Summary of Basketball Skills Rules Changes for 2016 - there are no changes for 2017 1. Day-of Event scratches in Unified events. If a participant (athlete or unified partner) scratch on the day of the event the teammate who is in attendance will be allowed to participate under the following conditions: a. In the Unified Division already assigned. b. Will complete the skills according to the rules of Unified Competition with an event volunteer. Substitutions will not be allowed. c. Will receive a participant ribbon. 2. Shooting Skills in Unified events. a. Basic Skills: Athlete & Unified Partner will take 1 shot from each of the spots and will alternate turns at each spot. b. Standard Skills: Athlete & Unified Partner will take 1 shot from each of the spots and will alternate turns at each spot. c. Advanced Skills: Athlete & Unified Partner will alternate shots for the duration of the event. The person not shooting will get the rebound and dribble out beyond the designated arch before shooting. 3. Advanced Skills. a. All events will be for a duration of 45 seconds. 4. Target Pass. a. Basic Skills: The distance to the receiver (volunteer/unified partner) will be 8 feet. The athlete will have 6 attempts and alternate between a chest pass and a one-bounce bounce pass. In the Unified event the unified partner will pass the ball back to the athlete and be scored the same way as the athlete. b. Standard Skills: The distance to the receiver (volunteer/unified partner) will by 12 feet. The athlete will have 6 attempts and alternate between a chest pass and a one-bounce bounce pass. In the Unified event the unified partner will pass the ball back to the athlete and be scored the same way as the athlete. c. Advanced Skills: The athlete will throw a chest pass at Cone A and a one-bounce bounce pass at Cone B. In the Unified event the unified partner will pass the ball back to the athlete the same way (Chest Pass to Cone A and One-Bounce Bounce pass to Cone B). 5. Events Offered. a. Based on the overall participants in last year s events and to help create meaningful and equitable competition the following chart has been created to identify which events an athlete or unified team can participate: Y indicates available to that level A gray box indicates not available to that level Event Basic Standard Advanced Level 10' 8' 6' 10' 8' 6' 10' 8' 6' Elementary Y Y Y Y Unified Elementary Y Y Y Y Y Middle School Y Y Y Y Y Unified Middle School Y Y Y High School Y Y Y Unified High School Y Y
These events provide meaningful competition for athletes to help develop their basketball skills. There are three different levels athletes can participate in based on their ability. There are three events that are part of each contest and they work on the following skills: Passing, Dribbling and Shooting. The athlete s final score is determined by adding together the scores achieved in each of these three events. Athletes (and Unified teams) will be divisioned according to their total scores from these three events. The rules for each of these events are described on the following pages. PARTICIPATION: Young Athletes (Ages Kindergarten-7): May only participate in the Young Athlete Demonstration Category offered at Special Olympics Delaware. These athletes participate in the Level 1: Basic Skills Competition but are not scored all receiving the same medal. Unified Partners (also ages Kindergarten-7) may participate in the Young Athletes Program. Events Offered. Based on the overall participants in last year s events and to help create meaningful and equitable competition the following chart has been created to identify which events an athlete or unified team can participate: Y indicates available to that level A gray box indicates not available to that level Event Basic Standard Advanced Level 10' 8' 6' 10' 8' 6' 10' 8' 6' Elementary Y Y Y Y Unified Elementary Y Y Y Y Y Middle School Y Y Y Y Y Unified Middle School Y Y Y High School Y Y Y Unified High School Y Y Athletes age 8 years of age and older: May only participate in one of the below three Skills Levels. Athletes (with or without a Unified Partner) may register for ONE of the following at a competition based on the above chart: Level 1: Basic Skills Competition: Speed dribble, Target Pass, 3-Spot Shot This INDIVIDUAL event is offered for athletes and Unified Partners who do not possess the mobility skills to advance the ball while dribbling. Athletes in Young Athletes & MATP will participate in these events. Level 2: Standard Skills Competition: 10-meter dribble, Target Pass, 6-Spot Shot This INDIVIDUAL event is offered for athletes and Unified Partners who have not scored 62 points or higher in this event. Those with a score of 62 points or higher must compete in the Level 3: Advanced Skills Competition. Level 3: Advanced Skills Competition: 12-meter dribble, Perimeter Shooting, Catch and Pass This INDIVIDUAL event is for athletes and Unified Partners who have scored 62 points or more in the Category 2: Individual Skills Competition events. This is an advanced skills event participants who are advanced in skill should be entered into this event.
