The importance of game sense approach

1. Game Sense
Nawal Saleh
18365030

2. What is Game Sense?
• Game sense approach is an interactive approach to the teaching and understanding of a diverse amount of
sports.
• Game sense is one in which games are modified to increase the understanding of the game for students and
provide them with the opportunity to engage in the games to their fullest potential
• It provides students with a platform to expand their knowledge alongside with the introduction of a variety of
learning opportunities where they implement new strategies and develop new skills that they can utilise in their
sporting career/activity.
• It makes learning new games more engaging and meaningful for students
• It provides teachers with the ability to break down games into segments to increase the understanding of
students and provide them with the time needed to practice
(Wright and Forrest, 2007)

3. • Students first begin by understanding the procedure of the
game
• Recognise the problems and how to solve them
• Recognise the different tactics needed and the skills needed to
achieve the aim of the game
• Incorporate fundamental movement skills to play the game
• Through game sense, students learn game concepts such as
invasion and defence through games like basketball
Mitchell, Oslin & Griffin, 2013).

4. Rationale
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) is one of the six KLA areas in the
NSW primary curriculum. It is an important subject and focuses on providing students with a number
of opportunities to learn and understand the importance of physical fitness and theory side of
PDHPE. It is important that children are encouraged to participate in physical activity and that
teachers frequently provide students with the opportunity to gain these skills and make it enjoyable.
PDHPE is inclusive, promotes physical activity and encourages students to value themselves and
others.

5. How does Game Sense link to
the Syllabus?
Skills from the Syllabus that are incorporated in Game Sense include:
• Moving – use fundamental games in different games
• Problem solving – observe, identify and solve problems
• Communicating – students communicate with one another to solve problems and express how they
feel
• Interacting – students work together
• Decision making - students make decisions on, which techniques and strategies they will use
(Board of Studies, 2007)

6. Strengths as a teaching
approach
• The game sense approach in teaching increases students participation in physical education.
When this is incorporated in HPE it provides students with a platform to learn how to use these
skills rather than just focusing on learning skills.
• Game sense approach has many advantages over a traditional approach as it provides teachers
with the opportunity to teach students the skills of the game through modified games and
understand the game.The techniques and strategies used in game sense teach students to play
with purpose.
• Game sense is a great way to teach students basic movement skills

7. - Student centred
- Students develop an understanding of how the game is played through game modifications
- Develop fundamental movement skills
- Students can identify the different tactics and strategies used to play the game
- Students develop communication skills as well as decision making skills
Example of a game sense approach, which involves:
- Targeting
- Sticking
- Invasion
Advantages of Game Sense

8. References
Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal Development, health and physical education K-6: Syllabus.
Sydney, Australia
Mitchell, S. A., Oslin, J. L. & Griffin, L., L. (2013) Teaching sport concepts and skills: A tactical games
approach for ages 7 to 18. Human Kinetics
Wright, J., & Forrest, G. (2007). A social semiotic analysis of knowledge construction and games
centred approaches to teaching. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 12(3), 273-287