In variables such as perceived motor competence (PMC) and observed motor competence (OMC), research has investigated how motor interventions can produce positive effects. However, the effects of non-traditional pre-sport games (in the Costa Rican context) have been little studied. This research aimed to determine the effect of traditional (T) and non-traditional (NT) pre-sport games on PMC and OMC in Costa Rican primary school children. A total of 72 fourth-grade students from two Costa Rican public schoolsvoluntarily participated. The control group did not undergo any treatment, while the experimental groups were randomly assigned to the following treatments: traditional (T), non-traditional (NT), and mixed (T and NT). Each of the three groups participatedin 7 sessions of 80 minutes each, once a week. PMC was assessed using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence in Motor Skills for Young Children, and OMC was assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). It was found that the three experimental groups showed significant improvement (between measurements) in object control skills compared to the control group (F = 10.75; p= 0.001). For the remaining variables, no statistically significant differences (p> 0.05) were found between the groups and the measurements. It is concluded that a program of traditional, non-traditional, or a combination of both pre-sport games leads to significant improvements in object control skillsin this fourth-grade primary school population. It is recommended to introduce such activities in Physical Education lessons
