Special Olympics Basketball is basketball played by competitors with physical or mental disabilities.

Special Olympics basketball is a form of competitive basketball meant for athletes with physical or mental disabilities. Teams seamlessly alternate between defending and scoring, to create a fluid, easy to learn and easy to play game. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

The goal of Special Olympics basketball is to score more points that the opposing team by the end of regulation time. In individual skills competitions, the goal is earn points in individual competition and earn a combined higher score than the competition.

Five players on each team advance the ball up the court by either passing or dribbling. A player cannot move with the ball without dribbling. Excessive contact is not allowed, and when made, results in a foul. Players are allowed to commit a limited number of fouls, but if that limit is exceeded the player is removed from the game.

Basketball is one of the oldest Special Olympics sports, first contested at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois in 1968. At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, 496 Special Olympics athletes from 42 countries competed in basketball. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 239,782 Special Olympics athletes compete in basketball.

Basketball
Goal/Hoop/Baske

As is the case with any physical game, injuries are unpredictable. These can range from the minor (cuts and bruises) to the major (torn ligaments and broken bones).

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.

Assist - a pass to a teammate that leads directly to a field goal

Basket - consists of a metal rim with a corded net hanging off of it; attached to the backboard

Boxing Out - a player´s attempt to position his body between his opponents and the basket to get rebounds and prevent the opponents from doing so

Crossover Dribble - dribbling the ball across the body from one hand to the other

Fast Break - it begins with a defensive rebound by a player who immediately sends a pass toward midcourt to his waiting teammates; these teammates can sprint to their basket and quickly shoot before enough opponents catch up to stop them

Flagrant Foul - unnecessary or excessive contact against an opponent

Free-throw - an unguarded shot taken from the foul line by a player whose opponent committed a foul; worth 1 point

Jump Ball - where 2 opposing players jump for a ball the official tosses above and between them. The players then try to tap the ball to their teammates to gain possession

Rebound - when a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard after a shot attempt

Shot Clock - a clock that limits the time a team with the ball has to shoot it

Tip-off - the initial jump ball that starts the game

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Coach/Sports_Offered/Basketball.htm
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