The Game Sense

approach to
teaching PE
Take a look at how and why I use the Game Sense

approach with your children in PE lessons.

 What is it?
u Game Sense is an approach to delivering physical education lessons that supports
quality teaching and learning.

u Game Sense is also referred to as Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU)

internationally.

u PE (physical education) lessons are where Game Sense is used – these are not just
‘sport’ lessons! PE is a government mandated learning area that is integral to your
child’s development!

u Game Sense encourages equality, with no students feeling alienated or incapable due
to their ability. All students are skilled and confident!

u Game Sense classifies all games into 4 categories: target, striking/fielding, net/wall,
invasion (Pill, 2011)
How does it work?
u All PE lessons are built around and focus on stand-alone skill, but through games.
games.
u Students have to consider tactical questions
u Games are modified to suit the needs and to better the game experience for all
skills of the students. players. These include – Is this fair? Is this
safe? How could we make this
u Students are involved in the decision
easier/harder/better? What would happen
making process.
if we changed in element?
u The teacher is purely a facilitator.
u Students are learning about physical
u For Stage 1, students are learning their education THROUGH physical education!
Fundamental Movement Skills not as a
(Light, 2012)
For Example:
1R have been learning how to throw and catch a ball. Instead of performing throwing drills,
students have been playing modified versions of ‘Piggy in the Middle’. Throughout game
play, students have discussed ways in which the game could be made harder or easier, or
how the game may be made different using different rules. It has been a lot of fun!
 So, what are my kids
u Your children are:
doing?
- Learning, practicing and refining their Fundamental Movement Skills through playing physical games.

- Building a positive attitude towards their physical wellbeing. The fundamental movement

- Making judgements to better their gameplay. skills are:

- Balancing
- Interacting with their peers.
- Running
- NOT doing skill and drill! - Jumping
- Catching
- Dealing with success and failure.
- Hopping
- Meeting educational outcomes. - Throwing

- Constantly moving. - Galloping

- Skipping
- Learning about responsibility and democracy.
- Leaping
- Socially and morally learning. - Kicking (NESA, 2018)
(Light, 2013)
- HAVING FUN!
 Why use it?
u Game Sense encourages lifelong learning in and through PE.

u It utilises and develops problem solving skills that can be used in all facets of
life.

u Students are encouraged to discover, experience and experiment with

movement.

u Game Sense is adaptable to every class, every student and every situation.

u To keep children involved in sport, it is essential they have fun.

u Game Sense encourages participation, not competition.

u Connects movement knowledge, movement capability and decision making.

(Pill, 2011; Light, 2012; Light, 2013)

 Why should I
support this?
u Game Sense is supported by academic literature in the field of education.

u The NSW Department of Education recognises Game Sense as effective in

teaching PE.

u The PDHPE Syllabus requires Stage 1 students to demonstrate movement skills

in situations! Not just as a stand alone skill.

u Research shows an improvement in student performance of the Fundamental

Movement Skills when taught using the Game Sense approach

u I consider this the best way to teach PE after conducting the research.

(NESA, 2018;Pill, 2011; Light, 2012; Light, 2013)

 But what about
the Syllabus?
u The NSW PDHPE Syllabus underpins all PDHPE learning – especially the Game
Sense approach! Students must work to meet stage content and outcomes.

u The content strand, ‘Movement Skill and Performance’, requires students to

perform movement skills in a variety of situations, propose alternatives and
solutions to movement challenges through participation and promote
inclusion. All of these outcomes are achieved using the Game Sense
approach.

u Stage 1 students (Years 1 and 2) must participate in a range of activities that

promote physical activity, especially PE lessons. The Game Sense approach is
great as all students are moving at all times during the games, unlike a skills
and drills approach! (NSW Education Standards Authority, 2018)
References
Light, R. (2012). Game sense: Pedagogy for performance, participation and enjoyment.

Routledge.

Light, R. (2012). Game sense : Pedagogy for performance, participation and enjoyment.

Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) (2018). Personal Development,

Health and Physical Education K-10 Syllabus. Sydney, Australia: NSW Education

Standards Authority

Pill, S. (2011). Seizing the moment: Can game sense further inform sport teaching in

Australian physical education?. Revue phénEPS/PHEnex Journal, 3(1).