Game sense is an approach to teaching and coaching sports that was developed in Australia. It focuses on understanding the game through gameplay rather than isolated skill drills. The game sense approach allows students more time playing and problem solving within games to develop strategies, skills, and understanding of rules. It aims to develop strategic, independent thinkers rather than just physical skills. Game sense encourages students to make their own decisions within games to boost engagement, motivation, and transfer of skills to real games.

2. What is Game Sense?
 Game sense was introduced in Australia by the Australian Sports Commission and
Rod Thorpe (Pill, 2013, p.42).
 The main focus of the Game Sense approach is “on understanding the game through
game-centred rather than technique-first sport teaching or coaching” (Pill, 2013,
p.43).
 The Game Sense approach to teaching allows students to have more time playing
the game while challenging and motivating students to understand strategies, skills
and rules when playing a game (Pill, 2013, p.43).
 Game Sense was introduced because it was believed that there was too much
emphasis on “developing physical skills, out of context, at the expense of the other
dimensions of gameplay” (Light, 2004, p.116)

3. What is Game Sense?
 Shane Pill writes that, “game sense emphasizes sport teaching and coaching as an
educational endeavour. The driving force of this endeavour is the development of
thinking players” (Pill, 2013, p.43)
 Traditionally, the teaching and coaching of sport has been focused on the direct
teaching of skills and strategies.
 Game Sense encourages our students to think strategically on the field, using skills
which they develop in a group. These skills that are developed help students to
achieve their best in each sport.

4. The Strengths of Game Sense
Why I would use a Game Sense Approach to Teaching
 A Game Sense approach to teaching and coaching has many different strengths.
 This approach to teaching allows students to find resolutions themselves,
developing skills to strategize with teammates in a cohesive manner.
 Game Sense allows for an appreciation of play, allowing students to be constantly
participating in games. This promotes enthusiasm and a desire for improvement.
 Shane Pill writes that, “a learning environment that fosters game appreciation and
an understanding of the logic of sport leads to the development of players who are
both technically proficient and intelligent decision makers.” (Pill, 2013, p.45).
 This teaching approach encourages students to think about how they play the game
by giving them the opportunity to find their own resolves.

5. The Strengths of Game Sense
Why I would use a Game Sense Approach to Teaching
Richard Light discusses four major strengths to Game Sense approaches he found while
questioning a number of coaches on their use it. The four strengths were:
 Working off the ball: more teamwork and passing.
 Transfer from training to the game: a more evident development of skill in game.
 Creating independent players: developing independent decision-makers.
 Player motivation: players are more enthusiastic about training and developing
their skill for the game.
(Light,2006,p.120-124)

6. Summary
I believe that it is important for students to have a degree of independent decision-making
in order to develop skills that traditional approaches of teaching cannot
develop. I strongly agree with using the Game Sense approach in order for students to
gain skills in strategy and cooperation, but also to develop an enthusiasm and
excitement for the game.

7. References
Light, R. (2006). Coaches’ experiences of Game Sense: opportunities and challenges. Physical
Education and Sport Pedagogy, 9(2), pp.115-131. Retrieved from: http://www-tandfonline-com.
ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1080/1740898042000294949#.VDuZSvnSDUs
Pill, S. (2013). Teaching Game Sense in Soccer. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, 83(3), pp.42-52. Retrieved from: http://www-tandfonline-com.
ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1080/07303084.2012.10598746#.VDtuLfnSDUs