Game sense definition and benefits

2. As for teaching the Physical Education (PE) curriculum,
3R will be taught through the Game Sense pedagogy.
The Game Sense approach was developed in the mid
1990s, developed to teach games for understanding.
Teaching PE through Game Sense pedagogy is
fundamental in the 21st century as it has many benefits
discussed later.

3. Game Sense definition
• Game Sense pedagogy is an approach to modify sports
to make them more engaging and motivating to play.
• Games are modified to also develop decision making,
skills specific to sports and tactical thinking in students.
• The four main features of game sense are:
• Providing a learning environment that is appropriate
• Questioning to encourage dialogue
• Interaction and reflection
• Collaborating to assess solutions to problems
• Providing a supportive environment

4. Game Sense
• Game sense pedagogy teaches fundamental movement
skills so that the beginners have the essential skills to be
able to participate in modified games for more skill
learning.
• The game sense begins with the format of warm-up,
game, questions and discussion about the game,
practise of skills if required, more questioning and
discussing the game and finally extension of the game

5. Benefits of Game Sense
• Game sense approach will be used to teach 3R as it has many
strengths
• Game sense helps to develop tactical awareness and strategic
knowledge, essential for students to develop in order to play
games
• Students are empowered to learn how make game-related
decisions through game sense pedagogy, helping them to
strengthen their game play
• Questioning students during game play engages students and
encourages discussion about tactical aspects of game, creating
the best learning and developing environment for the students
• This approach also replicates game conditions similar to those of
the match, and so will allow students of 3R to play and practise in
an environment of the match

6. Benefits of Game Sense continued
• Games sense approach also gives an opportunity to set out an
environment for the students where they can test their ideas
and strategies they have developed through discussion
• This approach also allows students to be actively involved in
their practise sessions, as they are not constantly being
instructed on what to do, rather trying and making their own
decisions
• Game sense approach is one of the best approaches to
motivate and encourage students of 3R into their game play, as
it is a way to challenge them and encourage them to use their
creativity.

7. Game sense and the syllabus
• Game sense pedagogy also links in with the content taught to
students through the syllabus
• Not only will it promote physical activity, it will allow students to
adopt an active lifestyle as it will be engaging for them (PDHPE
rationale)
• Students will be able to develop confidence and competence in a
broad range of games and also develop the fundamental movement
skills in order to progress to more sports specific skills (games and
sports outcome, skills outcome)

8. References
• Light, R. (2006). Game Sense: Innovation or just good coaching?. New
Zealand Physical Educator, 39(1), 8.
• LIGHT, R. (2014). Quality teaching beyond games through Game Sense
pedagogy. University of Sydney Papers in Human Movement, Health and
Coach Education, Special Game Sense Edition, 1-13.
• Zuccolo, A. S. H. L. E. I. G. H., Spittle, M. I. C. H. A. E. L., & Pill, S. H. A. N.
E. (2014). Game Sense Research in Coaching: Findings and
Reflections.University of Sydney Papers in HMHCE–Special Games
Sense Edition.