What is an Invasion Game?
Invasion games are team games where the purpose is to invade the opponent’s territory and score a goal or point.
These are typically fast-paced games that need teamwork in order to control the ball, keep possession, move into a scoring position, and prevent the opposition from scoring.
Teams share the same playing area as they attempt to both score and prevent the other team from scoring. Invasion games are the most strategic types of games with many transferable skills.
These include sports where the ball is being carried or caught across a line, thrown, or shot into a target /hoop, or hit with a stick or foot into a specific target area (Pearson &Webb 2008).
Examples of Invasion Games
Rugby Hockey Castles Basketball Soccer/Football Water Polo Lacrosse Ultimate Frisbee What are the
Basic Skills in Invasion Games
● Passing: throwing, kicking, or passing a ball or other item.
● Receiving: catching, cradling a ball with the feet, or receiving a ball /object with a stick.
● Dodging: meaning to maintain personal space, making sure not to collide with other players of objects.
● Change of Direction: change the way the body is traveling
● Traveling in Multiple Direction: being mobile; going forwards, backwards to either side, and to all diagonals.
● Speed and Agility: being quick and flexible.
● Spatial awareness: recognize your position and see where you are in relation to the playing of the game.
● Change of speed: being able to change speed, e.i. slow to fast when necessary.
● Anticipation: Guessing where the ball or play might go. While, anticipation is not a necessary skill it can be extremely valuable when playing defense.
