1. Making the Case for
Martial Arts in PE
Justin Lehrer

2. 5 Pounds of Body Fat

3. But Aren’t martial arts violent?
 Martial arts carry a negative stigma of violence and torture
 This could be a result of the “old school” thinking
 This style extremely rare today- lawsuits, exercise physiology
improvements, build clientele
 UFC becomes mainstream- High School children impressionable
 No more violent then Football, Hockey, Boxing or Wrestling

4. Why Teach Martial Arts?
 About individual performance- students taking social
responsibility
 Gives the less athletic student a chance to participate
 Gives student short/long term goals
 Intrinsic/Extrinsic motivation
 Helps teach the NASPE standards- 3 & 5

5. More Reasons to Teach
Martial Arts
 Promotes respect- trash talking, taunts, excessive
celebration not allowed
 Inexpensive
 Students need to know how to defend themselves(i.e.
Columbine, etc.)
 An ideal physical activity for students with disabilities
especially ADD & ADHD

6. What if I’m Not a Blackbelt?
 Can I teach a martial arts class in PE with no M.A.
experience?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiicFq6xY8w

7. You don’t Need to be a Black
belt to teach children
 “Students don’t care how much you know until they know
how much you care”
 Video demonstration may look cool.
 Rarely if ever teach fancy moves to a children’s class.
 Younger students need to learn focus & discipline not how to
apply a wrist lock.
 Already have the tools & skills as a Physical Educator.
 Games- Sensei says, copycat, running through the forest,
Roundkick baseball

8. NASPE Standards
 Standard 3- Regular exercise
 Standard 5- personal/social responsibility & behavior

9. Public Law 94-142
 Inclusion of disabled students
 Martial arts ideal activity for ADD, ADHD, Autism, Down
Syndrome

10. Why Did I pass Around
5 Pounds of Body Fat?
 Too many sedentary people
 Younger people are more influenced/ develop good
habits early on.
 The student who fears PE- martial arts can help

11. Benefits (Theeboom)
 Increased self control
 More disciplined
 Higher self esteem

12. Final Thoughts
 First-hand experience of benefits for myself and
students
 As a teacher you will be praised because students
increase their focus and perform better in school
 Inclusion of all students