How to Do Well in High School Physical Education

Last Updated: January 14, 2023 References

If you're not very athletic, or you're worried about your performance, Physical Education classes can be intimidating. Your grade will mostly be based on participation, so you’ve gotta get out there -- but what if you’re not good at sports? Doing well in PE class is as simple as building your confidence, staying positive, and giving it your all.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Building Your Confidence

1
Talk to your teacher outside of class. Tell your teacher your concerns and take their advice. For example, your teacher may be able to tell you what you’ll experience this semester, or recommend exercises you can do at home.^{[1]
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2
Ask your parents or other adults about their experiences in PE. Tell your parents your concerns and ask them what they remember about high school PE. You may hear some funny or comforting stories, or they may have other tips you can use to help you fit in.

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3
Start exercising outside of class. If you’re worried about keeping up in class, you can start building stamina by walking, jogging, or playing sports at home. Invite friends or family members out to the park, or go for walks around your neighborhood.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staying Positive

1
Avoid comparing yourself to others. Everybody is different, and comparing yourself to the "superstar" athletes in your class will only make you feel bad. Try to remember that it takes a lot of practice to get good at most things, including sports.
2
Cheer others on when it’s their turn. Having a friendly, cheerful, and supportive attitude can contribute to the mood in your class -- and you might even end up making friends. Don't be afraid to talk to your classmates, some of them may be feeling the same way you do.
3
Pay attention to your body. It’s important to push yourself, but everyone has their limits.^{[3]
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Research source} Be sure to gradually increase the amount of exercise you are doing, and taking breaks when you need to catch your breath, rest, or drink water will help you stay healthy and make exercising fun.
4
Think about what you'll gain. Daily physical exercise is important for your health, and developing healthy habits as an adolescent will help you throughout adulthood. By being open-minded and trying hard, you may find a sport or activity that you can enjoy for years to come.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Giving It Your All

1
Read up on some of the sports you'll be learning in class. You don't have to be an expert, but if you're nervous about remembering the rules of various sports, you can do a bit of research before class.^{[4]
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Research source} Commit what you've read to memory by talking about the sport with classmates before class starts.
2
Participate in all the activities. The purpose of PE class is to get you up and moving during the school day, so you should go to class every day, and participate as long as you aren't sick or injured. You'll get the most physical benefits out of PE if you exercise for the whole class period, so avoid giving up or sitting out.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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3
Set goals for improvement. If you’re struggling to keep up in class, setting small goals for self-improvement can help you stay motivated.^{[6]
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Research source} You may not be the fastest or the best at volleyball, but by challenging yourself every day you will be able to improve on what you did the day before.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you have fun in PE?

Paige Bowen, MA, EdM
Physical Education Teacher
Paige Bowen is a Physical Education Teacher at Oconee County Primary School in Watkinsville, Georgia. Paige has over 20 years of physical education teaching experience. She was awarded the Oconee County Primary School Teacher of the Year for 2002-2003. She received a B.S.Ed. in Health and Physical Education from the University of Georgia in 1996 and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education in 2003 from the same institution.

Paige Bowen, MA, EdM

Physical Education Teacher

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Put your anxiety aside and just enjoy everything. One of the most important things is to get fun, and the other is to get some exercise, make your heart beat fast. Some students are worried or nervous that they're not going to do well, or they're going to fail. Put that aside and just have a good time, get tied to your friends, get along with people, and encourage each other. Those are the big, big things that I would hope that the students would do. Also, keep trying, do the best that you can. For example, I don't expect every kid to be able to do 50 times over the jump rope, and they know that, but I do want them to try because it takes time and it takes longer for some than others. Don't compare yourself to the person beside you, just do the best that you can do.
Question

How do you get good at PE?

Paige Bowen, MA, EdM
Physical Education Teacher
Paige Bowen is a Physical Education Teacher at Oconee County Primary School in Watkinsville, Georgia. Paige has over 20 years of physical education teaching experience. She was awarded the Oconee County Primary School Teacher of the Year for 2002-2003. She received a B.S.Ed. in Health and Physical Education from the University of Georgia in 1996 and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education in 2003 from the same institution.

Paige Bowen, MA, EdM

Physical Education Teacher

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Don't worry about being good at PE. Your P.E. classes aren't supposed to be competitions, even if you sometimes do activities that are competitive. Instead of focusing on winning or losing, just try to have a good time and get your heart rate up.