2. What is Game Sense?
Game sense is an innovative approach to physical education that
focuses on the game that is being played. This approach encourages
students to develop skills while playing a game and allows them to
become more tactically aware, allow them to make decisions and have
fun while gaining fundamental movement skills. Game sense approach
explores key concepts and pedagogical theory which makes it a a great
method for teaching and coaching situations.
(Light, 2012)
3. Why do we use Game Sense Approach?
• As a school we have chosen to implement game sense approach into
our lessons as it engages and encourages students to learn important
skills through different games.
• Skills such as running, jumping, dodging, catching and throwing are
learnt through a wide variety of games that we allow our students an
opportunity to get involved in.
• Students find game sense approach engaging and fun which means
they put in more effort to learning the game and the skills needed.
4. Rationale
Game sense allows students to combine movement ability, tactical
skills and athletic competency which improves player performance
overall thus making it a great pedagogical practice when teaching
physical education (Pill, 2014). While using a game first approach
opposed to practice first ,students are able to learn the fundamental
parts of the game and movements required and are able to critique
these skills through further practice afterwards, knowing exactly which
skills will be needed within the game.
5. Discussion
• Game sense allows students to play the game first, before practicing
the skills needed. This allows teachers to be able to observe the
students and see who needs more practice with which skill, allowing
the teacher to group students more effectively to improve the skills
they need. In a game sense approach, learning is positioned within
modified games to emphasize the way rules shape game behaviour,
tactical awareness, decision-making and the development of
fundamental movement skills (Pill & Hewitt, 2017). Game sense
allows students to improve decision making, movement knowledge as
well as movement capability, creating more independent learners.
6. Syllabus Content
• Values and Attitudes:
Game sense allows students an opportunity to gain an appreciation of
a variety of games which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
• Skills:
Whilst having a game first approach students are able to develop skills
in fundamental movement patterns and coordinated actions of the
body
• Knowledge:
Students develop knowledge and understanding of skills that enable
action for better health and movement outcomes
7. References
• Light, R., Ebooks Corporation, & MyiLibrary. (2013). Game sense
pedagogy for performance, participation and enjoyment (Routledge
studies in physical education and youth sport). Milton Park, Abingdon,
Oxon ; New York: Routledge.
• Pill, S. (2014). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense teaching
in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 1-19.
• Pill, S., & Hewitt, M. (2017). Tennis Coaching: Applying the Game
Sense Approach. Strategies, 30(2), 10-16.
