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, netballTarget games e.g. golf, archery, bowlsNet 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 included in the PDHPE syllabus. Game sense approach links with this syllabus point as all students are developing new movement skills, 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

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

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

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