Game Face Slides GAME FACE
Winning, Losing, and Being a Good Sport
Why I Play Games
Having Fun: I play games to have fun and spend time with my friends.
Winning & Losing: In every game, someone wins and someone loses. This is part of playing.
"It's just one game. I can play again later!"
How I Feel When I Lose
Losing can feel frustrating. I might feel a knot in my stomach or heat in my face.
It is okay to feel sad or mad.
What I Can Choose To Do
A "Big Outburst"
This makes friends not want to play with me.
• Yelling or screaming
• Throwing game pieces
• Quitting mid-game
A "Reset"
This shows I am a good sport.
• Taking 3 deep breaths
• Counting to 5 slowly
• Saying "Good game"
What I Can Say
"Good game, friend!"
"Nice win. You played well."
"Thanks for playing with me."
When I use these words, my friends want to play again!
My Game Plan
1
FEEL IT
I notice the anger in my body.
2
PAUSE IT
I close my eyes and breathe.
3
SAY IT
I say "Good game" and walk away.
"I am a good sport. I am fun to play with."
Quick Check!
If I lose a game and feel very angry, what is the best thing to do?
A) Throw the dice on the floor
B) Take 3 deep breaths and say "Good Game"
C) Tell my friend they cheated
Reset Playbook Social Story The Reset Playbook
A Guide to Playing Games with Friends
I like to play games with my friends. We play board games, card games, and sports. The main reason we play is to have fun together.
Winning Feels Great
When I win a game, I feel happy and proud. It is okay to smile and feel good about my hard work.
Losing is Part of Playing
In every game, someone has to lose. This time, it might be me. That is part of the rules.
When I Lose...
I might feel angry, sad, or frustrated. My body might feel hot or tight.
I will try NOT to:
Scream or yell
Throw game pieces
Say mean things
Quit the game early
My Graceful Game Plan
1
Stop and Breathe
Take three deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2
The Magic Words
"Good game! You played well."
3
The Reset Walk
If I am still upset, I can say, "I need a 2-minute break," and walk to a quiet spot.
My Good Sport Commitment
If I feel angry when I lose, my favorite quiet spot to "Reset" is:
Student Signature:
When I lose gracefully, people want to play with me again!
Final Score Exit Ticket Final Score Exit Ticket
Show what you know about being a good sport!
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
1 How does your body feel when you lose? Circle ALL that apply:
Hot Face
Fast Heart
Sad Stomach
2 Your friend just won the game. What should you say?
"You only won because you got lucky."
"Good game! You played well."
"I don't ever want to play with you again."
3 If you feel a "Big Outburst" coming, what is one thing you can do to stay calm?
4 Why is it important to be a good sport?
So people will want to play with me again.
Because it makes the game more fun for everyone.
Great job showing your Game Face!
Sideline Coach Guide Sideline Coach Guide
Teacher Resource: Game Face Lesson
Grade Level
6th Grade (ASD Support)
Focus Skill
Emotional Regulation
Duration
30-45 Minutes
Delivery Instructions
1
Visual Introduction (Slides)
Use the Game Face Slides to start a conversation. Focus heavily on Slide 3 (The "Ouch" of Losing) . Ask students to share how their body feels when they lose. This builds interoceptive awareness which is often a challenge for students with ASD.
2
Shared Reading (Social Story)
Distribute the Reset Playbook Social Story . Read it aloud while students follow along. Practice the "Three Deep Breaths" strategy together as a class. Have students role-play the "Magic Words" scripts with a partner.
3
Guided Practice (The Game)
Play a short, low-stakes game (e.g., Uno or a simple card game). Before starting, remind them of their "Game Face." Monitor for physical signs of frustration and prompt the use of the Reset Playbook before an outburst occurs.
ASD Support Tips
Concrete Language: Avoid metaphors. Use direct descriptions like "My hands feel like they want to squeeze."Processing Time: Allow 5-10 seconds for a student to respond after losing before prompting them for the "Magic Words."Visual Reminders: Keep the Social Story on the student's desk during all future gameplay sessions as a visual anchor. 
