Special Olympics Texas

FUNdamental Sports includes three core principles: Foundational Skills, Unified Partners, and No Limits. Together, these three concepts put the “FUN” in FUNdamental Sports.  This program establishes individualized programs for athletes ages two and older who, due to their physical and/or developmental abilities, are working on foundational motor skills to prepare them for possible competitions in typical Special Olympics events. As the athlete learns the sport  progressions, he/she comes closer to acquiring skills considered essential for participation in official Special Olympics competitions and daily life activities. FUNdamental Sports are also designed for athletes who are unable to participate in typical Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities. Through the inclusion of Unified Partners as one-on-one assistants, the athletes and partners have the opportunity to develop friendships. Additionally, the Unified Partners will have the opportunity to grow in their awareness of the athletes’ unique abilities. FUNdamental Sports athletes participate in a variety of sports that have been adapted to accommodate all ability levels. Participation is accomplished through use of adapted equipment and physical assistance that are matched to the individual’s level of need. Athletes are not limited in the number or types of equipment and assistance that is used in order to achieve success. 

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Volleyball shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Rules for volleyball found at http://www.fivb.org/. FIVB or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Volleyball or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Volleyball shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Athletics shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based World Athletics rules for athletics found at http://www.worldathletics.org/. World Athletics or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Athletics or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Athletics shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Powerlifting shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) rules for Powerlifting found at http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/IPF or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Powerlifting or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Powerlifting shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Tennis shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Tennis Federation (ITF) Rules for tennis found at http://www.itftennis.com/. ITF or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Tennis or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Tennis shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Football (Soccer) shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rules for football (soccer) found at http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html FIFA or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Football (Soccer) or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Football (Soccer) shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for the Topgolf game platform shall govern all Special Olympics Topgolf competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Topgolf found at https://topgolf.com/us/play-safely/ .Topgolf rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Topgolf or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Topgolf shall apply. 

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Golf shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Golf Federation found at http://www.igfgolf.org/ National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Golf or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Golf shall apply. Additional rules clarifications related to individuals with disabilities (for example visually impaired or wheelchair bound athletes) can be on found on the R&A or USGA website. 

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Bowling shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) Rules as well as World Bowling (WB) Rules. FIQ, WB or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Bowling or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Bowling shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Basketball shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Basketball Federation (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) (FIBA) rules for basketball found at http://www.fiba.com. FIBA or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Basketball or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Basketball shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Softball shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon World Softball Confederation (WBSC) Rules for slow pitch softball found at http://www.internationalsoftball.com/. ISF or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Softball or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Softball shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Swimming shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Swimming Federation (FINA) rules for swimming found at http://www.fina.org/. FINA or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Swimming or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Swimming shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Rhythmic Gymnastics shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) rules for rhythmic gymnastics found at https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/ FIG or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Rhythmic Gymnastics or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Rhythmic Gymnastics shall apply.

The International Federation for Bocce is Special Olympics Inc. and therefore the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Bocce shall govern all Special Olympics competitions.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Equestrian shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules for equestrian found at http://www.fei.org. FEI or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Equestrian or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Equestrian shall apply.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for flag football shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. Special Olympics has created these rules based upon rules from a national flag football organization.