The model of Teaching Games for Understanding Comes from the idea of teaching the game first, developing game appreciation, tactical awareness, helping the kids to make decisions and then learning the necessary skills involved in the game to raise performance. The TGFU approach is probably best described by Bunker and Thorpe’s explanation of the model. They describe the model as a “game centered games teaching where the WHY of game playing is taught before the HOW of skills to play the game. This process involves teaching children a modified or simplified game that is suitable for their physical, social and mental development. In such a game children gain an appreciation for the demands of an adult game. This appreciation invites the children to realize tactical awareness of how to play a game to gain an advantage over their opponents. With such a tactical awareness children are capable of making appropriate decisions about "what to do" and "how to do it." For children, increased decision making encourages them to become more aware of the possibilities innate in their game playing. This awareness leads to more meaningful learning for children as they enter into practice situations to develop either a technical or a strategic manoeuvre practiced to gain a tactical advantage”(Bunker and Thorpe, 1986). There are 4 different categories that are involved in the model that Bunker and Thorpe just described: Target, Batting/fielding, Net/Wall, and Invasion/Territory. For this model and each of its 4 categories there are things called tactical problems. Tactical problems are areas of a game that need to be practiced to increase efficiency at the sport. There are 3 components to tactical problem that impact their understanding of the game that they play, these components are space of the object in play and the special awareness of others and game boundaries, the timing of movement and how to create more of it, and the force that would be need to be applied to an object or player in the game. 
Target Games: Are contests between one or more people (teams) that propel a playing piece on or in a target to score points. (Archery, Pool, Darts, Lawn Bowling)Tactical Problem for this category would be: The force that would needed to be applied to the object to reach its target
Batting/Fielding Games: Are competitive contests between one or more ( teams ) that attempt to score runs during innings( no time) so as both are given equal opportunity to score the points during these innings. (Baseball, Cricket, Kickball) Tactical Problem for this category would be: Timing the swing of the bat/ leg to hit/kick the ball
Net/Wall Games: Are contests in which the area of play is divided by a net or shared by both teams in order to put an object into the scoring area where the other team cannot return it. (Volleyball, Squash, Tennis) Tactical Problem for this category would be: Effective return of a serve
Invasion/Territory Games: Are contests in which opposing teams attempt to cross a line or into a goal area to score points (Basketball, Hockey Football) Tactical Problem for this category would be: Producing more space when attacking the goal
Great job!
ReplyDelete