Fit and fun

Suzie Harrison

At first glance it looked to be all fun and games in Bret Fleming’s

gym class at Laguna Beach High School. Students were running around,

yelling and having a good time. Of course, that’s how a good teacher

instructs physical education -- have fun while keeping in shape.

One student, Nicola Bernard, 14, explained some of the activities

while she took a break on the sidelines.

“It’s like soccer with your hands,” Nicola said of the game of

team handball.

Fleming’s physical education class meets four times a week, is

co-ed and consists of every grade level at the high school.

Nicola explained some of the rules of the game which looks a lot

like dodge ball with a goal.

“Team handball is a combination of basketball and soccer, but

doesn’t require all of the skills of basketball,” Fleming said. “It’s

easier to play. Instead of having to get the ball in the basket --

it’s a much larger target.”

Before they starting playing Fleming had them do a 15-minute ab

workout and a mile run.

“So they get a pretty good activity level,” he said.

There are eight to 12 people on each team depending on how many

people show up to class.

“You hit the ball on the back mat to score,” Nicola said. “Can’t

tackle or anything -- but you try and steal it when they’re dribbling

or throwing.”

She pointed out how she would hate to be the goalie, an

understandable fear since the players try and hurl the ball past the

goalie and it’s his or her job to block it.

She said that the girls mostly foul out and when one fouls they

have to sit on the sideline for two minutes. There were a couple of

girls at any given time illustrating that point, sitting, watching

the game.

“When someone fouls out the ball goes to the opposite team’s

goalie,” Nicola said. “It’s hard to get used to it because some

people aren’t aggressive. I’m not aggressive enough when I’m bouncing

it -- I let them take it.”

Fleming said that team handball was their third activity of the

year.

“We did a long section on tennis for six weeks and a short

softball section for four weeks,” Fleming said.

Excitement grew when the game was tied at nine, the next point

would determine the winner. One could feel the tension fill the room

and then ... a goal was scored. With the winner determined, the

opposing team had to hit the deck and do 10 push-ups.