Invasion games are team games where the purpose is to:
- invade the opponent’s territory or zone to score goals or points;
- protect your territory to prevent the opposition from scoring goals or points.
They are played within a certain period, with an equal number of players on each team. Invasion games are usually fast-paced, focusing on teamwork, keeping possession, attacking, and defending.
What are some examples of invasion games?
Invasion games are standard for children in school as they encourage teamwork. Some popular invasion games include:
Netball
Netball is a non-contact team sport that includes players attempting to score points by getting the ball into their opponent’s net. Each team consists of seven players, and the game is played on a rectangular court. The Netball World Cup took place every four years and was founded in 1963.
Hocessential
Hocessential is another invasion game that is a non-contact sport. Players must hit a hard ball into their opponent’s goal with a hocessential stick. Hocessential has one of the most significant courts of all the invasion games, making it a pretty tiring game!
Basketball
Basketball allows players to bounce the ball to reach their opponent’s net. There are only five players per team on the rectangular court at any time, and players are allowed to run into any area of the court.
Tag Rugby
It is an excellent sport to introduce children to rugby as it’s a non-contact version. In this invasion game, children wear belts with tags that a player on the opposite team can remove. Players can score points by placing the rugby ball over the try line.
Football
One of the most played invasion games in the world, football is played by two teams of 11 players. In football, it’s against the rules to use your hands to play the ball. There are also substantial football competitions, such as the World Cup and the UEFA European Championships.
What are the benefits of invasion games for children?
There are lots of positive reasons to play invasion games with children. They include developing new skills and physical benefits such as:
Sense of fair play: This applies to values such as honesty, self-control, bravery, and persistence. It’s also associated with how players should treat people equally, show self-control while communicating with others (e.g., staying calm under pressure), and have respect for referees and opponents.
Teamwork: Invasion games are played as teams with a shared purpose or goal – to score the most points and win the game. This type of learning experience is fantastic for children. These teamwork skills can be applied in many other areas of their education and adult life.
Friendship: Tying into teamwork skills, playing invasion games, and working together towards a common goal is a lovely way to encourage friendships in your class. These friendships will no doubt encourage children to participate in sports more often, leading them to enjoy physical activity and go on to live healthy and active lives.
Overall fitness: Invasion games require players to play a game for a set amount of time and are usually fast-paced. This sport will benefit children to get plenty of physical activity in their week and improve their fitness.