Athletes in the following Age Groups can only compete using the basket height & ball size described in the following graph: Young Athlete Program (ages 5-7): 6 ft. baskets only Mini Ball Youth Ages (ages 8-12) see chart on previous page 28.5(women s) Junior Ages (ages 13-15) see chart on previous page 28.5(women s) Intermediate Ages (ages 16-21) see chart on previous page 29.5(men s) Adults (ages 16-21) see chart on previous page 29.5(men s) REGISTRATION PROCEDURES For the Season: Each school program will need to submit a Letter of Intent by the due date set by Special Olympics in order to be eligible to participate in a particular year. For Competition: Each program will submit a Final Competition Registration Form as their registration for the specific competition they will be attending. This form will require preliminary scores for athletes ages 8 and over. Scores should be submitted in points and are the sum of the three events in the respective competition (remember to convert dribbling times to points). Only one score per athlete/unified team is submitted. o Preliminary Scores should be acquired through competition experience at practice o o Scores for each event must fall within the range indicated on each page When providing scores through team s own practice the scores submitted should be taken from trials taken within 2 weeks of registration deadlines Trials should be conducted in a competition like atmosphere Conduct multiple trials and submit the best time Do not assist the athlete physically or verbally (you will not be able to prompt at the event) UNIFIED PARTNERS & UNIFIED EVENTS Both the athlete and Unified Partner will contribute to the overall score of the team. Each will have an important role in the success and final score for the team. Thus it is important that the athlete and Unified Partner train consistently as a team throughout the training season. See rules for each event on the role the Unified Partner and the athlete will perform during the event. Day-of Event scratches in Unified events. If a participant (athlete or unified partner) scratch on the day of the event the teammate who is in attendance will be allowed to participate under the following conditions: o Will compete in the Unified Division already assigned. o Will complete in the skills event according to the rules of Unified Competition with an event volunteer. Substitutions will not be allowed. o Will receive a participant ribbon. Unified teams are to only be constructed and registered as 1 Athlete and 1 Unified Partner. DO NOT REGISTER MORE THAN 1 ATHLETE AND 1 UNIFIED PARTNER PER TEAM.
LEVEL 1: BASIC SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 1 of 3) NOTE: Young Athletes and MATP Athletes will participate in BASIC SKILLS EVENTS ONLY. For Young Athletes & MATP Athletes there is no score taken. These will be performing the skills as a demonstration. These participants receive 1 TOTAL medal (of all the same color) for their efforts in training and demonstrating their personal bests. Basic Skills Competition Event #1: Target Pass 1. Purpose: to measure an athlete s skill in passing a basketball. 2. Equipment a. One Basketball, 4 Cones, Floor Tape, Measuring Tape 3. Description a. The athlete must stand within the square. i. The leading wheel axle of an athlete s wheelchair may not pass over the line. b. The Volunteer/Unified Partner will stand 2.4 meters (8ft) in front of athlete on a line marked on the floor that is 3 meters long c. The athlete/unified Partner is given six (6) passes. d. The athlete/unified Partner will alternate between a Chest Pass and a One-Bounce Bounce pass. (Pass 1 = Chest, Pass 2 = Bounce, etc) 4. Scoring a. The athlete/unified team receives three points for passing the ball CORRECTLY and reaching the volunteer/teammate. b. The athlete/unified team receives one point if the volunteer/teammate catches the ball in the air while standing behind the line. c. The athlete s/unified team s score will be the sum of the points from all 6 passes by each participant.
