There were several different formats used for dodgeball in the schools I went to. The most abusive setup split the class into two teams, and whenever someone from one team was hit, they went and stood on the opposing team's sidelines and could still catch the ball and throw it at the people near them who were still "in." This encouraged the extra-hard throwing and targeting of kids who were disliked. And as I explained in response to mtgat's comment above, I was good at dodging balls thrown at me. That just never stopped any of the mean kids from trying even harder to tag me out than kids who were good at the game but not considered "nerdy" and thus fair game for bullying with school sanction.
If I'd ever had the kind of dodgeball experience you describe, I imagine I'd have less problem with it being an official and mandatory school activity. Unfortunately, it seems your experience was much less common. Most people remember dodgeball as having been a mean and nasty game even if the nastiness was never directed at them.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-04-29 12:20 pm (UTC)If I'd ever had the kind of dodgeball experience you describe, I imagine I'd have less problem with it being an official and mandatory school activity. Unfortunately, it seems your experience was much less common. Most people remember dodgeball as having been a mean and nasty game even if the nastiness was never directed at them.