Athletics

Socrates said, "What a shame it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." The end of athletic training is physical harmony and the guiding principle is balance. Properly understood, athletics cultivate meekness -- one of the most important virtues for a young man to regularly practice. 

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Meekness is strength infused with wisdom and humility. A weak man cannot be a meek man. A man must first be strong in order to become meek. An model of weakness is the seasoned warrior. Meekness is knowing when the appropriate time is to draw one's sword. First, a man must know how to wield the sword. However, this alone does not make him meek. He must also learn how to sheathe it again and when is the right time to pull it out. So too with a man's strength. 

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Physical training begins with whole-hearted affirmation of the body. God created bodies, stamping his image upon man and proclaimed this work "very good!" At Renaissance Tutor we promote the dignity of man. So while we embrace sweat and soreness, we reject common exercise tropes about "conquering or dominating" one's body. Instead, we pursue physical harmony from a source of the body as a sacred temple. 

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Harmony translates physically into coordination which means Renaissance Tutor employs a broad range of drills and games. In an era of specialization where kids pick one sport at age seven and exclusively train for it much is lost athletically. Not only does a broad range of movement make one a better athlete at their preferred sport, but it improves regular life in various ways. 

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A boy should know how to run, climb, jump, dive, swim, throw and catch well. By repeatedly practicing balanced movement he will grow in physical grace. This will help him whatever sport he ends up focusing on but also things like playing cornhole at parties, being a good dance partner, and helping the old lady across the street with her yard.