Tough is a bad quality in meat, maths and luck. But in coaching, it is often represented as a positive characteristic - and often associated with success. Especially in environments where success equals finishing the game with more points than the opposition. But at what cost?

What do "tough" coaches do? They shout a lot. They are intolerant of error, and of views other than their own. They are autocratic and don't welcome debate or criticism. They are convinced of the route to success, and don't encourage any departure from this. They are risk averse, and therefore...

There has always been controversy regarding the level of desirable physical activity in Physical Education and Games lessons. It goes to the core of what PE is supposed to be. Is it education of the physical - or through the physical? It is a fundamental issue, though not one often seen on the agenda of PE department meetings. Curiously.

Even the Government feels a need to contribute to the debate, expressing a view that there should be greater physical endeavour in primary PE lessons, in order to improve fitness levels.

But is the point of...

Across the world, in every school with a playground, the bell goes and children run out and start playing. Rare is the group that assembles under its own initiative for either static or ballistic stretching, or other activities recommended by the National Curriculum for their capacity to "accustom the body to the demands of exercise". Curiously, equally rare is the playground strewn with paramedics and stretchers struggling to keep pace with the children suffering muscle injuries in limbs surprised by the intensity of exercise into soft tissue damage.

It has long been accepted by scientists that "(before...