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Special Olympics offers training and competition opportunities in 30 Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older.  For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, Special Olympics provides a Young Athletes Program. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program.
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Direction Changes

Turning is actually accomplished using rotation, edging and pressure (with balance maintained throughout) at the same time. A proper stance should be maintained with the hands up in front.
 
 
Introducing Direction Changes (To be done on a flat surface)
 
At this point, it is a good idea to return to the flat surface to work on the movements that will be used when making a turn. Have the athlete assume a snowboard stance, and practice going from the neutral, centered position into the position for a toeside turn and then back. Follow this by going from a neutral stance into the position for a heelside turn, and then back. Once the athlete has mastered the movements, introduce the idea of turning rhythm. The athlete will start in a neutral stance, go to a toeside position (count to 2), then back to center (count to 2), to a heelside position (count to 2) and back to center (count to 2, then repeat cycle).
 
NOTE: Extra time should be spent at this level to be sure that the athlete is comfortable before progressing.
 
 
  1. Start the athlete in a centered neutral stance.
  2. Flex the knees and put pressure on the toes.
  3. Return to the centered neutral stance.
  4. Flex the knees and put pressure on the heels.
  5. Return to the centered neutral stance.
 
 
 
 
Error Correction Drill Reference
Athlete loses balance Keep knees flexed, bending at the knees and not at the waist

Eyes forward
Gas Pedal Drill
 
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