Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Sports

Title: Basketball: Team Skills Basketball

Source: Special Olympics International Basketball Sport Rules, Facilitation Techniques in
Therapeutic Recreation (3rd Ed. ) John Dattilo, Alexis McKenney
Equipment: Basketball
Activity Description: Basketball is one of the top sports that is enjoyed by all ages and abilities.
The purpose of this activity is to focus on the individuality, encouraging growth in skills and
accomplishment. It offers continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate
courage, experience joy and participate amongst others. The game is made up of two halves
consisting of five rounds each. Consisting of five members, participants are given one
opportunity at each of the five positions. Each attempts to catch the ball and then throw it
accurately to the player stationed at the next position. The therapist/official will hand the ball to
the player in position one to begin the round. The player in position one throws the ball to the
player at position two so and so forth. The player at position two throws the ball to the player at
position three. Have the participant continue that sequence until the ball reaches the player in the
fifth position. Participants may pass the ball in any way as long as it is passed in numerical
sequence. When the ball reaches the player in position five, the participant has one attempt to
shoot the ball in the hoop. Athletes stationed in position five shall only be given one attempt at
scoring. After the field goal the round ends, the second team will start their round. After each
round have the participants rotate in numerical sequence to the next position. This way everyone
has a chance to shoot the ball after each round. The teams will receive one point for each correct
pass and successful catch, two points for each successful field goal and bonus point if it was a
successful round of passing, catching and successful field goal. The team with the highest score
is the winner.
Adaptations: Participants with Traumatic Brain Injury: Damages from a TBI can result in,
impairments that interfere with the ability to perform basic functions. Functions include walking,
talking, thinking, knowing, recalling and understanding. With cognitive limitations, basketball
can be adapted by simplifying the rules of back court violations, carrying etc. Bounce passes are
also allowed. If the ball is thrown past an athlete, the athlete or official is allowed to retrieve the
ball, return to their position before throwing the ball. The sport is also adapted for participant by
allowing peers to assist during the game if a participant is in a wheelchair.
Participants with Lower extremity amputations: This physical limitation reduces height and
mobility and ability to participate in basketball altogether. The adapted game Team Skills
Basketball allows players to stand in positions to reduce heavy amounts of movements. When
movement is needed basketball is adapted by allowing the use of prosthetics and mobility
devices such as wheelchairs during the game. Also lowering the height of the basketball hoop
allows players to increase the opportunity for success.

Dattilo, J., & Mckenney, A. (2000). Facilitation techniques in therapeutic recreation (2nd ed.).
State College, PA: Venture.

Special Olympics. (n.d.). Team Skills Basketball Upload. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from
http://www.specialolympicsga.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Winter-Games-Team-SkillsBasketball.pdf
TBI Types. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2016, from http://www.headinjury.com/tbitypes.htm

Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Exercise

Title: Yoga: Breathing techniques, postures, and Savasana or relaxation.
Source: American Council on Exercise' Group Fitness, Yoga Outlet, Yoga Journal.com
Equipment: Yoga mat
Activity Description: Yoga is a form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and
breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The different components which are poses
combined with deep breathing and relaxation or meditation . The purpose of this activity is to
effective way to increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance. Before
starting make sure the space that is being used is quiet and still. Have participants get down onto
the mat sitting in their most comfortable position. Breathing techniques are the first component
and the foundation of this activity. First is shallow breathing where participants breathe through
the nose, inhaling for a count of four, then exhale for a count of four. Try doing this for 1-2
minutes. The next technique is Alternative Nostril breathing. In a comfortable seated pose, have
them hold the right thumb over the right nostril, inhaling deeply through your left nostril. At the
peak of inhalation, pause covering the left nostril with the ring finger, and then exhaling through
the right nostril. In abdominal breathing have participants place one hand on abdomen and take a
deep breath inhaling through the nose. Inflate abdomen with enough air to create a stretch. Pause
2-3 seconds then exhale. After the breathing techniques, go into postures by having participants
stand. Begin with a basic posture, the Mountain pose. Participants will stand tall, feet together,
shoulders relaxed, evenly distributing weight to the ground. Have them raise their hands
overhead, palms clasped with arms straight reaching up toward the ceiling. For the extra stretch,
have participants go in the opposite direction bending towards the mat. Make sure knees are
locked in to get a full stretch. In the posture, downward dog, participants will be in the childs
pose, lowering the hips to the heels, forehead to the floor and arms overhead with palms on the
mat. Have feet hip-width apart, pressing palms flat into the mat. Have them raise their hips in the
air where shoulders and their back line up straight. At any time, they can take a break by resting
in childs pose, and then going back into downward dog again. Have participants now stand on
their mat to complete the tree posture. Have them Stand on a leg; bring the foot up to the ankle.
If comfortable at the ankle they can challenge themselves to raise their foot up to the shin, or
thigh even. It all depends on their flexibility. For each posture the position should be held for five
to ten breaths to get a decent work out in. To conclude the postures and the facilitation, end with
the savasana also known as the corpse posture. Have participants lie down on their back,
relaxing the body and mind. During this pose, direct participants to close their eyes, breathe
naturally, and eliminating all tension from their body. Allow them to remain in this posture for 10
to 20 minutes.
Leadership considerations: A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist would function as the
instructor for this activity as they would lead out the facilitation. It is recommended that the

therapist is a certified yoga instructor. This increases credibility and the basic knowledge of
facilitating yoga. This certification also helps as there would have more of an understanding an
knowledge in leading a yoga class and offering direction if need be. There is no set ratio of staff
to participants. According to the American Council on Exercise' Group Fitness Instructor
Manual, a prudent instructor should allow a class to be only as large as can be competently
monitored. Before starting the session, therapist must be able to assess a patient to consider
Contraindications the levels. This assessment will help in knowing if the exercise activity needs
adapting. Safety topics should include listening to your body and stopping if there is pain. Yoga
is a no judgment exercise and it is okay if one is unable to do a posture. Enlighten participants to
enjoy the practice of yoga and be grateful to the body for everything that it is capable of.
Adaptations: Participants with Parkinsons disease: Parkinson's disease is a physical disorder that
progresses slowly. Indications of this include weakness, difficulty walking, stiff muscles and
tremors. Stiff muscles can inhibit ones flexibility while exercising yoga. To ensure a painless
session, this exercise can be adapted using yoga blocks. It is used as added support for flexibility
and balance, helping to find ease and stability in yoga postures. The block can be used during the
mountain pose when raising hands overhead. Clasping hands may be difficult with stiffness and
tremors so raising the block overhead allows participants to still benefit from the stretch without
issues. Bending down towards the mat can offer some inflexibility because of stiff muscles. Have
participants place block in front of legs pressing your palms into yoga blocks to take away
pressure from the muscles. The block can also be used during savasana in the supine position. If
elevation of the head or lower extremities is needed, place the block in the desired area to avoid
pressure.
Obesity: Obesity is medical condition where excess body fat accumulates to the extent that it
has a negative effect on the body. Large thighs, substantial bellies and generous breasts may
make some of the poses impossible without modification. Postures will need to be adapted for
these especially postures like the mountain pose. These postures can be adapted by having
participants hold on to a sturdy chair for support or even have them seated in the chair where
balance is secure while raising hand overhead ad bending. The savasana can also be adapted with
the chair. Have participant sit comfortably in chair, eyes closed, and letting go of all muscle
tension, allowing body to relax and rest.
Adaptations References
-IDEA Health & Fitness. (2005, January). The size-sensitive schedule. Understanding and
Working with Special Populations, 11-12.
-Le Verrier, R., RYT. (n.d.). Yoga & Parkinson's. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from
http://www.apdaparkinson.org/yoga-parkinsons/
-Lisa Martin, CTRS Yoga Instructor