1. GAME SENSE
APPROACH
Physical Education
Stage 1: Year 2
MISS MARIAH ABOU MELHEM
17475958
2. GAME SENSE
‘Players increase motivation
and develop tactical and
strategic thinking as well as
skill development.’
(Ausport.gov.au, 2014a)
3. What is Game Sense?
The Game Sense Approach:
Also known as ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’ by Bunker
and Thorpe’s (Light, 2006).
It is the ‘Method which develops the meaning of sport and
physical activity.’ (Ausport.gov.au, 2014)
Approach to Coaching : Through experience students develop
tactical, strategic thinking, decision making and problem solving.
Use of physical activity as a central part of successful
performance (Light, 2006).
4. Game Sense Categories
4 categories of Game sense include:
Invasion Games: Football, soccer, basketball.
Target Games: Bowling, golf.
Net/Wall Games: Tennis, squash, volleyball.
Striking Games: Cricket, Softball.
(Light, 2006)
5. Why Game Sense Approach?
Repositioning the coach: allowing students to question their: (Griffin &
Butler, 2005)
Skill and movement, tactical awareness, time, space and risk.
Through experience, students develop physical locomotor and
manipulative skills whilst actively participating in the game.
Students engage in particular skills
e.g. Communication, decision making, interacting, moving and problem solving which are
necessary in playing successful games individually and in groups.
Skills begin to develop and occur once students are exposed to the game
(Light, 2006).
6. Game Sense = Skills
Students engage in social skills through interaction with peers
INS1.3 – Develops positive relationships with peers and other people.
Develops communication skills among peers
COS1.1 – Communicates appropriately in attempt to complete and be successful in the game.
Player motivation and physical activity accounts for a healthier lifestyle
(Griffin & Butler, 2005)
MOS1.4 – Students demonstrates basic movement throughout the game and locomotor and
manipulative skills within the game.
Player centred approach where students are encouraged to take control
and use decision making and problem solving within the game (Griffin
& Butler, 2005)
DMS1.2 – Allows students to make decisions for themselves and their group of how to complete
a successful game.
PSS1.5 – Understanding how to move forward in the game in order to complete.
7. Game Sense = Knowledge and Understanding
Accounts for an active lifestyle
ALS1.6 – Participating in physical activity and understanding of the game creates an
enjoyable environment and healthy lifestyle.
Increase Motivation and develops tactical skills
GSS1.8 – Games sense provides students with movement skills and spatial
awareness throughout a game.
Strategic thinking
IRS1.11 – Students gain an understanding of cooperation and learn from each other
as an individual player as well as a group player (Light, 2006).
8. Reference List
Ausport.gov.au,. (2014). Sports Coach :: Teaching games for understanding. Retrieved 1 October
2014, from
http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/coaching_processes/teaching_games_for_under
standing
Ausport.gov.au,. (2014a). Game Sense - Part 1 : Participating in Sport : Australian Sports
Commission. Retrieved 13 October 2014, from
http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/coaches/videos/coaching_children/game_sense_-
_part_1
Griffin, L., & Butler, J. (2005). Teaching Games for Understanding (1st ed.). Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics.
Light, R. (2006). Game Sense: Innovation or just good coaching?. Journal Of Physical Education
New Zealand, 39(1), 8.
