Opposition Games: New Approaches to Teach Wrestling in Brazilian Schools

Abstract

This research was motivated by our interest in developing Opposition Games as a new methodology where we link the teaching of wrestling in the school through activities that combine enjoyment, skills and motor development and at the same time provide students the opportunity to develop an interest for a future specialization in wrestling. Opposition Games contains a goal in itself-a playful activity not requiring extrinsic goals, much to the contrary, is more about having fun with your participation. The game as an activity, however is used to motivate students to enjoy wrestling activity, and also develop motor aspects that will facilitate future practice. The complete model for success requires that the participants see these wrestling games as enjoyable and pleasurable, and future PE teachers, wrestling coaches and physical education teachers, understand them and use as a learning tool. These new methodological approaches have worked with students of Physical Education, at Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Brazil, and have been tested on public schools of Curitiba, Paraná, with success.