The Game Sense approach, also known as Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU), is a student-centered approach that focuses on developing students' skills and understanding through active engagement in play. It concentrates on how students learn rather than how coaches teach, using minor skills to gradually build competencies within a game. Skill development occurs during rather than prior to games, allowing students to learn appreciation of skills and rules through firsthand experience. The approach promotes inclusive learning and establishes a comfortable play environment where all students are engaged regardless of expertise level by constantly modifying games to suit varied skills.

1. PDHPE
THE GAME SENSE APPROACH
Teaching Games For Understanding
(TGFU)

2. What is the Game Sense Approach?
• The game sense approach is also known
as ‘TGFU’ Teaching Game for
Understanding is a student-centred
approach which focuses on the play
aspect of sport.
• This approach concentrates on
developing the students’ skills and
understanding while being actively
engaged in play.

3. How does it work?
• The Game Sense approach focuses
on how the students learn rather
than how the coaches coach.
• Focuses on using minor skills to
gradually build students’
competencies in a game.
• In Game Sense Approach skill
development happens during the
game not prior to the game.
• With firsthand experience, students
learn to appreciate the values and
importance of certain skills and
rules that will allow them to become
proficient players in a certain game.

4. WHY and HOW is this approach effective?
• The Game Sense Approach promotes inclusive
learning, and establishes a comfortable
environment for play. Everybody is engaged in the
game regardless of their level of expertise.
HOW?
• The games are constantly renewed and modified to
suit varied skills, and to keep the game interesting
and, students motivated and engaged. This is done
through introducing new techniques and skills so
the game does not become repetitive.

5. Why do we use the Game Sense Approach in 5P?
• In 5P, we have adopted an inclusive, and
interactive learning approach.
• Using the Game Sense Approach allows a
positive, fun and engaging environment, and
does not single a child. No student is used as
example of what not to do, but rather models
are provided in such cases to help students
perform better.
• Through modifying games everybody is
included. For example in 5P’s softball team
the experienced players can hit the ball with a
bat, while the less experienced players can
throw the ball, or hit it off a tee. Everyone is
engaged and challenged without feeling
bored, left out or less confident.
• Everybody feels good and comfortable =
everybody is confident.

6. How does the Game Sense Approach help as a
teaching approach?
• The Game Sense approach encourages students to
become authentic learners.
• It is a student-centred approach that focuses on
the students learning.
• Encourages students to become thinkers, and
develops their problem-solving.
• Allows the students to make decisions about the
game and become thinkers. As they play the
students come up with strategies that help them
play the game more effectively.
• Develops the students interacting skills.

7. References
Light, R. (2006). Game sense: Innovation or just
good coaching? Journal of Physical
Education New Zealand, 39(1), 8-19,3.
Mandigo, J., Butler, J., & Hopper, T. (2007). What
is teaching games for understanding? A
Canadian perspective. Physical & Health
Education Journal, 73(2), 14-20.