Inspire a lifetime love of physical fitness with innovative equipment and activities

Innovative (nontraditional) equipment and activities are used in teaching students basic skills and tactics that can transfer to many lifelong activities and also can level the playing field.

When students are taught basic skills such as running, jumping, throwing, and catching and basic tactics like moving through space using nontraditional activities, those skills and tactics tend to be more transferable to a variety of activities that students might enjoy later as adults. In other words, nontraditional activities, rather than specific traditional sports, help them create a foundation for lifetime learning.

In addition, students will come to your class from a variety of experiences with traditional sports. Some might be at the elite level in particular sports while others might have had no exposure whatsoever. But when using nontraditional and innovative activities, all students will be at the same level—that is, no experience—so no one has an advantage or a disadvantage.

And, of course, innovative equipment and activities can also be fun, which is always a good thing. Many Human Kinetics resources feature activities using innovative or nontraditional equipment. Browse these resources using the sidebar at right.

Scott Wikgren is the director of health, Physical Education, recreation, and dance at Human Kinetics. He is a former physical educator and coach. He enjoys playing tennis and basketball, being outdoors with his dogs, and spending time with his wife and four children.