Game Sense Approach in PE

A resource for parents

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 What is Games Sense?
• Game Sense is the use of small sided modified games, used to emphasise and
improve particular skills (Light, 2013)

• Game sense is completely student centered, as students learn through playing the
game as a whole rather than breaking it up into tactical skill drills (Pill, 2016)

• Game Sense focuses on the needs and abilities of students, rather than the
importance of the game (Mandigo et al., 2007).

• It is heavily focused on the cognitive aspects of a game such as tactical

understanding and awareness (Pill, 2016)

• Game Sense approach aligns with the constructivist pedagogy theory which states
that students learn best through experiences and social interactions (Light, 2004).

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 What is game sense?
The Game Sense approach categorises team games into four areas:
• Invasion games e.g. Hockey, Soccer, Touch Football

• Target games: e.g. Golf, Tenpin Bowling, Archery

• Court and net games: e.g. Tennis, Volleyball

• Striking and fielding games: e.g. Cricket, Softball

The following table highlights the differences between the traditional approach of teaching
PE and the Game Sense approach:

Traditional Approach Game Sense Approach

Warm up Warm up
Skills practice Game Sense game
Play Analysis (tactical, technical,
Repeated drills
perceptual)
Back to Game Sense game in
Minor Game/Game Practice
light of above
Cool down Cool down
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 Game Sense Model
• This model outlines that teaching should commence with a
game
• The game is then modified to represent the advanced level
and exaggerated to present students with tactical
problems.
• By modifying the game, teachers can intensify playing
conditions to encourage students to question their
strategies and solve problems

(Light, 2013)

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 Fundamental Movement skills
Fundamental movement skills are closely integrated into the Game
Sense approach to learning. They consist of 12 skills that are
“building blocks” for more complex and specialised skills that
students develop to competently participate in different games.

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 Why do we use game sense?
• Games Sense makes learning new games engaging and meaningful
by providing opportunities for students to evaluate their performance
in a game (Phil, 2016)

• Encourages students to question and reflect on the game’s rules

throughout the game as oppose to before the game begins (Phil,
2016)

• Enables students to play games while having fun to lead to a healthy

and active lifestyle

• Game sense helps students develop their decision making, problem

solving, communication and planning skills

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 Syllabus Links
• The Games Sense approach is aligned with the NSW PDHPE syllabus
rationale as it states that ‘’Students learn in movement, about movement
and through movement and are given opportunities to apply and adapt
their skills across multiple contexts’’ (BOS, 2018, p. 10)

• The Game Sense approach is also linked to the following Stage 3 outcomes:
– PD3-4 adapts movement skills in a variety of physical activity contexts

– PD3-5 proposes, applies and assesses solutions to movement challenges

– PD3-8 creates and participates in physical activities to promote healthy and

active lifestyles

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 References
Board of Studies, NSW. (2018). Personal development, health and physical education K-
10: Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: Author.
Light, R. (2004). Coaches’ experiences of game sense: opportunities and challenges.
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 9(2), 115-132.
Light, R. (2013). Game Sense: Pedagogy for performance, participation and enjoyment.
New York, USA: Taylor and Francis.
Mandigo, J., Butler, J. & Hopper, T. (2007). What is Teaching Games for Understanding?
A Canadian perspective. Physical and Education Health Journal, 73(2), 14-20.
Pill, S. (2016). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense teaching in physical
education. Sport, Education and Society, 21(2), 279-297.

Amel Mehana 18292741