Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Sport
Activity Title: Goalball
Source: Pedersen, S., & Greer, L. (2008). Listen Up: Goalball for All!. Palaestra, 24(1), 33-37. Equipment: Goalball- There are various weighted goalballs, the softer and lighter versions are usually used in adolescent settings or informal games. Blindfold/ Eye Shades-Blindfolds are used mostly in informal settings; however, both are needed to put all players at same playing level. Elbow/Knee Pads- Any protective equipment for elbows, knees, groin, head, and etc. are always welcomed to be used but not always necessary. Goals- Tape is often used to mark a goal area, or an actual goal net can be purchased for use during an actual competitive match. Positioning Rope- Help guide participant in knowing their location on the court, any type of string can be used during informal game (Goalball UK, 2016). Activity Description: Goalball is an organized sport activity credited with improving motor skills, social skills, and self-efficacy, while also providing an environment in which individuals with disabilities are able to achieve personal physical fitness goals. This sport is popular for being included in the Paralympics, now having its own official goalball. This is an indoor sport due to the need for a quiet environment and often practiced in a gymnasium or volleyball sized court (Pederson, 33). Depending upon the groups general level of function is, goalball may be played sitting down as a lead-up game or standing up. In the event of a game of sit goalball, participants are placed on the floor with the necessary assistance, sitting with legs stretched straight or crossed in front and back upright. Next, each participant is blindfolded, or in some cases will be assisted with putting on the protective eye shades that are often available (USABA, 2016). Since goalball is considered to be a competitive sport, there is one main goal. There are two teams, each with three players, in the game, and one team must roll the goalball into the goal area of the opposing team (Pederson, 33). The goalball is a tough, rubber ball that holds bells in it, so that you can get a sense of what direction the ball is going. Ideally, once one team has rolled the ball, the defending team should use the bells to figure out where the ball is in order to efficiently block it from entering their goal area. Whenever each team successfully gets the goalball into the opposing teams goal area, one point is rewarded. Finally, the winner is based upon who has scored the most goals.
Leadership Considerations: The coach or instructor of the game is
knowledgeable on how to mark the court appropriately for the game. There is always a warm up done prior to a game, where participants are usually instructed to do a few rounds of lead-up games to refine skills. Otherwise, there is not much instructor to participant contact during the game other than a transfer if participant is wheelchair bound (Goalball UK, 2016). Adaptations: Goalball is primarily for individuals with visual impairments. Often time positional ropes are taped to the floor to help guide participant in knowing their location on the court (USABA, 2016). Participants with Complete Blindness: Lead-up games are common for participants that are new to the game or have lost complete vision and would like to try a simpler task first. For example, Sit Goalball helps participants get comfortable with listening for ball. Star Pass is another game that is specifically aimed at improving the skill of passing. Students are placed in a star shaped pattern and are tasked with rolling the ball to another player, but only after that player has said the phrase indicating where they are on the court (Pederson, 36). Participants with Partial Blindness: Though these participants will be blindfolded during the actual game of goalball, it is important to have a main focus. This game can benefit each individual differently, in the case of someone with partial blindness, they may be more aware of surroundings due to having some vision. This is a great scenario to focus on perfecting blocking skill, which seems to be the most difficult part of the game to master. Sit Goalball, also helps to improve blocking through a side-lying position (Pederson, 36). Adaptations References: Dattilo, John, & McKenney, Alexis, (2016). Adventure Therapy. Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation. (pp. 145-174). State College, PA: Venture Publishing. Goalball UK. The Sport: What is Goalball? Retrieved from http://www.goalballuk.com/the-sport/equipment/ Pedersen, S., & Greer, L. (2008). Listen Up: Goalball for All!. Palaestra, 24(1), 33-37. United States Association of Blind Athletes. Sports Adaptations: Goalball. Retrieved from http://usaba.org/index.php/sports/sports-adaptationsn just 'om'. Momentum (19403410), 6(1), 38-40