Off-the-Ball Movement
According to Griffin, Mitchell & Oslin (1997), when using the tactical approach game play becomes more than just specific motor skills and techniques. They offer a list of off-the-ball movements that are necessary in order to create tactical awareness in students:
“Making decisions
Supporting teammates who have the ball
Marking or guarding opponents
Covering teammates
Adjusting position as play unfolds, and
Ensuring adequate court or field coverage by means of a base position.”
In developing this approach to game play they argue that physical education classes cannot emphasize motor skill performance over tactical awareness because the amount of ball contact for each student in a game is only a few minutes but they must continually be moving off-the-ball in order to have success.
Off-the-ball movements can also include more specific plays and movements such as lunging, side step and running.
Through the tactical approach to games teaching it is possible to gives students a better understanding of game play within categories by teaching them to always be aware of movement off the ball.
