Frequently in WJPS gym class, rather than using the actual ball, net, paddle, or puck, a soft squishy ball that doesn’t at all reflects the weight of the real thing is used. In some cases, a gentle paddle that doesn’t illustrate the danger of the actual sport is also used. 

Why are those things important? 

First, the substitute balls: sports like cricket and team handball have much harder and heavier balls than what students at WJPS are given when it comes time to practice. The problem with that is what happens when a student wants to play the sport or has already played? 

A WJPS senior who has played cricket, Hamza Ariyan, said, “It was so hard to get used to the lighter ball. It’s so much more different than the real thing.”

Secondly, the much different quality of the equipment. Soft nets, gentle cones, lenient rules all contribute to a misunderstanding of how a game is played and fail to input the sense of danger that comes with most sports. This seems to be the reason why some students are so reckless in the gym. 

Another senior, Trinity Andujar, who participates in some of the most violent games of handball in gym class, said, “No one cares about the rules until it’s to their convenience.”

Schools should invest in actual equipment to increase not only authenticity, but also the learning experience.