Game Sense

Challenging traditional approaches to

coaching
What is Game Sense?

● Game Sense is a variant approach of coaching which is used in physical

education
● It has challenged the more traditional ‘sport-as-techniques’ approach to
coaching
● Whilst more traditional PE methods emphasise technique and skill
development, Game Sense is instead ‘game-centered’
● In doing so, it focuses on the development of each student’s skill-set and
tactical awareness in the context of gameplay
● Game Sense is derived from Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU)
What is Game Sense? (cont.)

● Game sense is segregated by 4 categories

1. Net & Court (e.g. squash, volleyball)
2. Striking & Fielding (e.g. softball, cricket)
3. Target (e.g. lawn bowls, golf)
4. Invasion (e.g. NRL, football, AFL)
What is Game Sense? (cont.)

● The objective of Game Sense is to contribute to the development of a

student’s basic skills in the context of a game, thereby improving their
tactical knowledge and capacity, rather than just their intrinsic physical skill.
● A key characteristic of Game Sense is its flexibility: if a certain game is not
engaging the students and has no tangible impact on their skills, then it can
be changed to suit requirements.
● This highlights the emphasis of Game Sense on‘learning and understanding’
how to practically apply certain skills in the setting of a game (Light, 2006,
pp. 6).
Rationale for Game Sense

● The benefit of Game Sense is found in its ability to engage students,

increasing their eagerness to participate in sports.
● Also, it encourages self-improvement, where students are not solely
dependent on coaches to teach each specific skill, which would otherwise
become mundane and boring.
● As a coaching strategy, Game Sense therefore gives students a more
sophisticated understanding of sport, the skills required to play it, whilst still
being able to enjoy their time during PE.
Link to NSW PDHPE Syllabus

● The objectives of Game Sense can be linked to the following sections of the
stage 2 syllabus
● Stage 2, Movement and Skill Performance:
- PD2-4: Performs and refines movement skills in a variety of sequences and
situations
- Indicator GSS2.6: participate and use equipment in a variety of games and
modified sports
Benefits of Game Sense

● Game Sense is an effective coaching method for teaching students skills,

whilst under the pressure of a ‘real-game situation’
● Therefore, skill and technique is not lost, but is instead incorporated into the
game-style situation
● Also, Game Sense also promotes the improvement of team-based skills and
communication, whilst also building confidence in a student regarding their
ability to play a certain sport

(Towns, 2002, pp. 1)

Reference List

Towns, J. (2002). About Game Sense, University of Wollongong, 1.

Light, R. (2006). Introduction: The games approach to coaching, Journal of

Physical Education New Zealand, 39(1), 5-7.

Light, R. (2006). Game Sense: Innovation or just good coaching?, Journal of

Physical Education New Zealand. 39(1), 8-19.

NSW Board of Studies, (2018), Personal Development, Health and Physical

Education, K-10 Syllabus, Sydney, Australia.