The game sense approach is a student-centered pedagogy used in physical education that focuses on developing skills through active involvement in games. It emphasizes learning fundamental movement skills like running, jumping, and throwing through modified games rather than repetitive drills. This approach promotes quality teaching, student engagement, and understanding of game principles and strategies. It aligns with teaching the skills and concepts outlined in primary school PDHPE syllabuses.

1. Game Sense
What is the game sense approach?
The game sense approach is a student centered approach. This approach gives
students the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of the lesson while
being active and independent learners as they are involved in the game (Australian
Sports Commission, 2016).
The game sense approach is increasing physical education pedagogies in primary
schools as it practices high quality teaching (Light, 2014).

2. Fundamental Movement Skills
The fundamental movement skills are the skills
that primary school students need to master in
order to participate in and enjoy a wide variety of
physical activities, sports, and games.
There are 12 fundamental movement skills that
are deemed to be the foundation for movement.
The core movement skills are as follows:
• Static balance
• Sprint run
• Vertical jump
• Side gallop
• Catch
• Kick
• Hop
• Skip
• Leap
• Overarm throw
• Two hand strike
• Dodge
(Reference)
These essential skills are
learnt through a game
sense approach where
students learn the skills
through active and
involved learning in
sports and games during
PE lessons.

3.  The game sense approach is based on the theory that specific principles are
common across a range of different games, and that teaching the students
about the principles will give students the knowledge of participating in the
game with more understanding (Curry, 2011).
 The game sense approach classifies games into four different areas:
• Invasion games such as Oztag, Soccer, Basketball, and Netball.
• Target games such as Archery and Bowling.
• Court and net games such as Volleyball and Tennis.
• Striking and field games such as Cricket and Baseball.

4. Strengths of using the Game Sense approach for
teaching
 The game sense approach promotes high quality teaching. It uses a variety of
teaching strategies instead of solely focusing on lessons that are based on
teaching the skills repetitively through using the traditional approach.
 The game sense approach is very student centered. Students learn the skills
as they are practicing them through participating in various games that
include the skills students essentially need to learn.

5.  By playing a range of games students realise the particular skills and rules that are
necessary in playing the game successfully.
 By using the game sense approach, the game itself becomes the central part of the
lesson rather than being played at the end of the lesson.
 The game sense approach is engaging and students enjoy being able to be given
choices as well as being taught skills through various games. Student input is
essential in the game sense approach as open ended questions are used in each
lesson to encourage cognitive thinking and reflection.
 Students input is considered in modifying games an making games more engaging for
students that are participating in them.

6. Links with the syllabus content
 The game sense approach links with the PDHPE K-6 syllabus as it clearly
promotes learning, growth, and development through games, understanding
of fair and safe play, as well the positive impacts of learning through play and
cooperation.
 The fundamental movement skills in the syllabus promotes learning through
games and sports, which include playing with and sharing equipment (BOSTES,
2007).
 The game sense approach implements all the skill outcomes that are included
in the syllabus content which include learning skills through communicating,
decision making, interacting, moving, and problem solving, all of which the
game sense approach is based on.

7. Reference List
 Australian Sports Commission. (2016). Sporting Schools. Game Sense Approach. Retrieved from
https://sportingschools.gov.au/resources-and-pd/schools/playing-for-life-resources/game-
sense-approach
 Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal development, health and physical education K-6:
Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: Author.
 Curry, C. (2011). Using the Game Sense Approach to Deliver Quality Teaching in Physical
Education. 21st Century Learning. Western Sydney University. Retrieved from
https://learning21c.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/using-the-game-sense-approach-to-deliver-
quality-teaching-in-physical-education/
 Light, R. (2014). Quality Teaching Beyond Games Through Game Sense Pedagogy. University of
Sydney Papers in HMHCE- Special Game Sense Edition. Retrieved from
https://sydney.edu.au/education_social_work/research/centres_and_networks/ADPN/HMHCE-
papers/resources/HMHCE_GS_Ed_Article_01_2014.pdf