LEVEL 1: BASIC SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 2 of 3) Basic Skills Competition Event #2: Speed Dribble 1. Equipment a. One Basketball, Measuring Tape, Floor tape or Cones, Stopwatch, Counter, Whistle 2. Set-up a. Mark a circle with a 1.5 meter (4 feet 11 inches) diameter. 3. Rules a. Athlete/Unified Partner may use one or both hands to dribble. b. Athlete/Unified Partner must either be standing or be sitting in a wheelchair or another type of chair with similar dimensions while competing. c. Athlete/Unified Partner starts and stops dribbling at the sound of the whistle. d. There is a 60-second time limit imposed. The objective is to dribble the ball as many times as possible during this period. i. In Unified events the athlete will dribble for 30 seconds and the Unified Partner will dribble for 30 seconds. e. Athlete/Unified Partner must stay in the designated circle while dribbling. f. If the basketball rolls out of the circle, it may be handed back to the athlete, who continues to dribble. g. Counting stops and the event ends when the basketball rolls out of the circle for the third time. 4. Scoring a. Athlete/Unified Partner receives one point per legal dribble within the 60 seconds.
LEVEL 1: BASIC SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 3 of 3) Basic Skills Competition Event #3: 3-Spot Shot 1. Purpose: to measure an athlete s skill in shooting a basketball. 2. Equipment: Two Basketballs, spots or floor tape, measuring tape 3. Description a. Three spots are marked on the floor. Start each measurement from a spot on the floor under the front of the rim. The spots are all marked as follows: i. #1 = 1 meter in front of the center of the rim ii. #2 = 1.5 meter (4 feet11 inches) to the left of #1 iii. #3 = 1.5 meter (4 feet11 inches) to the right of #1 4. In the Individual event the athlete attempts two field goals from each of three spots. The attempts are taken in any order. a. In the Unified event the athlete and unified partner will each take one shot from each of the spots. They will alternate at each spot. 5. Scoring a. For every field goal made at all 3 spots, two points are awarded. b. For any field goal attempt that does not pass through the basket but does hit the rim, one point is awarded. c. The score will be the sum of the points from all 6 shots.
LEVEL 2: STANDARD SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 1 of 3) Standard Skills Competition Event #1: Target Pass 12 ft 1. Purpose: to measure an athlete s skill in passing a basketball. 2. Equipment a. One Basketball, 4 Cones, Floor Tape, Measuring Tape 3. Description a. The athlete must stand within the square. i. The leading wheel axle of an athlete s wheelchair may not pass over the line. b. The Volunteer/Unified Partner will stand 3.5 meters (12ft) in front of athlete on a line marked on the floor that is 3 meters long c. The athlete is given six passes. 4. Scoring a. The athlete/unified team receives three points for passing the ball CORRECTLY and reaching the volunteer/teammate. b. The athlete/unified team receives one point if the volunteer/teammate catches the ball in the air while standing behind the line. c. The athlete s/unified team s score will be the sum of the points from all 6 passes by each participant.
