In his book "Physical Education Futures" (Routledge, London) David Kirk (2010) introduces the notion of the idea of the idea of physical education, which challenges all physical educators to think more deeply and broadly about physical education as a school subject. The notion of the idea of the idea enables a "big picture" conceptualisation of physical education as a field of practice. Kirk uses the notion of the idea of the idea to speculate on possible futures for physical education. This article accepts the challenge of the futures debate, challenges Kirk's idea of the idea, and proposes the adoption of Tinning's (2002, 2010) modest-critical pedagogy as a way forward for physical education.