Basketball
Winter (January through March)
Email Contact:
db5515585@msn.com
Overview:
Basketball is a very popular sport in St. Mary’s County. We have several basketball teams from all ages and abilities. We offer basketball programs for school ages (elementary, middle school, high school) and adults – and ALL abilities. We have both skills and team competitive programs. – and ALL abilities. We have both skills and competitive programs.
Our programs hold practices where athletes prepare for competition against other teams at Qualifiers and at State Games. Attendance at qualifiers and at State Games often requires travel out-of-county. Our athletes compete at many different levels of ability.
Basketball consists of Skills, 3v3, and 5v5 teams. The team types are Player Development Unified (PDU), Traditional, and Unified.
3v3 is half court play while 5v5 is full court play
Each level is broken down by age as well as skill level. This age group is for the School age athletes.
Age Grouping - All team members should be closely matched in age:
Elementary School - (8-11)
Middle School - (12-15)
High School - (16-21)
Young Adult - (22-49)
Adult, Senior - (50 and Over)
Ages should be kept within a grouping as identified below:
Within 3-5 years for athletes 21 years of age and under.
Within 10-15 years for athletes 22 years of age and over.
Equipment:
Will be provided
Uniform Requirements:
Will be provided
Practice Overview:
Basketball is a very popular sport in St. Mary’s County. We have several basketball teams from all ages and abilities. We offer basketball programs for school ages (elementary, middle school, high school) and adults – and ALL abilities. We have both skills and team competitive programs. – and ALL abilities. We have both skills and competitive programs.
Our programs hold practices where athletes prepare for competition against other teams at Qualifiers and at State Games. Attendance at qualifiers and at State Games often requires travel out-of-county. Our athletes compete at many different levels of ability.
Basketball consists of Skills, 3v3, and 5v5 teams. The team types are Player Development Unified (PDU), Traditional, and Unified.
3v3 is half court play while 5v5 is full court play
Each level is broken down by age as well as skill level. This age group is for the School age athletes.
Age Grouping - All team members should be closely matched in age:
Elementary School - (8-11)
Middle School - (12-15)
High School - (16-21)
Young Adult - (22-49)
Adult, Senior - (50 and Over)
Ages should be kept within a grouping as identified below:
Within 3-5 years for athletes 21 years of age and under.
Within 10-15 years for athletes 22 years of age and over.
Training:
Skills Basketball
This program is one that teaches the basics of basketball to the least skilled athletes. These are the athletes that need more instructions and are trying to learn the sport. There are two levels of competition.
Level one is:
Target Pass
10 Meter Dribble
Spot Pass
Level two is:
Catch & Pass
12 Meter Dribble
Perimeter Shooting
Once they master these functions they are considered for advancement to a team team (either PDU, traditional or Unified depending on the skill level attained).
Traditional Basketball
The traditional teams are comprised of athletes with intellectual disabilities. They have demonstrated the ability to play the sport and can complete with others without any on-court instructions.
There are two levels of the traditional basketball:
3v3-half court play for those that don’t have the stamina for the full court play
5v5-full court play
The object is to move people up to a higher level of training and competition if possible.
Unified Basketball
Team sports bring people together. Unified sports are programs that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports.
The unified partner does:
Serve as the on-court instructors and facilitators to the athletes learn to play basketball
Give verbal & visual instruction to the athletes on their team
Dribble
Pass
Use common sense to restrain themselves from taking the game out of the athletes’ hands
The unified partner cannot:
Shoot
Steal the ball
Set screens
Play defense against the opposing team
Rebound (unless the ball comes directly to them)
Compete against an athlete for a loose ball
The second type is a mixture of athletes both with and without intellectual disabilities. The unified partners are there to play the sport alongside the SO athletes. These teams are higher functioning and know the sport and can play without on-court instructions. There is a unity of both intellectual and non-intellectually disabled players.
Location:
TBD
Timing:
TBD
Activities:
TBD
Eligibility for State Competition:
TBD
State Competition:
TBD
Participation in Other SOMD-SMC Sports:
TBD
Athlete Participation Contract:
Not Required.
Housing Requirements for State Competition:
TBD
Other Considerations:
None.
Volunteers:
We always need help for a successful season. We are a 100% volunteer coaching and management staff. Parents who wish to help, please register as volunteers. (See information at the bottom of this page).
Only registered SOMD-SMC athletes and registered volunteers are allowed in the training area. Parents and spectators who are not registered as volunteers MUST watch from outside the training area.
Anyone with an intellectual disability age 7 and older are invited to become a Special Olympics athlete. ATHETES MUST BE AGE 8 PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED TO COMPLETE. Athletes age 7 are allowed to train with the other athletes but just cannot compete.