LEVEL 2: STANDARD SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 2 of 3) Standard Skills Competition Event #2: Ten-meter Dribble 1. Purpose: to measure an athlete s speed and skill in dribbling a basketball. 2. Equipment a. Basketballs, Four traffic cones, Floor tape, Measuring tape, Stopwatch 3. Description a. The athlete begins from behind the start line and between the cones. b. The athlete starts dribbling and moving when the official signals. The official commands should be Ready, Set, Go. c. The athlete must cross the finish line between the cones and must pick up the basketball to stop the dribble. i. In the Unified Event the Unified Partner will then finish the event by taking the handoff from the athlete and dribble back to the start line. The Unified Partner must cross the start line and pick up the basketball to stop the dribble and the clock. d. The athlete/unified Partner dribbles the ball with one hand for the entire 10 meters (32 feet 9 3/4 inches). i. A wheelchair athlete must alternate, taking two pushes followed by two dribbles for legal dribbling. e. If an athlete/unified Partner loses control of the ball, the clock continues to run. The athlete/unified Partner can recover the ball or if the ball goes outside the 1.5 meter lane, the athlete/unified Partner can either pick up the nearest back-up basketball. 4. Scoring a. The athlete will be timed from the signal Go to when he/she crosses the finish line between the cones and picks up the basketball to stop the dribble. If Unified Event the clock will stop after the Unified Partner crosses the start line and picks up the ball. b. A one-second penalty will be added every time the athlete/unified Partner illegally dribbles (e.g., two-hand dribbles, carries the ball, etc.). c. The athlete/unified Team will receive two trials. Each trial is scored by adding penalty points to the time elapsed and converting the total to points based on the Conversion Chart. 5. The athlete s/team s score for the event is the best of the two trials converted into points. (see top of page)
LEVEL 2: STANDARD SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 3 of 3) Standard Skills Competition Event #3: 6-Spot Shot 1. Purpose: to measure an athlete s skill in shooting a basketball. 2. Equipment a. Two Basketballs, spots or floor tape, measuring tape 3. Description a. Six spots are marked on the floor. Start each measurement from a spot on the floor under the front of the rim. The spots are marked as follows: i. #1 & #2 =1.5 meter (4 feet11 inches) to the left and right plus 1 meter (3 feet 3 1/2 inches) out. ii. #3 & #4 =1.5 meter (4 feet11 inches) to the left and right plus 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) out. iii. #5 & #6 = 1.5 meter (4 feet 11 inches) to the left and right plus 2 meters (6 feet 6 3/4 inches) out. 4. The athlete attempts two field goals from each of six spots. The attempts are taken at spots #2, #4 and #6, and then at spots #1, #3 and #5. a. In the Unified event the athlete and unified partner will each take one shot from each of the spots. They will alternate at each spot. 5. Scoring a. For every field goal made at spots #1 and #2, two points are awarded. b. For every field goal made at spots # 3 and #4, three points are awarded. c. For every field goal made at spots # 5 and #6, four points are awarded. d. For any field goal attempt that does not pass through the basket but does hit the rim, one point is awarded. e. The score will be the sum of the points from all 12 shots.
LEVEL 3: ADVANCED SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 1 of 3) Advanced Skills Competition Event #1: 12m Dribble 1) Set-Up: An area of the basketball court (preferably along a side line or down the center line), six cones, floor tape, and four basketballs (one that the athlete is provided initially, two others that are for back-up in case the basketball bounces away, and one more to continue the test). 2) Contest: (Time: 45 seconds for one trial.) A player is instructed to dribble the ball while passing alternately to the right and to the left of six obstacles placed in a line, 2m (6' 6 3/4") apart, on a 12m course. The player can start to the right or to the left of the first obstacle but must pass each obstacle alternately, thereafter. When the last obstacle is passed and the FINISH line reached, the player puts the ball down, sprints back to the START for the next ball, and repeats the slalom. The player continues until 45 seconds have elapsed. If a player loses control of the ball, the clock continues to run. The player recovers the ball or picks up the nearest back-up ball and may re-enter at any point along the course. A) In the Unified Event the Unified Partner and Athlete will alternate attempts through the slalom. When the player puts the ball down at the finish line the next player will go. Once the player puts the ball down they must return to the start line on the outside of the course. 3) Scoring: One point is awarded each time a cone is passed. For example, if the player successfully dribbles the ball from the starting line, weaves in and out through the entire obstacle course one time, and places the ball down at the finish line, a score of five has been achieved. The player must use legal dribbles (one hand) and must have control of the ball in order to get credit for that cone successfully passed. The player must put the ball down and bring it to a controlled stop upon reaching the finish line. Failure to do so will result in the loss of a point. The player's/team s score is how many cones that are successfully passed in 60 seconds. 4) Staging: Volunteers administer the test and are not to interfere with any player who is performing the test. Volunteer A will give a basketball to the player who will take the test, ask him/her if ready, will then say, "Ready, Go," and will count how many cones the player passes in 45 seconds. Volunteers B and C who are standing behind the extra balls will retrieve and replace the basketball whenever it goes out of play. Volunteer D will time and record the athlete's score. Each volunteer is to administer the test and manage their area only.
