Basketball is a favorite among Special Olympics athletes. In addition to team competition, Special Olympics Basketball also offers individual skills competition, which allows athletes to train and compete in basic basketball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team play. These events include target pass, ten-meter dribble and spot shot. A player's final score is determined by adding the scores together achieved in each of the events.

Athletes can also participate in Unified Sports® basketball team competition. Unified Sports® is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition.

In Unified Sports® basketball, the roster must contain a proportionate number of Special Olympics athletes and partners; during competition, the line up shall never exceed three athletes and two partners at any time (two Athletes and one Partner for 3-on-3). Each team shall have a non-playing head coach responsible for the line-up and conduct of the team during competition. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

Basketball Facts

• Basketball was first contested in 1968 at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Ilinois, USA.
• At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, 496 Special Olympics athletes from 42 countries competed in basketball.
• Basketball training and competition is offered by 52 Special Olympics Minnesota delegations. To find a delegation in your area that offers basketball, click here.
• Participation in at the state level has grown from 233 athletes in 1995 to 772 athletes in 2006.  To find out more about the basketball tournament at Spring Games, contact Pam Bergerson.
• In addition to competition at the Spring Games, athletes can compete in area basketball competitions in Area 3, Area 4, Area 5, Area 6, Area 7,  Area 9, Area 10, Area 11 and Area 12.

Team Competition 
Half-Court Basketball: 3-on-3 Competition

The following events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:

       Individual Skills Contest
             Target Pass
             Spot Shot
             10 Meter Dribble  

National Governing Body:
Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA)

Special Olympics Incorporated: Basketball Rules (updated January 2008)

Special Olympics Minnesota: 
Basketball Rules Clarification Memo

Other Resources

Basketball Participation by Delegation, Area and Level – Use this link to find a Special Olympics Minnesota basketball team in your area.

Basketball Recertification Test

Basketball Coaches Training Schools

Basketball Instruction (tips)

Coaching Tip – Dribbling With Both Hands                                                                                By Bill Leavens, Special Olympics Pennsylvania Sports Training Director

Coaching Tip – Helping Athletes Transition to the Next Level Within the Sport of Basketball

Coaching Tip – Rebounding

Eight Week Basketball Training Plan

Sample Basketball Team Responsibility Checklist