Rationale

We have created 4 Floor Hockey lesson plans that are meant for a Grade 8 co-ed Physical Education class. Our lesson plans are based on Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) and focus on a game centered approach as opposed to developing fundamental skills. TGfU  utilizes modified or exaggerated games to emphasize player decisions and individual readiness through off-the-ball movements. Teachers often have a tendency to teach the “how” before they teach the “why,” which results in little success due to the emphasis on performance. This often produces players who are supposedly “skillful” but possess inflexible techniques and poor decision making skills and often makes them dependent on their teacher or coach. However, we believe that if an emphasis is placed on TGfU students will become more effective players because their decision-making and game sense will improve. TGfU can: instill greater interest and enjoyment, especially for those with a lower ability level; improve understanding and game sense, which can be transfered from one game to another; and improve tactical awareness and knowledge.

Reference

Bunker, D. and Thorpe, R. (1982). A model for teaching games in secondary schools. British Journal

    of Physical Education, 13: 5-8.

Bunker, D. and Thorpe, R. (1986). The curriculum model. In R. Thorpe, D. Bunker and L. Almond (Eds),

    Rethinking Games Teaching, Loughborough, Loughborough University pp. 7-10.