Invasion Games

First Author(s): Hillary Johnson

Second Author(s): Rachel Mungal
Note: Everything must be referenced according to the APA Guide. References are
added in the text (short version) and at the end of the page (long version)

General Information

Invasion games are team games in which the purpose is to invade the
opponents territory while scoring points and keeping the opposing team's points
to a minimum, and all within a certain time period. These include sports where
the ball is being carried or caught across a line, thrown or shot into a target, or
struck with a stick or foot into a specific target area (Pearson & Webb, 2008).
Invasion games are the most strategic types of games with many transferable
skills (Koleric, R).
This encompasses a wide range of sports:

Football
Rugby
Basketball
Lacrosse
Hockey
Ringette
Bandy
Soccer (otherwise known as football in places other than North America)
Ultimate Frisbee
Handball
Polo
Water Polo
Chess*
Field Hockey

Transferable Skills
The following is a list of some transferable skills that are common among most, if not all
Invasion/Territory games.

Sending an object:For example, throwing a ball or a disk, kicking a

ball or passing a puck, ball or ring with the appropriate apparatus.
Receiving an object:For example, catching with the hands, cradling
a ball with the feet, or receiving an object with a stick.
Dodging:Dodging typically refers to maintaining personal space,
making sure not to collide with other players or objects.
Change of direction:Changing the direction your body is traveling
is an extremely important skill to all games in this category.

Traveling in multiple directions:An important part on both the

offensive and defensive side of these games is being mobile; going forwards,
backwards, to either side, and to all diagonals.
Speed & Agility:An important skill in many games within the
category of invasion/territory and in other categories as well.
Spatial awareness:Spatial awareness is a key concept within this
category, and is useful in many other categories. Through TGfU, students can
easily develop the complicated skill of recognizing their position with association
of the object of play (ball, Frisbee, etc) and their opponent. Spatial awareness
might be one of the most important skills a student could possess when
attempting to master more complex games.
Change of speed:Being able to change speed is a skill as well as a
strategy within the invasion category.
Anticipation:While anticipation is not a necessary skill it can be
extremely valuable when playing defense in these types of games.
Footwork:Having good footwork will not only improve balance, it will
aid in learning all of the above skills.
(Griffin & Butler, 2005)

Strategies common to all Invasion

Games
Offense Level of Complexity

Maintain Possession 1-Low Level

Avoid defensive players 2- Medium Level
Create space for team mates 4- High Level
Create space for yourself 4- High Level
Attack goal 4- High Level

Defense

Defend goal 4- High Level

Defend space 5- High Level
Gain Possession 3- Medium Level
Defensive positioning
Playing area coverage
Predicting opponent's move
(PlaySport, n.d.)

Common Tactics

To create space while invading your opponents territory

To contain space while the opposition is invading your territory
To use a net, goal or target for scoring purposes
(Butler et. al, 2003)
Strategies used in invasion/territory-type games include:
Strategy
Tactic
Offensive
Possession of ball/object
Attempting to move in the direction of
the goal Moving and creating open
spaces
Attacking the goal
Defensive
Staying between the offensive player
and the goal
Use hands, feet, stick or body to prevent
a pass or scoring attempt
Protecting a goal (e.g., net, end zone)
Regaining possession of an object
(Play Sport, N.d)

References
Griffin, L.L., Butler, J.I. (2005) Teaching Games for Understanding: Theory, Research, and
Practice Human Kinetics. Retrieved October 26, 2008, fromhttp://books.google.ca/books?
id=3OmCjmk-MEoC&printsec=frontcover
PlaySport. (No Date). Key Tactical Solutions. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from
http://www.playsport.net/en/keytactical.cfm
PlaySport. (No Date). Transferable Skills. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from
http://www.playsport.net/en/Transferable-Skills.cfm
Pearson, P., Webb, P. (2008) An Integrated Approach to Teaching Games for
Understanding (TGFU). Retrieved October 28, 2008,
fromhttp://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=edupapers
Butler, J., Griffin, L., Lombardo, B. & Nastasi, R. (Ed.). (2003). Teaching Games for
Understanding in Physical Education and Sport. Reston (VA): NASPE.