October 18th 2012 - Lesson Review

A small review of today's lesson.

The most interesting part of the lesson today was when we discussed the Teaching Games For Understanding (TGfU). The reason I found this particular part interesting was because it taught me about using a different approach to coaching with children. Instead of using the traditional approach;

- Warm Up
- Technique Drills
- Game
- Cool Down.

The TGfU approach was a proposed way of putting the WHY of a game before the HOW. (Hopper and Kruisselbrink, 2002). The TGfU approach uses the game to teach rather than using technique drills. Along with this structure we can stop the game to ask questions and provide teams or individuals with challenges/tasks. By using this approach it helps to keep learning/participation fun and enjoyable for all players of all abilities. I am looking forward to using this approach instead of the traditional approach.

In my opinion, using this approach would be very beneficial because by using the game to teach, it will help the participants see mistakes evolve throughout the game and also gives them the opportunity to tackle mistakes themselves, this is known as an intervention known as problem-solving. This approach also helps to enhance skill and technique whilst transferring the practice into match-like situations.

I would find this tool very useful in my future coaching sessions as it something new to try and would be very useful in ensuring sessions are fun but the players still learn from it.

References
Hopper, T and Kruisselbrink, D. 2002. Teaching Games for Understanding: What does it look like and how does it influence student skill learning and game performance?

 

Teaching Games For Understanding (TGfU) Resource. Available online at <http://www.sportnz.org.nz/Documents/Communities%20and%20Clubs/Coaching/TGfU_Resource.doc>