Steve Mitchell, PhD, is associate dean in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and a professor of physical education, at Kent State University in Ohio. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Loughborough University (England), where Teaching Games for Understanding was developed. He earned a doctorate in teaching and curriculum at Syracuse University. An avid soccer player and licensed coach, he has employed a tactical approach in teaching and coaching at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels since 1982. Mitchell is a member of SHAPE America and the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Judy Oslin, PhD, is a professor emeritus at Kent State University. She received her undergraduate and master's degrees from Kent State and earned a doctorate in sport pedagogy at Ohio State University. Oslin has more than 35 years of experience as a physical educator and teacher educator. She has used the tactical approach with elementary, middle school, high school, and university students. Oslin has also presented numerous papers and workshops focusing on implementation of the tactical approach and the Game Performance Assessment Instrument at the international, national, regional, state, and local levels. Having retired in 2007, she now enjoys playing games (particularly golf and pickleball), traveling, hiking, camping, and staying fit by walking and weight training.

Linda Griffin, PhD, is a professor in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University, her master’s degree from Ithaca College, and her doctorate from Ohio State University. She has more than 35 years of experience as a physical educator and teacher educator. Her research and scholarly interest for over 20 years have focused on the teaching and learning of sport-related games through a games-centered approach grounded in constructivist learning. Throughout the United States and abroad, Linda has presented numerous papers and workshops focused on the tactical approach. Griffin served on the planning committee for the first Teaching Games for Understanding Conference in New Hampshire in 2001. She is a member of SHAPE America, National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS), and American Educational Research Association (AERA). Griffin has also served as chair for the Curriculum and Instruction Academy, president of the Research Consortium, and a reviewer for various professional journals, including the Journal of Teaching in PE and Research Quarterly.

Part I. Tactical Games Teaching

Chapter 1. Tactical Games Explanation and Review
Rationale for a Tactical Approach
Game Frameworks
Game Performance
Levels of Tactical Complexity
Teaching Tactical Awareness and Skill Acquisition
Implementing a Tactical Games Approach Using This Book
Summary

Chapter 2. Preparing Students for a Tactical Games Approach
Training Students to Play Small-Sided Games
Teaching Appropriate Sport Behavior
Teaching Rules and Routines
Teaching During Game Play
Physical Activity Considerations in Games Teaching and Learning
Pedagogical Considerations and Strategies for Promoting Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity
Summary

Chapter 3. Getting Started With Tactical Games Teaching
Conceptual Framework for Planning Tactical Teaching
Putting the Planning Framework Into Action
The Teacher and the Change Process
Implementing Practices
Summary

Chapter 4. Transfer as a Principle of Games Teaching and Learning
Transfer of Tactical Knowledge in Games
Implications for Curriculum Development
Ultimate as an Example of Transfer in Action
Summary

Chapter 5. Tactical Games Curriculum Model
Assumptions Underpinning a Tactical Games Curriculum
Conceptual Framework
Model-Based Instruction
Summary

Chapter 6. Assessing Outcomes
Assessment Beliefs
Assessment Strategies
Assessing Learning Outcomes
Summary

Chapter 7. Aligning a Tactical Games Model With Content Standards
Content Standards in the United States
Content Standards in England
Content Standards in Australia
Content Standards in Singapore
Tactical Games Alignment With the International Baccalaureate
Summary

Chapter 8. Digital Technology for Teaching Tactical Games and Enhancing Skill Development
Digital Planning
Tactical Awareness and Skill Development
Formative Assessment and Self-Assessment
Summary

Chapter 9. Teaching and Learning Social Justice Through Inventing Games
Revisiting the True Meaning of Competition
Teaching Social Justice and Democracy in Action
Summary

Chapter 10. Integrating Social and Emotional Learning Into a Tactical Games Approach
Overview of Social and Emotional Learning
Overview of SEL Teachers and Their Classrooms
Situating Social and Emotional Learning Within a Tactical Games Approach
Summary

Part II. Lesson Plans for a Tactical Games Approach at the Elementary Level: Building Sport Foundations

Chapter 11. Invasion Games at the Elementary Level
Elementary Invasion Games Tactics
Levels of Elementary Invasion Game Complexity
Modifications for Elementary Invasion Games
Progressions for Teaching Elementary Invasion Games
Scope and Sequence
Level I
Level II
Level III
Teaching Cues for Invasion Game Skills
Summary

Chapter 12. Net and Wall Games at the Elementary Level
Elementary Net Games Tactics and Levels of Game Complexity
Modifications for Elementary Net and Wall Games
Progressions for Teaching Elementary Net and Wall Games
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Chapter 13. Striking and Fielding Games at the Elementary Level
Elementary Striking and Fielding Games Tactics
Levels of Elementary Striking and Fielding Game Complexity
Modifications for Elementary Striking and Fielding Games
Progressions for Teaching Elementary Striking and Fielding Games
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Summary

Chapter 14. Target Games at the Elementary Level
Elementary Target Games Tactics and Levels of Game Complexity
Modifications for Elementary Target Games
Progressions for Teaching Elementary Target Games
Bowling as an Exemplar for Teaching Target Games
Target Games Lessons
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Part III. Lesson Plans for a Tactical Games Approach at the Secondary Level: Developing Sport Performance

Chapter 15. Soccer
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Level V
Summary

Chapter 16. Basketball
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Summary

Chapter 17. Lacrosse
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Summary

Chapter 18. Rugby
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Chapter 19. Flag Football
Level I
Level II
Summary

Chapter 20. Volleyball
Volleyball Tactics
Teaching Volleyball
Levels of Tactical Complexity
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Level V
Summary

Chapter 21. Badminton
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Chapter 22. Tennis
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Chapter 23. Softball
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Summary

Chapter 24. Cricket
Level I
Level II
Level III
Summary

Chapter 25. Golf
Safety
Instruction Tips
Tactical Reality Golf
Level I
Level II
Summary

Chapter 26. Bowling
Organization of Lanes and Equipment
Instruction Tips
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Summary