Visually impaired individuals can play most sports the same as able-visioned individuals. Modifications and alterations needed to play basketball during the Special Olympics range from playing court modifications to helping others learn the rules of the game. You will need to obtain the Special Olympics rulebook regarding basketball. Teaching basketball to the visually impaired can provide many benefits, professionally and athletically.
Step 1
Schedule a team meeting at which you verbally summarize the basic principles of the most important and easily understandable rules of the game. Ask students to repeat what they heard to ascertain their understanding. Tell the participants that learning the basics of basketball plays an essential role in becoming a better athlete while achieving team goals.
Step 2
Discuss the mechanics of the game, including dribbling, rebounding, defending, passing and shooting. Discuss such intricacies as number of players, what uniforms look like, the role of the referees, scoring, fouling and other rules violations.
Step 3
Accommodate the sport for the visually impaired athlete by making modifications without changing the rules. Use a brightly-colored ball that contains bells, thus making the ball easier to locate for the visually-impaired athlete. If a brightly-colored ball is not available, wrap a standard basketball in bright fluorescent tape. Dim the overhead lights to increase ball visibility.
Step 4
Blow your whistle whenever an athlete goes out of bounds, starts to dribble or stops dribbling. Explain why you blew the whistle.
Step 5
Adapt the basketball court and playing field by interweaving the basketball net with brightly-colored tape. Outline the basketball backboard with fluorescent tape to increase the backboard's visibility. Highlight the playing field borders by placing fluorescent tape around the court. Place a metronome behind the backboard and explain that the metronome means there is a net and backboard there, making the net easier to locate.
Step 6
Alter communication styles depending upon your athlete's personal preferences. Individuals learn in different ways, so in addition to demonstrating maneuvers, provide verbal instruction about what is happening and/or combine all methods.
Step 7
Provide encouraging verbal instructions throughout the game to increase the confidence levels of the athletes. Publicly commend good movements or plays. Relay negative feedback in a constructive manner that improves performance.
Step 8
Direct the athletes in proper warming up and cooling down periods. Have them stretch by touching their toes prior to playing basketball in order to increase muscle warmth and prepare the athlete's body for more advanced exercise. Tell them to cool down by walking slowly for five minutes. This will help prevent injury.
Tips and Warnings
- Encourage participation in a home training program on at least three days each week. Home programs work on basic skills, fitness activities, warm up and cool down exercise, agility and conditioning maneuvers and proper nutrition. Schedule a home training orientation with the athlete, friends and family to get everyone involved. The more encouragement and support the athlete receives, the higher degrees of success can be achieved. Place safety first. When properly done, modifications to the sport increase safety levels for athletes. Place same-skill level athletes together during practice to increase confidence.
- Have the athletes drink plenty of water while playing basketball. The game may not be for everyone and may cause more damage than benefits. Some medical conditions do not warrant playing basketball.
Things You'll Need
- Whistles
- Fluorescent backboards
- Fluorescent tape
- Metronome
- Basketballs with chimes
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