2. What is Game Sense?
Game sense is a new approach to teaching that uses games as the focus of a
session
Rather than focusing on technique practice, players are encouraged to focus on
the game and are stimulated to be more tactical and strategic with their moves
It aims to make players more aware of the strategies they are using in order to
better their performance within the game
Skills are being developed within a realistic context rather than students
practicing in isolation
(Towns, 2002)
3. What is Game Sense?
Game sense is a method used to modify sports to engage students in minor and
modified gaming strategies and concepts that presents opportunities to develop
skills and an understanding of game tactics
It encourages alterations to accommodate for differential abilities to maximise
inclusion and challenge
Promotes the development of “thinking players”
Modifies rules in order to highlight aspects of the game that are essential to
learning
(Australian Government, 2016)
4. What is Game sense?
Game sense is a description of player performance combining movement ability,
tactical and athletic competency.
Game sense pedagogical approach consists of:
Small designer games
Modification of games to emphasis a certain tactical or motor skill learning
Guided discovery and inquiry learning focused through the differential
questioning asked by the teacher
Invasion, striking, fielding, net, court, and target game categories
(Pill, 2016)
5. Benefits of Game sense
Encourages a sense of team work, and more importantly a sense of worth within
the individual
Skill levels, understanding and tactical play improve
Non-participation is decreased because lessons are catered to students’ abilities
Students strengths are valued and expressed
Develops tactics and strategies
(Townsend, 2007)
6. Syllabus Links
Implementing game sense within teaching will meet the requirements of the
NSW syllabus
Within the PDHPE syllabus in stage 1, game and sports outcome GSS1.8 is met
through game sense as it allows students to implement their fundamental
movement skills through differentiation and alterations of the lesson
Also within the PDHPE syllabus stage 1 segment, under the criterion of
movement outcome MOS1.4, this outcome is achievable through game sense
as it allows students to demonstrate enhancements of their learning experiences
throughout differential tasks
(Board of Studied NSW, 2007)
7. References
Australian Government. (2016). Game Sense Approach. Sportingschools.gov.au. Retrieved 6 May 2017, from
https://www.sportingschools.gov.au/about/research
Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical education K-6: Syllabus. Sydney,
Australia: Author.
Pill, S. (2016). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense teaching in physical education. Sport, Education
And Society, 21(2), 279-297.
Towns, J. (2002). About Game Sense (1st ed., pp. 1-2). Australia: University of Wollongong. Retrieved from
https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2582143-dt-content-rid-
21956686_1/courses/102072_2017_1h/Games%20Sense%20Supplemental%20Reading.pdf
Townsend, G. (2007). Game Sense (1st ed., pp. 1-10). UK: Northumbria University Students' Union.
Retrieved from https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2582209-dt-content-rid-
21957070_1/courses/102072_2017_1h/101576_2013_1h_ImportedContent_20121127041828/Games%20Se
nse%20by%20G%20Townsend.pdf
