20 week games based scheme of work
INSIDE THIS DECK:
The Game Sense Curriculum is designed for PE teachers, Heads of PE and curious coaches who want to move beyond traditional, sport-by-sport teaching and create engaging, inclusive, and thinking-led PE lessons and sessions.
Rather than teaching one sport for six weeks at a time, this curriculum develops pupils’ understanding of games through student-centred, inquiry-based learning. Skills, tactics, and decision-making are taught within the game, using modified activities that ensure every pupil can participate, progress, and feel part of the learning.
This approach aligns with modern PE expectations by focusing on tactical awareness, fundamental movement skills, and pupil ownership, while remaining easy to deliver for both specialist and non-specialist teachers.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
The curriculum is organised into four learning blocks with principles of play, each ending with a Check & Challenge Week:
- Finding the free player
- Creating and using space
- Attacking and defending outnumbered
- Speed of play and momentum
- Support, switching play, and team defence
Assessment That Makes Sense in PE:
Pupils are assessed using three clear, game-relevant principles:
-
Moving with and without the ball
-
Regaining the ball
-
Sharing the ball
This ensures assessment is inclusive, observable, and aligned to learning outcomes, allowing all pupils to demonstrate understanding not just technical ability. These concepts apply across all invasion games, helping pupils transfer learning between activities rather than starting again with each new sport.
What’s Included:
- 20-week structured curriculum built around transferable game principles
- Clear lesson progressions using modified games
- Check & Challenge Weeks to assess understanding and promote student voice
- Games-based assessment framework focused on learning, not just performance
- Teacher guidance and questioning prompts to support intentional teaching
Why PE Departments Choose This Curriculum:
- Supports student-centred and inquiry-based learning
- Improves engagement and behaviour through ownership
- Reduces planning time for teachers
- Creates consistency across year groups and staff
- Inclusive for mixed ability classes
- Aligns with modern PE and curriculum frameworks
Who This Is For:
- PE teachers delivering games-based lessons
- Heads of PE looking for curriculum consistency and progression
- Departments moving towards a modern, inclusive PE model
- Schools seeking transferable learning rather than sport silos
PERFECT WITH:
20 week games based scheme of work
Multi-sport
Add them to any sport and become a game changer
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Because we know the life of a coach and teacher
Global shipping
Since 2018, MatchPlay Cards have been shipped to 75+ countries
Grassroots to elite
Who doesn't love to play games? Use them with juniors and seniors
Multi-sport
Add them to any sport and become a game changer
Credit card plastic
Because we know the life of a coach and teacher
Global shipping
Since 2018, MatchPlay Cards have been shipped to 75+ countries
Grassroots to elite
Who doesn't love to play games? Use them with juniors and seniors
Know these guys? we do!
MatchPlay Cards are loved and trusted by the best.
We make you a game changer
Must have!
5/ 5
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
Improved communication
We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability
Liverpool Football Club
LOVE THEM!
The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.
Rugby Australia
Different problems to solve
I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads
John Lawson, Rangers FC
Really effective
I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety
Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching
Play, play, play!
MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play
Darren, Park Sports Project
Facilitate the problem solving
Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards
Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA
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