Codella is an expert at Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a contemporary martial art that he used during a 20-year career with the New York Police Department. Graying but still broad-shouldered and fit, he now runs Codella Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy on Staten Island.

“Like most people who got involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I saw the early UFC fights,” Codella told me. In those fights, which infamously took place in a cage, he watched a slight young Brazilian named Royce Gracie contort himself in all sorts of weird positions to win an essentially no-holds-barred competition. Amazingly, the men he beat dwarfed him in size and strength. Codella, himself only 5’7″, figured he could incorporate the same holds that this Brazilian used in a cage to subdue much larger men on the street.

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August 30, 2014 Version

September 12, 2012 Version

Players are assigned Smart Practice Teams at the beginning of Quarter. They stay with their teams to help ea other learn Individual skills, Team Skills, and Game skills.

More skilled players coach other players to improve the team. Skills are developed by smart practice, grit, and good coaching–talent is secondary.

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The more time children spend in structured, parent-guided activities, the worse their ability to work productively towards self-directed goals.

The author’s sons enjoying summertime in their younger years.

Most schools across the nation have marked the end of another academic year, and it’s time for summer. Time for kids to bolt for the schoolhouse doors for two long months of play, to explore their neighborhoods and discover the mysteries, treasures, and dramas they have to offer. This childhood idyll will hold true for some children, but for many kids, the coming of summer signals little more than a seasonal shift from one set of scheduled, adult-supervised lessons and activities to another.

Unscheduled, unsupervised, playtime is one of the most valuable educational opportunities we give our children. Continue reading →

Health Team Leader RECESS / TEAM SPORTS CHECKLIST

Health Team Leader RECESS SCHEDULE and SIGN-OFF Sheets

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Extended PlayGround Plan 1a