. But before you kick down the door to the next class, take time to consider some of the basics of this sweat-intensive workout.

Basic Moves and Equipment:

It may seem awkward at first, but the basic moves in a kickboxing class can be mastered with time, patience and practice. A prepared class will have mirrors, a punching or "heavy" bag and hit pads for participants to use. Here are two basic lower-body kickboxing moves that work the hamstrings, gluteals, and quardriceps:

The Roundhouse Kick - Starting from a basic stance (side of body facing bag, knees slightly bent, shoulder-length apart), lift your right knee and point it just to the right of your target. Pivot on your left foot as you extend your right leg. Kick the target with the top of your foot.

The Side Kick - From the basic stance, pull your right knee up toward your left shoulder. Pivot on your left foot as you snap your right leg into your target. Strike with either the outside edge of your foot or your heel.

Golf: Instruction in proper grip technique, proper swing technique and hitting a golf ball are covered. Basic match strategy is introduced and expanded upon as the unit progresses. Students will also learn the basics behind club selection and shot selection.
Project Adventure: Students are exposed to a wide variety of team games, each designed for one or two classes. Games include soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, Frisbee and football. This class may also include Project Adventure activities, which are cooperative games that build on concepts such as teamwork, self-discipline, trust communication and determination.
Personal Fitness: This course introduces the fitness room to our students and serves as an orientation to all 9th grade students and new students. Basic components of fitness are covered along with instruction on all cardiovascular and Nautilus weight machines. Students are given instruction in all aspects of fitness and encouraged to develop their own fitness program by the end of the unit. Hopefully students will use this fitness knowledge to promote a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutrition.
Pickleball: This activity is a cross between tennis and badminton. In this class students will learn the rules of this unique game as well as learn the basic skills or serving, forehand & backhand shots, and volleying. Students will also compete in singles and doubles matches and tournaments during class time and at the conclusion of each unit.
Table Tennis: Students learn all aspects of singles and doubles play in table tennis, popularly known as "ping pong". Instruction in scoring, serving, forehand and backhand strokes, plus strategies regarding singles and doubles play is covered. Emphasis is placed on proper courtesy, sportsmanship and fair play. Students are encouraged to view this activity as one that can be played for a lifetime.
Yoga: An introduction to simple yoga postures, stretches and breathing techniques. Students will become familiar with the benefits of learning and practicing these movements (muscle tone, flexibility, etc.) in an effort to promote an activity for life-long learning.

Team Sports:

Basketball: Students are introduced to all aspects of the game of basketball (offensively and defensively). Emphasis is placed on the use of proper defensive skills and rebounding along with the offensive skills of shooting, passing and dribbling. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on team play whereby students learn to officiate their own games properly with fair play and sportsmanship.
Field Hockey: This course offering is divided into two components. Students spend half the unit learning the offensive skills (passing, shooting, dribbling, etc.) and defensive skills (stick checking, deflections, etc.) pertaining to field hockey, while the 2nd half of the unit extends and correlates these skills to the game of floor hockey. Emphasis is given to the safety factors involved in both sports. Good sportsmanship and fair play prevail at all times during these classes.
Floor Hockey: This course offering is divided into two components. Students spend half the unit learning the offensive skills (passing, shooting, dribbling, etc.) and defensive skills (stick checking, deflections, etc.) pertaining to field hockey, while the 2nd half of the unit extends and correlates these skills to the game of floor hockey. Emphasis is given to the safety factors involved in both sports. Good sportsmanship and fair play prevail at all times during these classes.
Lacrosse: Students learn the basic skills of throwing, catching, cradling, pick-ups and stick checking. Game strategies like the give 'n' go, offensive plays and defensive transitions are all discussed. Basic rules of the game are also covered leading up to actual game play.
Soccer: This unit introduces the basic skills of soccer such as passing, dribbling and shooting. Team play, strategies, sportsmanship and fair play are also emphasized. Mini tournaments are conducted according to class makeup and ability, particularly at the conclusion of each unit.
Softball:
Team Games: Students are exposed to a wide variety of team games, each designed for one or two classes. Games include soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, Frisbee and football. This class may also include Project Adventure activities, which are cooperative games that build on concepts such as teamwork, self-discipline, trust communication and determination.
Touch Football: Students are introduced to all facets of touch football, both offensively and defensively, including basic game strategies. Skill development includes throwing, catching and kicking the football. Other areas of focus include proper self-control and sportsmanship in an effort to promote the students' self regulation of their own game situations.
Ultimate Frisbee: This unit introduces the basic skills of Frisbee such as throwing, passing, catching and defending. Team play, strategies, sportsmanship and fair play are also emphasized. Mini tournaments are conducted according to class makeup and ability, particularly at the conclusion of each unit.
Volleyball: Basic skills of the underhand (bump) pass, overhand set and serving are taught. Rules of the game, some strategies as well as team cooperation, sportsmanship and fair play are covered. Mini tournaments are held within each class, culminating with a class-wide, multiple day tournament to conclude the unit.

You must successfully complete eighteen units or activities over four years to graduate. Generally, you will complete six activities as a Freshman, three activities and Health as a Sophomore and nine activities during your Junior and Senior years. Juniors and Seniors may substitute participation in an interscholastic sport (Athletic Option) or an outside sport activity (Outside Agency) for up to six physical education units. To be eligible for either program, you must complete nine units by the conclusion of your Sophomore year.

Course Requirements:

Physical education is required for graduation. Each student needs 18 units and a minimum of 12 units must be completed in the required activity program. A unit is credited when a student receives a passing grade in a PE activity course or successfully completes a sports season in the Athletic Option program.
Students may not receive credit for physical education activities and the Athletic Option at the same time. The exception to this applies to students who are making up units or require greater flexibility in academic scheduling.
No student may receive credit for more units that they are eligible for in a given year. The exception to this applies to students who are behind units.
Students will be permitted to complete a maximum of 14 units by the end of their junior year. Any student participating in three sports will be allowed to accumulate 15 units.
Any missed classes in Physical Education must be made up in order to receive full credit for the section. Effective immediately all make-ups must be satisfied prior to the end of the semester in which the missed classes were held. Failure to make up missed classes will result in a failing grade. Make up classes are available by appointment with your Physical Education teacher.

See your physical education counselor with any questions

Health

Health and Family Living explores various issues that are related to your physical, emotional and social well being. You will study many topics including mental health, communication skills, stress, suicide, human sexuality, dating, date rape, disease, substance abuse, nutrition and safety.

The goal of this course is to assist you in evaluating your health behaviors so you will have the tools necessary to make educated personal decisions. Through discussions and other activities, you will explore different health issues which will enable you to clarify your behavior, ideas and beliefs.

All tenth graders are required by the New York State Department of Education to take health. The course is graded and your grade is included in your grade point average.

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