Minds On
Tactics
Tactics are simple strategies or skills we use to achieve a goal in games and activities.
Communicating with teammates, maintaining a ready position, and sending an object are all examples of tactics.
Explore the following carousel of different games.
In soccer, we use our feet to dribble the ball.
In tennis, we use a racquet to hit the ball.
In basketball, we use our hands to dribble the ball.
We can use our hips to swing a hula hoop.
Brainstorm
Game tactics
Choose one of the games from the previous carousel then respond to the following question.
- What are 3 different tactics or skills that are used when playing this game?
You can record your ideas on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.
Action
Active games
Physical activities and games can be put into groups that have similar tactics.
The five categories of active games are:
- target games
- strike and field games
- net and wall games
- territory games
- individual games
We are now going to explore the skills and strategies involved in each category of active games.
Let’s get warmed up!
Always be sure to do your safety checks before starting an activity.
Before you begin, check:
Safety
Before you begin:
Warm Up
Reach and climb warm up
Warmups are simple activities that slowly increase our heart rate and get our muscles and joints ready!
Let’s warm up with sky reaches and mountain climbers.
Sky reaches
- If possible, stand or sit up straight with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Swing arms upward and rise up on tippy toes.
- Reach arms up, keep muscles engaged, and hold for 15 seconds.
- Lower heels and return arms back to the starting position.
- Repeat 10 times. Remember to breathe!
Mountain climbers
- If possible, get on the ground with hands on the floor shoulder-width apart and legs long.
- Keep arms straight and back flat. This is a plank position.
- Jump right foot forward so right knee is close to elbows.
- Quickly switch feet and jump left foot forward so left knee is close to elbows.
- Repeat 20 times, switching feet one at a time in a running motion.
Optional: Speed up the mountain climbers.
Categories of active games
Active games can be grouped into categories. Each category groups games that have similar tactics.
Press the following tabs to access descriptions and examples of the five categories of active games.
Target games are physical activities that involve aiming and sending an object towards a target.
In target games, players score by avoiding obstacles and hitting a target. Bowling, archery, golf, and curling are all examples of target games.
Strike and field games are physical activities that involve sending an object using body parts or equipment, then collecting and returning the sent object.
In strike and field games, one team or player strikes against another team or player that fields. The teams or players will switch who is striking and who is fielding based on the rules. Baseball and cricket are both examples of strike and field games.
Net and wall games are physical activities that involve sending an object using body parts or equipment over a net or against a wall.
In net and wall games, players send an object towards a target area that an opponent defends. Players try to make it difficult for their opponent to return the object. Table tennis, volleyball, badminton, and squash are all examples of net and wall games.
Territory games are physical activities that involve controlling an object to keep it away from opponents, then sending the object into a target.
In territory games, teams or players share the playing area and object. Everyone attempts to score and prevent their opponent from scoring at the same time. Basketball, hockey, soccer, and water polo are all examples of territory games.
Individual games are physical activities that can involve just one person using body parts or equipment. With individual games, you can engage in these activities while interacting with others. Dancing, hula hooping, and skipping are all examples of individual activities.
Individual games
Some games can be played individually with or without equipment.
These individual activities encourage us to practise our fundamental movement skills. We can use these skills when we play other types of games.
Mix-it-up movement activity
In this activity, we will practise our movement skills.
Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!
Choose any four of the following movements skills:
|
Hop without moving your arms. |
Jump in a zigzag pathway. |
|
March with high knees. |
Move around on your tiptoes. |
|
Shuffle sideways. |
Switch between walking and jogging. |
Now, practise each of your selected movement skills for 30 seconds.
Aiming games
In this next activity, we will practise our aiming skills.
Complete one of the following target games. You can complete both games if you like.
Floor target game
Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.
Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!
- 1 soft ball or object that can be thrown safely
- 1 bucket, bin, basket, or box
- If possible, move to an open space and place your bucket, bin, basket, or box on the ground. This is your target.
- Move a short distance away from the target. This is your starting point.
- Send your object using an underhand throw into your target.
- If you missed, try again. If your object goes in, move the target a further distance from your starting point.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4, but now send your object using an overhand throw.
Wall target game
Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.
Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!
- 1 soft ball or object that can be thrown safely
- tape
- If possible, move to an open space near a wall.
- Use tape to mark 3 horizontal lines at different heights on the wall. These are your targets.
- Send your object using an underhand throw and hit one of the targets. Continue until you have hit all three targets.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4, but now send your object using an overhand throw.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
When you are finished with the games, complete the My Game Strategies activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Cool Down
Slow locomotion cooldown
We’re now going to cool down with slow locomotor movements.
Remember to take slow and deep breaths as you allow the heart rate to return to a normal pace.
- Choose a locomotor movement that you enjoy. It can be walking, jogging, shuffling, skipping, or any other locomotor movement of your choice.
- Now, move slowly around a clear space while repeating one of the following movements for 1 minute:
| A) Touch shoulders with hands, then reach arms over head. Repeat. |
| B) Wave arms from side to side and forward like a tree. |
| C) Raise knees slightly, then take giant steps in slow motion. |
Consolidation
Let’s review!
We are now going to review our knowledge of game tactics.
For each category of active games, select the corresponding definition.
My game tactics lesson
Now it’s your turn to create a lesson about game tactics.
Complete the My Game Tactics Lesson activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
When you are finished creating your game tactics lesson, share it with a peer or adult, if possible.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.