Invasion Games
Tag games are games in which two or more players chase other players in an attempt to ‘tag’ them and score a point. The skills learnt in tag games develop to become important in many invasion games. The important outcome is being able to read the opposition.
Invasion games are games in which the aim is to invade an opponent’s territory and score a goal or point. These are typically fast-paced games that need teamwork in order to control the ball, keep possession, move into a scoring position, and prevent the opposition from scoring. Teams share the same playing area as they attempt to both score and prevent the other team from scoring.
Cooperative Games
Cooperative games are those in which players work with one another in order to achieve a common objective. The goal of a cooperative game is to reduce emphasis on competition and increase emphasis on the social aspects of working in teams and groups. Learning to cooperate includes a core set of skills needed in many other game forms.
Net/Wall Games
Net/wall games are games in which players send an object (e.g., ball, shuttle) over a net or against a wall so that it lands in an area that an opponent is defending. The aim is to make it difficult for the opponent to return the object or force them into a mistake.
Striking and Fielding Games
Striking and Fielding games are those in which one team can score points when a player strikes a ball (or similar object) and runs to designated playing areas while the other team attempts to retrieve the ball and return it to prevent their opponents from scoring.
Target Games
Target games are those in which players send an object (such as a ball or dart) towards a target area. Sometimes this may also involve avoiding obstacles, defending, guarding, or blocking the path of the opposition’s ball to stop them from scoring. Target games come in two forms. Opposed target games are ones, such as snooker or bowls, where the opposition’s play affects the next move. In unopposed target games, such as golf and darts, the outcome is not affected by what the opposition does.
Challenge Games
Challenge games are those in which players solve a particular problem or complete a challenge task. Players can either work individually or as part of a team. Challenge games provide the opportunity to focus on skills, including problem solving, managing risk, and working as a team, that are inherent to active and safe engagement in games as well as enjoying the sense of belonging and being challenged.