Conditioned Games

1. Approaches
Workbook
Conditioned Games – Teacher Answers

2. 1) Why do performers oftenfindthis approachto
develop performancemotivatingand engaging?
 Performers will find this method motivating as
they have been set a challenge to beat an
opponent in a competitive game.
• Performers generally enjoy competitive situations
and as a result are likely to work to the best of
their ability.

3. 2)Whenusingthisapproachtodevelopperformancehowisthe
performerencouragedtochangethewaytheyperform?
 In a conditioned game the rules of the game are changed
in some way (such as increasing the number of
points/goals for scoring using a certain skill/technique).
 This change in rule is designed to encourage the
performer to perform in a certain way.
 For example in badminton if 5 points are awarded for
scoring using a smash then the performer is encouraged
to use the smash more often.

4. 3) Why is often good to finisha skills
developmentsession with a conditionedgame?
 The theme or focus of the session is
maintained in a competitive situation, so
performers don’t simply forget what they have
been working on during the session when they
go into a game.
 Finishing a skills development session with a
conditioned game will increase the enjoyment
and will likely engage performers participating
in the session and in future sessions.

5. 4) Why does developingskillwithinconditionedgames
make it easier to transferthatskill into a real game?
• A conditioned game is a much more game like
environment to work on a skill. This means that
the performer faces similar challenges as they
would in the real performance.
• By performing the skill in this situation then the
performer will have to deal with similar variables
(such as opponents, ball or shuttle flight). As a
result developing the skill in this situation is likely
to make it easier to transfer into a game.

6. 5)Whyistheuseofconditionedgameswithinadevelopment
programmegoodforanathletesoveralldevelopment?
 Conditioned games will help to develop a range
of factors over and above the focus of the
session. These factors include decision making,
confidence, use of tactics, concentration and
mental toughness.
 In addition players will use a range of skills
similar to those used in a full game.

7. 6) Why are conditionedgames less effectivefor players
of a lower skill level (cognitivestageof learning)? What
mighthappenif used?
 Can become de-motivating if the practice is too
difficult and you are not experiencing success
 Can develop poor decision making if you are
being encouraged to perform skills or tactics at
the wrong times.

8. 7)Whenplayingaconditionedgamewhymightaperformerlose
focusonwhattheyaretryingtodevelop?
 In a competitive situation some players may
become too focussed on the outcome of the
game itself.
• This could lead to the condition being ignored
or rarely attempted due to a win at all costs
mentality.

9. 8)Whenusingaconditionedgameaperformerisencouragedto
usecertainskills/tacticswithinthegame. Thiscanresultinthese
skills/tacticsbeingusedatinappropriatetimes. Whatnegative
affectmightthishaveontheperformerinrealgames?
 Can develop poor decision making if you are being
encouraged to perform skills or tactics at the wrong
times.
 After playing in a conditioned game a performer may play to
the condition in a real game. This could result in the
performer using shots or tactics which were rewarded in the
conditioned game but may not be appropriate for the real game
situation.

10. 9)Whatnegativeimpactmightusingaconditionedgamehaveon
aperformeriftheopponenttheyareplayingagainstinthe
conditionedgameknowswhattheconditionis?
 If an opponent is aware of the condition then
this may create a false situation. This may
make it easier for the opponent to read what
will happen and therefore be in the right
position at the right time to make it difficult to
be successful. This may discourage the use of
this in real games as you don’t feel it works.

11. 10) What organizational issues are there
with using conditioned games?
 There may not be enough players to run the
conditioned game. This may be difficult to
organise.