LEVEL 3: ADVANCED SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 2 of 3) Advanced Skills Competition Event #2: Perimeter Shooting 1) Set-Up: A goal, the official NGB free throw lane, floor tape, and two basketballs (one that the athlete is provided initially, another that is for back-up in case the basketball rebounds away). 2) Contest: (Time: one trial of 45 seconds.) A player stands at the juncture of the free throw line and lane, either to the left or right. The player dribbles toward the goal and attempts a field goal of his/her choice outside the 2.75m (9') arc. This attempt must be taken anywhere outside the 2.75m arc marked off by a dotted line. (This arc intersects with the bottom of the free throw restraining circle and is measured by standing centered directly below the backboard.) The player then rebounds the basketball (made or missed shot) and dribbles anywhere outside the arc before attempting another field goal. (A player must return to the spot of a rebounded shot and dribble outside of the arc if he/she did not dribble out originally.) The player shall make as many field goals as described above in a single, one minute trial. a. In the Unified Event the Athlete & Unified Partner will alternate shots for the duration of the event. The person not shooting will get the rebound and dribble out beyond the designated arc before shooting. 3) Scoring: Two points are awarded for each field goal made within the 45 second trial. 4) Staging: Volunteers administer the test and are not to interfere with any player who is performing the test. Volunteer A will give a basketball to the player who will take the test, ask him/her if ready, and then say, "Ready, Go," and will count how many field goals the player makes in one minute. Volunteer B who is standing behind the extra ball will retrieve and replace the basketball whenever it goes out of play. Volunteer C will time and record the athlete's score. Each volunteer is to administer the test and manage their area only.
LEVEL 3: ADVANCED SKILLS COMPETITION (pg 3 of 3) Advanced Skills Competition Event #3: Catch and Pass Ball Feeder (Volunteer/ Unified Partner) Cone C O Spare Ball sitting on tee Scorer Ball collector 3m 3m Cone A Athlete Cone B Court Sideline 3m apart Purpose: To measure an athlete s skill in receiving a pass and then properly making a return pass. 1) Equipment: 3 Cones, 1 Tee, 2 Basketballs, Floor Tape, Airhorn/whistle, Scorebench and Clock Two strips of tape 600mm long are laid across the court sideline 3 meters apart at Cones A & B. Cone C is laid out 3 meters from each end of the sideline forming a triangle. A small cross made of tape is laid in the middle of Cones A and B where the athlete stands holding the basketball ready to begin the exercise. The ball feeder stands behind Cone C. In the Unified Event the Unified Partner will be the feeder. A spare ball is placed on a tee near Cone C. 2) Description: On go, the athlete passes the ball to the feeder and moves quickly to either cone A or B. As the athlete approaches or reaches the end line the feeder passes the ball to the athlete to catch. The athlete MUST have at least ONE foot over the end line at the point of catching the ball. The athlete must catch the ball, then pass it back to the feeder from behind the end line. One or both feet can be grounded but both should be behind the line at the moment of passing the ball back to the feeder. The athlete will throw a chest pass at Cone A and a one-bounce bounce pass at Cone B. In the Unified event the unified partner will pass the ball back to the athlete the same way (Chest Pass to Cone A and One-Bounce Bounce pass to Cone B). When the athlete has passed the ball, he/she moves quickly to the opposite cone to receive the next pass The athlete continues passing, moving along the line and catching the ball for 45 seconds 3) Timing: 45 seconds for one trial. 4) Scoring: 1 point is scored for each good pass made to the feeder (the pass must be catchable) 1 point is scored for each good catch made by the athlete (i.e. no fumbles) The athletes must have the ball under control or no point can be scored