Peteca
Angel Martinez
Angel L. Martinez 10+ Years of teaching and coaching experience Head of Physical Education (K-12) at The Brearley School in New York City Softball Coach and Basketball Coach at The Brearley School in New York City, Additional experience coaching water polo and baseball. Former PE and Health Teacher at the Riverdale Country School, where he introduced capoeira, self-defense, and technology-based fitness training to enhance student engagement. Has presented at multiple conferences (SHAPE America conference, NYSAHPERD, and Estonian Physical Education Association XIV International Summer Course for Physical Education Teachers), sharing expertise on multicultural sports and innovative PE practices. Fluent in English and Spanish, committed to creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
Lesson Overview
Peteca - A Traditional Brazilian Net Game
Peteca Tactics and Game Play Progressions
Peteca is a dynamic hand-striking game with roots in Brazilian Indigenous culture. In this session, participants will learn the fundamental skills of serving, striking, and rallying using the shuttle-like Peteca. Teachers will experience how the game can be taught in progressive stages-starting with individual control, moving into partner rallies, and finally small-group play. The emphasis will be on cultural appreciation, movement variety, and accessibility for students of all ages.
Building on the basics, this lesson introduces tactical concepts of Peteca, including positioning, shot placement, and scoring strategies. Through cooperative and competitive formats, participants will explore how to adapt Peteca for different class sizes and facilities. The session will highlight how to foster intercultural awareness through sport while also enhancing hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and cardiovascular fitness.