2. •Game Sense is used as an effective tool to
teach children how to play games through
motivation and encouraging them to try, not
focusing on just winning a game.
These games include invasion, striking/fielding,
net/court and target games (Pill, S. 2014).
•Sport can, and should, form a valuable part of
children's and young people's experiences of
growing up, fitting into society and becoming
responsible citizens (Light, R. 2013).
What is Game Sense ?
3. Click here
For a more visual understanding a You tube clip was designed by a PDHPE
teacher explaining to his class Game Sense. Please click the link below to
take you to the clip.
(You will need the internet to watch this)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBgu5jhPTsg
4. •To develop a positive attitude toward sport and to have it make a positive
contribution to their physical, social, moral and personal growth and
development (Light, R. 2013).
•Social and moral learning, making friends, the formation of identity and self-
esteem, the joy of movement, experiencing a sense of belonging and
achievement, and just having some fun (Light, R. 2013).
Pill, S. (2013) states that Game Sense is based on these examples,
• shaping play (by the reinforcement of cues, feedback, questions to get players
thinking about the game, and modification of game rules to emphasise the need
for technical development or tactical understanding) .
• Sampling (by using small sided games that maximise game participation and,
therefore, the potential for skill development. For example, futsal and soccer I
AFL 9's and football) .
• Complexity (through the progression of game forms to accommodate task
complexity for the level of the learner) .
• Representation (by developing modified games with similar tactical structure
to the 'full rules' game) .
• Exaggeration (modified games retain the primary rules of the 'full rules' game,
but secondary rules are adapted to exaggerate the need for a technique or
tactical solution).
Why use Game Sense ?
5. •As a teacher, I personally find that Game Sense is able to encourage all children
from all skill levels to participate in the physical classes.
•I remind students that their technique or skill level is not what is important, their
participation and motivation is key.
•Game Sense focuses on a team working together, whilst moving. This is important
to my classes.
With these important points along with Game Sense, PDH IS a fun, interactive and
educative subject.
SAFETY. FUN. MOVEMENT
6. •The NSW Syllabus for PDHPE strand, ‘Games and Sports’ aims to develop each
student’s competence and confidence in a broad range of games, sports and physical
activities. Students develop fundamental movement skills (FMS), progressing to more
games and sports-specific skills in non-competitive and competitive environments
that foster positive feelings of success and enjoyment.
This strand is linked to the concept of ‘Game Sense’ and is able to provide a positive
teaching approach along with strengthening the students motivation in participating in
PDH. All schools in NSW are obliged to follow the syllabus and this strand.
For more information on the NSW Syllabus in PDH, please click the link on the
‘Welcome Page’ labelled Syllabus.
7. References
Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical education K-6: Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: Author.
CCHealthPromotion. (2004, July 14). Game Sense - Video One – Explanation [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBgu5jhPTsg
Group of five happy children jumping outdoors [Image] (2009, May 23). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58648496@N02/5380522396
Light, R. (2013). Game sense for physical education and sport coaching. In Game sense: Pedagogy for performance, participation
and enjoyment (pp. 37-47). London, UK: Routledge.
Pill, S. (2014). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense teaching in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 1-19.
