Conditioned play

Conditioned play is where an artificial restriction is placed upon players so that they are forced to perform a specific technique, skill or tactic.

Conditioned games can be a very effective and versatile tool. They can be used to motivate and deepen learning. Participants have the opportunity to be creative in their decision making but also to be able see the effect of those decisions.

A conditioned game is simply where the rules of the game are altered to encourage players to act in a certain way.

Conditioned games have many learning advantages.

1. Allowing players to practice skills in context. Learners get to see how the skill is dependent on many contributing factors and moments. Promoting links with movements, space creation and other players.
2. Recognizing triggers; one of the most crucial aspects and advantages is the learner selecting the correct ‘moment’ in which to use the skill. Conditioned games allow creative practice, reflection, adaptation and the observation of the effect.
3. Allowing learners to recognize the purpose of the skill through its effect on the game or situations within it.
4. Allowing learners robust transfer into actual full game situations.

In the school setting it also allows excellent differentiation as groups can be placed in small sided games and different conditions altered to reflect the stage of their learning. This can help make learning to be accessible and motivating to the learner.

For conditioned games to be at their most effective they need to be:

• simple and clear;
• the condition is accessible;
• the condition encourages skills and tactics to be used at the correct moment;
• groups should play with others of similar stage of learning;
• with groups at a later stage of learning having one team being unaware of the condition allows a more ‘real’ game feel and better transfer;
• open questioning: either through taking individuals aside and allowing the game to continue or quick ‘stop-freeze’ questioning of the group can lead to rapid progress.