Critical incidents are unanticipated challenges experienced in the context of practice-teaching, by teacher-interns which are turning points for prospective improvements later on in the profession. With this in mind, the researchers aimed to identify the common persistent critical incidents experienced by pre-service physical educators (PSPEs) from a certain Philippine higher education institution during their off-campus teaching. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) pre-service physical educators from a teacher education institution in Pampanga, Philippines composed the pool of prospective key informants. From this, they were streamlined to ten (10) to participate in a focus group discussion; particularly those with extreme cases. The transcriptions were analyzed using content analysis and trustworthiness of data was also ensured. The emerging critical incidents dealt within the challenges encountered in terms of instruction, the students, and their cooperating-teachers. However, their coping strategies in managing these incidents included their self-determination, acceptance, motivation; behavior management; and professional guidance. It is of significance that these incidents be explored to improve the delivery of experiential learning courses relevant to the ever-changing educational mainstream.