rules-first approach
noun phraseUK /ˈruːlz fɜːst əˈprəʊtʃ/
US /ˈruːlz fɜːrst əˈproʊtʃ/
A way of doing things where you learn and follow the rules before you start.
The chess club uses a rules-first approach, so new players learn how the pieces move before they play a game.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A teaching style that explains the rules of a subject before giving examples or practice.
Her rules-first approach to grammar means students memorize the patterns before writing sentences.
3. A design method that sets strict rules for how something must be built before any building begins.
The team took a rules-first approach to the game, writing all the scoring rules before designing the levels.
4. A management style that relies on clear written rules to guide behavior.
The new manager's rules-first approach made expectations clear from day one.