Play Smarter: How Game Strategy Teaches You About Life and Sport
Peer reviewed by Dr. Barry Wiens & Scott Rollo, PhD
Playing games isn’t only about running fast or scoring points. It’s also about thinking ahead, skills that matter both on the field and in everyday life.
When you play sports or games, it’s not just about running fast or hitting hard. A big part of playing well comes from using your brain—planning ahead, making quick choices, and working with your team. This is called strategy and tactics.
Understanding these can help you play smarter, enjoy the game more, and get better results.
What Are Strategy and Tactics?
Strategy is your big-picture plan. It’s the overall idea of how you want to play the game.
Tactics are the small, quick decisions you make during the game to follow that plan.
For example, in volleyball:
Your strategy might be to make the other team move a lot by serving deep and aiming for the sides.
Your tactics are things like choosing where to hit the ball, calling out for your teammates, or moving to help them.
Both strategy and tactics work together to help your team succeed.
Different Games, Different Thinking
All games ask you to solve problems, but the kinds of problems and solutions vary:
Territory and Invasion Games (soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee)
Move into open spaces, pass quickly, and know when to attack or defend.Net and Wall Games (volleyball, tennis, badminton)
Control the ball, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and use different shots to surprise them.Fielding and Striking Games (baseball, cricket, kickball)
Aim for open spots, run smartly, and communicate with teammates.Target Games (curling, bocce, archery, golf)
Plan each shot carefully, control your force, and think about the next move.Individual Pursuits (swimming, track, skiing)
Manage your energy, focus on technique, and compete with yourself.
Why Strategy Matters Across Sports
Once you start thinking strategically in one game, these skills carry over to others. For example:
Finding open teammates in basketball helps you do the same in floor hockey.
Watching your opponent’s moves in tennis helps you react faster in soccer.
It’s not about memorizing plays but learning to notice patterns, think ahead, and make quick decisions.
Life Lessons from Game Strategy: Thinking Ahead Beyond Sports
Playing games and sports teaches us more than just how to win or work with teammates—it helps us develop important skills we use every day in life.
Just like in sports, life often asks us to plan ahead, make choices, and solve problems. Imagine working on a big school project with friends. You need to figure out who does what, when to meet, and how to finish on time. That’s a lot like making a game plan in basketball or soccer—everyone has a role, and you need to think ahead to succeed.
Or think about a test coming up. You can’t just guess the answers—you have to study, decide what to focus on, and manage your time well. That’s similar to a player deciding when to take a risk or play it safe during a game.
In both sports and life, these strategies help you stay calm, work with others, and handle surprises without getting overwhelmed. Learning to plan and adapt makes challenges easier and helps you reach your goals.
Reflect and Grow
Can you remember a time when a smart move helped your team or improved your game?
What happened when you played without a clear plan?
Have you used a tactic from one sport in a different game or in your daily life?
How can planning ahead or working with others help you outside of games?
References:
Mitchell, S. A., Oslin, J. L., & Griffin, L. L. (2020). Teaching sport concepts and skills: A tactical games approach. Human kinetics.
Griffin, L. L., & Sheehy, D. A. (2013). Using the tactical games model to develop problem-solvers in physical education. In Critical inquiry and problem solving in physical education (pp. 33-48). Routledge.