Game Sense - 1F

2. What is Game Sense?
Game sense is an approach that develops strategic thinking from
players (Pill, 2011).
It is the opportunity for students touse their learnt concepts and
strategies to build onunderstanding different tactics of games.For
example,presenting students to an activity wherethey need to ‘tag’
as many people as they can to build on invasion skills for Oz-tag.
Thefundamental movement skills, as outlined in the Syllabus is
throwing, catching, running and jumping (BOS,PDHPE Syllabus,
2007). It allows students to further develop skills to usein other
recreational activities that use, for example,invasion strategies.

3. Whatapproach doesGameSense haveon
students?
 Based on a constructivist approach, students are
able to use the knowledgethey have already learnt,
to apply to the knewskills and strategies they will
contextualize in game-like situations (Light, 2004).
 It’s focus is purely on enhancing techniques,
where positive feelings of success and enjoyment in
non-competitive and competitive environments
will bedeveloped, further enhancing decision
making skills whilst working individually orin a
team environment.

4. The Four Categories of Game Sense
According to Light (2013), there are fourgame sense categories that
work together in ordertoform coreelements of tactical features:
1. Target games
2. Net/wall games
3. Striking games
4. Invasion games
Healso notes, the knowledge that is learnt within these
categories can be crossed overfrom one sport to another. For
example,the decision making process of chasing after the ball in
cricketcan also be utilised for soft-ball (Light, 2013).

5. Why would it be important to incorporate Game
Sense for our students?
By implementing Game Sense, students are ableto
engage beinteractive and learn necessary skills that
have beenimplemented through modified games.
Understanding the skills and tactics that are essentially
the outcomes of all games, will set students up for an
overall, good experiencein PDHPE.

6. The following strengths have been identified for teaching with a Game Sense approach:
Decision making
Problem solving
Developself-expression
Socialisation skills
Conflict resolution
Incorporating knowledge about a healthy lifestyle
Understand the aims and tactics that canbe used for the 4 different categories of Game Sense: target,net/wall,
striking and invasion games

7. Links to the PDHPE Syllabus:
Throughobtaining the knowledge andskills needed whenconsidering PElearning
experiences to Game Sense, the following links to theSyllabus will be approached for the
students in1F:
CO– Communicating, DM– Decision Making, IN – Interacting and GS – Games and
Sports.
COS1.1– Communicates appropriately in a variety of ways.
DMS1.2– Recalls past experiences in making decisions.
INS1.3 –Develops positive relationships with peers andother people.
GSS1. 8 – Performs fundamental movement skills with equipment in minor games.
(BoardofStudies, PDHPESyllabus, 2007)

8. References
Light, R. (2004). Coaches'experiences ofgamesense: Opportunities andchallenges, Physical Education andSportPedagogy. 9(2), 115-131. Retrieved from,
doi: 10.1080/1740898042000294949
Light, R. (2013). Gamesense pedagogy forperformance,participationandenjoyment. Milton Park, Abingdom, Oxon; New York: Routledge.
NSW Boardof Studies. (2007). Personal development, healthandphysical education K-6Syllabus. Sydney: Australia. Retrieved from:
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/f63e7d9d-fa2a-471b-bf3c-d5b362fddb00/k6_pdhpe_syl.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID
Pill, S.(2011). Teacher engagement withteaching games forunderstanding –gamesense inphysical activity. Journal of Physical Education andSport, 11(2),
115-123. Retrieved from: https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/docview/1017884542?accountid=36155&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo