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As one of the world's most popular sports, basketball is a big favorite in Special Olympics. Athletes learn teamwork while improving their
athletic ability. Special Olympics basketball includes over 69,000 athletes in over 40 countries, including every US program. As in all Special
Olympics sports, basketball teams are grouped in competition divisions according to the athletes’ and team’s ability level, age, and gender.
Basketball was first contested at the 1968 Special Olympics International Games. By the 1995 World Games, nearly 600 athletes from 40
countries entered the competition. There were 31 men’s teams, 18 women’s teams, and 10 Unified Sports® teams. Additionally, about 100
athletes competed in individual contest events. These events are for the lower ability athletes and include the target pass, ten meter dribble, and
spot shot.
Unified Sports® teams combine athletes with and without mental retardation onto one team. This allows brothers and sisters as well as peers to compete with their
family member, schoolmate, colleague, and/or friend with mental retardation.
Coaching Tip
One of the biggest challenges for a Special Olympics basketball coach is to assist athletes in learning concepts. In basketball, one such
concept concerns the court. At the offensive end of the court, athletes are to shoot; at the defensive end of the court, athletes are to prevent
the opponent from scoring.
The coach's challenge is to make concepts concrete in order to affect learning. In this case, one successful way is to use a clipboard with a
diagram of the basketball court to identify the offensive and defensive baskets.
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While at the team’s bench, instruct the athletes to stand behind the coach and look at the diagram. During the first
half of the game, the shooting basket is at the opposite end of the court.
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Point to the basket on the board and then to the basket at the far end of the court. Ask the athletes to point to the
basket at which they will be shooting.
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The athletes will then take the court and perform their warm-up routine.
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At the end of the warm-up, take the athletes to the other end and
instruct them to take their defensive positions.
During the intermission before the second half, assemble the athletes at the bench as was done before the game.
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Ask the athletes where they were shooting by pointing to the basket.
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Now rotate the board as the athletes watch the shooting basket changing to the opposite end of the court.
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Ask the athletes to point to the basket at which they will now shoot.
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Instruct the athletes to take the floor and go through the warm-up routine as before.
Athlete Tips
Many times it is difficult to have the proper hand placement on the ball to create power and accuracy in shooting. But effective hand placement for a one-handed
shot can be created in a very easy way.
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Place the ball on the floor in front of the shooting-hand side.
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Place the shooting hand directly on top of the ball.
Place the non-shooting hand on the side of the ball (thumb is pointing forward).
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Pick the ball up to shooting position so that the basket is sighted over the middle of the ball; the elbow is underneath the ball.
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Bend the legs, then jump and reach for the basket.
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Result: making more shots than missing because of effective hand placement and follow through!
Events
The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics basketball competitions. As an international sports organization, Special Olympics has
created these rules based upon the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) and the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFSHSA)
Rules for Basketball. FIBA rules are employed in all international competitions; NFSHSA rules are employed in US competitions. However, whenever either is in
conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules apply.
Competition is held in the following events:
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Team Competition (5-on-5 Full Court)
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Half Court Team Competition (3-on-3)
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Unified Sports® Competition
The following events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability:
Celebrities
Every National Basketball Association (NBA) team, as well as many university conferences and individual schools, have been long-time supporters of Special
Olympics basketball. Julius Erving (Dr. J) of the Philadelphia 76ers was the first to step forward back in 1968. Pete Babcock, General Manager of the Atlanta
Hawks, has hosted a coaches clinic while Special Olympics athletes watched the pros practice. This clinic also included the professional players instructing and
coaching the athletes in skills stations and team play. Other NBA stars have also supported Special Olympics such as Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Dan Majaerle, and
Danny Manning.
Each year at the Men's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final 4 Championships, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) conduct
a clinic for local Special Olympics athletes. At the Women’s NCAA ) Final 4 Championships, the NCAA All Americans also conduct a clinic for local Special
Olympics athletes.
Coaches Resources
International Governing Body:
http://www.fiba.org
US Governing Body:
http://www.usabasketball.com
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