Basketball

As one of the world's most popular sports, basketball is a big favourite in Special Olympics. Athletes learn teamwork while improving their athletic ability. Special Olympics basketball includes over 69,000 athletes in over 40 countries. As in all Special Olympics sports, basketball teams are grouped in competition divisions according to the athletes and teams ability level, age, and gender.

Basketball was first contested at the 1968 Special Olympics World Games. By the 1995 World Games, nearly 600 athletes from 40 countries entered the competition. There were 31 mens teams, 18 womens 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-metre dribble, and spot shot.

This Basketball Guide can best be used to teach basketball skills, improve general body and eye-hand coordination, and increase the athlete's overall level of physical fitness. This guide comprises skills in passing, catching, dribbling, shooting, rebounding, and defensive and team play. In addition, coaches will find useful sections on a number of related subjects, including: agility drills, suggested offensive plays, lead-up activities, rules for basketball competition, an eight week training plan and tips on coaching techniques and program organization.

The game of basketball attracts a wide range of athletes with varying abilities. In its simplest form, basketball requires the athletes to learn a few, basic sports skills, including: handling a ball (passing,catching, shooting and dribbling), running and jumping. The game is played by two teams of five players. Teammates pass or dribble the ball into the opposing team's half of the court and attempt to put the ball in the basket. The team with the most points scored at the end of the game is the winner. Of course, defending one's own basket is as important a factor as scoring in the opponent's basket in winning basketball games.

Basketball is an excellent leisure activity because of the physical exercise, relatively simple sports skills and the team work involved in the game. By mastering the sports skills in this guide, the athlete will be able to participate in a life-long, recreational activity that is enjoyed by millions of people, worldwide, in community centers, schools, universities, church groups and recreation departments.

Calendar