PDHPE game sense approach

1. GAME SENSE
APPROACH
Guide for Parents: PDHPE Rationale.
Nancy Khoder 17340045

2. WHY IS PDHPE IMPORTANT?
• Within our rapidly changing society today, there is a large demand of community
awareness in the importance of healthy lifestyle. As well as a recognizing need to be active
, responsible and for children to be their own decision makers.
• Through Physical Education and Health students are able to further their education and
knowledge in skills needed to develop a better life for not only those around them, but as
well as for themselves.
• Our aim for our class in 6A is to encourage, support, understand and value of ourselves
and everyone else. Through promoting physical activity students are promoting physical
activity and promoting individual fitness therefore leading to increase in decision making,
self confidence and leading to be responsible.

3. How is PDHPE taught?
• In reference to PDHPE lessons and the way that it is taught can now be
looked at in a variety of approaches; especially in the sense of teaching
games for understanding and game sense approaches. The game sense
approach is a variation of teaching games for understanding, when the
approach is utilised, the game is played first and the skill development
occurs after students have been introduced to the game this provides a
context to make the learning of skills and strategies more meaningful.
(curriculum support , n.d.).
• The central focus of the approach is the game itself in the lesson. By playing
the game before practicing the acquired skills, students understand the
importance of rules and skills that are necessary to play a game successfully.
(Curriculum Support, n.d).
• These approaches are categorized into four areas of sports such as:
• Each game approach have similar principles and aims where the outcomes are to score by passing or
sending the ball to a specific target which is defended by the opposing teams, preventing a score by the
opposite team, and to have the upper score at the end of the game.

4. What is Game Sense?
• Game sense is an approach that is based
upon the teaching games for understanding
model (TGIF) (light, 2006)
• The game sense approach is a variation of Teaching games
for understanding. The Game sense approach includes the
students having develop a broader more in-depth
understanding of sports and physical activity.
• It is based upon the individuals ability to develop sport and physical
ability skills through game-centred activities which are designed to
improve a person’s decision making, thinking and problem-solving skills
and physical performance in an interactive environment. (Mandingo,
Butler & Hopper, 2007)
• While skill is an important element of Game Sense, it is
developed contextually by participating in modified
games. Students develop an understanding of the game
by thinking and communicating about both the tactics
and technique of the game (Light, 2006)

5. • Game
A modified game creates an understanding of the
games objective, concept and skills.
• Game Appreciation
Students develop an appreciation
for the games rules, skills and
strategies.
• Tactical Awareness
Students learn how to use
offensive and defensive
tactics to their advantage.
• Decision Making
Students develop the ability
to make appropriate decisions
• Game Performance
Involves applying previous steps
in a proper game.
(Mandigo, Butler & Hopper,
2007)
• Skill Execution
Students begin to understand
the importance of properly
executed technique and skills.

6. Benefits of Game Sense
• Game Sense guides children to develop the ability to express
themselves, gain socialisation skills through interaction with peers,
and helps them to learn how to solve problems and conflicts.
• Game sense caters for students of all ages, sizes, abilities and
interests.
• Game Sense provides teacher or coaches with more flexibility.
Modifications made to games, accommodates students of all
different skill levels and ensures that the game is still enjoyable for
everyone.
Why Game Sense?
• Traditional coaching focuses on the isolation of skill development and ultimately lessens children’s ability
to be motivated to learn an enjoy physical activity.
• In comparison, Game sense provides children with the opportunity to learn about technique and skills
through a contextually modified game that is appropriate to age and ability.
• Therefore, the skills are learnt in fun and enjoyable way whilst children are also gaining an understanding
of the game’s format and rules.

7. Rationale & Discussion
• Game sense approach encourages students to perform at an individual and a team effort (Light, 2006).
It builds confidence and team work at its best! Through using invasion and striking games, game sense
approach is evidently shown to improve the basic fundamental movements in students and students
are shown to be interested and willing to adapt and modify the games to continue to make the game
interesting. By adapting the games students are going to stay interacted and interested in the lesson. It
keeps the students engaged.
• Strengths in the game Sense Approach.
• Games that are taught in PDHPE via game sense approach act in a form of teaching conversation. It
allows the students to express through their mind (speech) and their body (action).
• Game sense approach is effective in terms of it being an ideal holistic learning approach which proves
to be cognitive, social and physical learning.
• SO HOW CAN YOU HELP?
• You as parents and guardians can emphasise the importance of game sense to your children by getting
outside and playing games wit your kids where you stop an ask them how o make the game a little bit
harder once you accomplish a skill! Good- Luck and remember it is about the FUN!

8. Reference List
• Light, R. (2006). Game Sense: Innovation or just good coaching?
Journal of Physical Education, New Zealand, 39 (1), 8-19.
• Mandigo, J., Butler., & Hopper, T. (2007) What is teaching games
for understanding? A Canadian Perspective. Physical & Health
Education Journal, 73 (2), 14-20.