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Spring/Summer Sports
Esports
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) offers year-round sports training. Training is the essential element of Special Olympics. Our athletes are well-prepared physically and psychologically before they enter competitions by completing the mandatory eight weeks of training prior to competing.
- Cross-training has become increasingly popular among our athletes and coaches. Many of our athletes compete in a different sport every season -- an athlete who plays soccer in the fall often competes in speed skating in the winter and plays basketball in the summer.
- All training is offered free of charge to our athletes and their families.
Competition
Special Olympics competitions use a unique divisioning system based on age, gender, and ability. By assigning athletes to divisions commensurate with their ability, every athlete is given a reasonable chance to win.
- Athletes compete in competitions at the local level and also have the opportunity to go on to sectional and state-level competitions. World Games take place every two years alternating between Summer and Winter Games.
- SOPA offers Unified Sports®, which combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition. The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) provides comprehensive motor activity and recreational training for people with severe intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities.
- Sports Guides, Rules and Information – provided by Special Olympics International
All sports begin in January unless otherwise noted.
Culminating event - Summer Games
When: June
Where: Penn State University
All sports begin in January unless otherwise noted.
Culminating event – Summer Games
When: June
Where: Penn State University
Spring/Summer Sports Offered
Athletics
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Athletics was an event at the first Special Olympics International Games held in Chicago, Illinois in 1968. Athletics Training Season is usually from March to June.
- Baton “How To” Video
- Jav “How To” Video
- Shot Put “How To” Video
- Long Jump “How To” Video
- Athletics Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Athletics – Feet to Meter Conversion Chart
- Relays Exchanges Explained
- Relay Drills
- TurboJav – Skills & Drills
- TurboJav- Level 1 – Basic Throwing Skills & Drills
Basketball
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Basketball was first contested in 1968 at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois. Basketball events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Basketball is a summer sport and training season is usually from January to June.
- Basketball Assessment for Individuals
- Basketball Rating Team Summary Form
- Basketball Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Basketball – Lineup Cards
- Everybody Plays
Equestrian
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At the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian sports competition; one year later equestrian was added as an official Special Olympics sport. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
- Equestrian Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Helmet Safety Fact Sheets (CDC)
Golf
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Golf made its debut at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. The training season is usually beginning in March and, in PA, culminates at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
- Golf Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- 2020 Pre-Season Golf Coaches Webinar
- Golf – Scorekeeper and Caddie Instructions
- Golf – Bunker Shot
- Golf – Level 1 Score Card
Gymnastics
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Special Olympics Gymnastics was first included in 1972 as an official sport in the Third International Special Olympics World Summer Games, when 11 athletes competed in tumbling and free exercise routines. Gymnastics Training Season is usually year round with a culminating event for PA athletes at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Gymnastics Resources
- Artistic Gymnastics Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Women’s Scorecard
- Men’s Scorecard
- Rhythmic Scorecard
- Rhythmic Gymnastics Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
MATP
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The Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program is designed for athletes who are unable to participate in official Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities. The Motor Activity Training Program is designed to prepare athletes — including those with severe or profound intellectual disability and significant physical disabilities — for sport-specific activities appropriate for their ability levels.
Roller Skating
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Roller Skating was inaugurated at the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Indiana, USA. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event at Fall Festival in November.
- Roller Skating Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
Softball
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Special Olympics softball was introduced in 1983. Softball events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Softball is a summer sport and the training season is usually from March to June.
Softball Resources
- Softball Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Softball Uniform Requirements
- Softball Skills Assessment for Individuals
- Softball Rating Team Summary Form (Team Rating)
- Baserunner Home Plate Diagram
- Softball – Individual Skills Final Score Sheet
- Softball – Individual Skills Rules
- Softball – Preliminary Individual Skills Score Card
- Softball – Team Lineup Cards
- Helmet Safety Fact Sheets (CDC)
- 20 Defensive Softball Drills
- Everybody Plays
Swimming
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Swimming was an event at the first Special Olympics International Games held in Chicago, Illinois in 1968. Swimming Training Season is usually year round with a culminating event at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Swimming Resources
Tennis
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Tennis became an official Special Olympics sport in 1987. The training season is usually from October to June. For a Tennis Service Representative in your area, contact USTA Middle States – USTA Middle States.
Tennis Resources
- Tennis Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- ITN Assessment 10.1
- ITN Individual Evaluation Sheet
- ITN Assessment Guide Level 5 HP
- Tennis Ratings for 2018
- USTA Middle States News Magazine