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I work in a K-8 school and dodge ball is an alltime favorite of most of the older kids. The younger kids want either a more structured game like kickball or soccer or just a free recess on the swings and jungle gym.

The older kids love it. The kids can all catch and throw by that age. The girls who will never like P.E. get out early on purpose so they can sit on the sidelines and chat. The non-athletic boys will stay in the back until the end of the game. The really talented kids take it seriously and will play competetively to win, but often get out because they take foolish chances. The clutzes have a good chance of winning or at least lasting a long time.

Anyhow, dodge ball is a good time for all, now played with squishy nerf like balls so no body ever gets hurts.

I was a smaller child, and got my butt kicked in dodgeball pretty regular. One of the first ones out. But I kept in there, never shying away. Eventually I got prety darn good at catching the ball, and my throwing skills improved, too. Sheer hard work, and an unwillingness to hide, to be a baby, to be a wuss.

I was never the best, but after years, gained enough skill to make it to the last few, and that was the beginning of my "stand or sink on your own" education.

Do I feel bad for those who felt bad in dodgeball? Nope. I was there, too.

Competition among individuals is what freedom is all about. Preventing it is what utopians wish.

This is not meant for you--just an observation....Sooner or later life teaches you this, and then you undersatand and accomplish what you can. On your own. With nothing but your brains and will.

We played with the red rubber balls...about 12" in diameter. When you got whacked in the face with one of those, you new it!

Hearing they now play with nerf balls, it breaks my heart!