2. What is the Game Sense
Approach?
Game sense approach can be seen as small sided
games or activities that have been modified and
adapted to the needs of the present students (Pill,
2014).
Game sense places sports into 4 categories:
Striking and fielding games (Baseball, cricket etc.).
Invasion games (Soccer, football, netball etc.).
Target game (Golf, archery, etc.).
Net and wall games (Volleyball, tennis, etc.).
(Reid & Harvey, 2013)
3. Game sense involves the use of game-centred
activities that are designed to help individuals develop
the fundamental movement skills and tactics of sports
(Light & Roberts, 2010).
The fundamental movement skills of sport include:
• Static balance
• Sprint run
• Hop
• Leap
• Skip
• Vertical jump
• Side gallop
• Dodge
• Catch
• Two hand strike
• Kick
• Overarm throw
4. Why teach game sense in
PDHPE?
The implementation of game sense into PE lessons in extremely important, as it allows
the teacher to design activities that focus on maximising enjoyment and inclusivity, whilst
developing the fundamental movement skills throughout.
Activities that focus solely on skill development can often be boring and exclude students
that aren’t at the required skill stage. Whereas game sense activities can be adapted and
modified so that all students are given equal opportunity to engage and develop their
skills. An example of adaptations would be:
Increasing the scoring zones
Using larger balls or equipment
Everyone must touch the ball before scoring a point
Introduce multiple balls and scoring opportunities
When reflecting upon the PDHPE syllabus, game sense activities address the promote
physical activity, games and sports, and interpersonal relationships strands of the
syllabus. In addition, students also develop the key skills of communicating, decision
making, interacting, moving, and problem solving through the use of game sense
activities (Board of Studies, 2007).
5. Game sense is vital within a PDHPE lesson as
students will learn and achieve more when they’re
enjoying the activity they’re involved in. Enjoyment in
games and sports can ultimately lead to students
making the decision to play sports or activities outside
of the school environment.
Game sense also promotes an important skill of
cooperating within a team environment. When students
are placed into team games or a cooperative learning
space, they’re provided the opportunity to develop
teamwork, social, and leadership skills, which in affect
helps to develop relationships with peers.
6. References
Light, R., & Robert, J. (2010). The impact of Game Sense
pedagogy on Australian rugby coaches' practice: a question
of pedagogy. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy, 15(2),
103-115. doi: 10.1080/17408980902729388
Pill, S. (2014). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense
teaching in physical education. Sport, Education And
Society, 21(2), 279-297. doi:
10.1080/13573322.2014.912624
Reid, P., & Harvey, S. (2014). We're delivering Game Sense
… aren't we?. Sports Coaching Review, 3(1), 80-92. doi:
10.1080/21640629.2014.967519
Board of Studies. (2007). PDHPE K-6 syllabus.
