GAME SENSE APPROACH

The Game Sense approach is a method used my teachers, which helps improve the wider meaning of sport and physical activity, due to it focusing on developing thinking within problem solving consuming physical activity (Pill, S. 2014, p. 1).

This approach is created on the theory that certain principles are mutual across a range of different games. It is therefore displayed that teaching children about the main principles will facilitate students to be able to perform with a greater and better understanding (Curriculum Support, n.d, p. 7).

The game sense approach is important because games can be modified and increases the students motivation.

WHAT IS GAME SENSE APPROACH?

A game sense approach allows students to improve

in particular areas of skill, and the overall sense of

the game they are participating in. The skills they

could improve in is understanding, decision making

and reading the game (Light & Robert, 2010).

There are four different categories evident in the

game sense approach. These include;

Invasion games e.g. soccer, touch, netball

Target games e.g. golf, archery, bowls

Net and wall games e.g. volleyball, tennis,

badminton

Striking and fielding games e.g. cricket, softball.

WHAT IS GAME SENSE APPROACH?

A game sense approach is an approach that allows

teachers to help students learn in an arranged

environment, where students can meet what is

required for them in the game and can discuss

questions without being told plain blank what to do

(Light, 2006).

The game Sense approach is a variation of Bunker

and Thorpe’s Teaching Games for Understanding

model (Pill, S. 2014, p. 1).

A game sense approach is an intellectual approach

to sport, which encourages cognitive growth and

allows students to implement their own decision

making skills.

WHAT IS GAME SENSE APPROACH?

RATIONALE AND

STRENGTHS OF GAME

SENSE APPROACH

We use the game sense approach in schools due to

the fact that it has many strengths.

It is a student centered approach and is a non-

technique-based or non-directive approach.

The game sense approach develops many learning

skills, which include: cognitive, social and physical

learning.

It allows children to remain healthy, be physically

active and have fun.

A game sense approach allows individuals to build

their confidence by partaking in modified games,

where they can learn new skills together through the

game.

WHY WE USE GAME SENSE APPROACH IN

SCHOOLS

The game sense approach links in with the PDHPE K -6 syllabus as it promotes children’s development in playing games and in understanding safe, fair play, the benefits of play and cooperation.

Moving – Refines and applies movement skills creatively to a variety of challenging situations is a learning outcome included in the PDHPE syllabus. Game sense approach links with this outcome as all students are developing new movement skills and tactics, that are used in a number of situations.

The PDHPE syllabus also includes Games and Sports - Applies movement skills in games and sports that require communication, cooperation, decision making and observation of rules. This point links with the game sense approach for stage 3 as the students are required to communicate and cooperate together to get the result of physical activity in the end.

HOW GAME SENSE APPROACH LINKS

WITH THE SYLLABUS

The game sense approach will be utilised within the

lessons as games will be modified to enable all students

to be able to participate and play with fun.

Students will only be given a brief explanation of the

game and the rules and it will be up to them to play the

game how they would like. This will allow all students to

get involved.

Games and sports that will be played will be student

centered as this will utilise the game sense approach.

It will also be important that the main sports the students

partake in fall into one of the four categories of the game

sense approach. This is either 1) invasion games 2) net

and wall games 3) striking games and 4) target games.

HOW GAME SENSE APPROACH WILL BE

UTILISED IN LESSONS

Curriculum Support. (n.d). Game Sense Approach to Practical Lessons. PDHPE. Retrieved from http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/assets/pdf/pa_002.pdf

Light, R. (2006). Game Sense: Innovation or just good coaching? Journal of Physical Educational, New Zealand, 39(1), 8-19, 3.

Light, R. L, & Robert, J. E. (2010). The impact of Game Sense Pedagogy on Australian rugby coaches’ practice: a question of pedagogy. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. 15(2). 103-115. doi: 10.1080/17408980902729388

Pill, S. (2014). Teaching Games For Understanding. Sports Coach. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/coaching_processes/teaching_games_for_understanding

REFERENCE LIST