Basketball Adaptations

Basketball is a sport that has grown in popularity in recent years with super stars like LeBron James bringing the game back into the international spotlight. Simultaneously having a range of international players making it to the NBA, including the large cohort from Australia, means the game is reaching a wider audience.

Like all information on this website it is important to understand that these are just possible adaptations and for further information please contact your advisory teacher or Andrew Whisson (PE teacher at the SA School for Vision Impaired).

Communication is key in all sport adaptations and basketball is no different. Enforcing that, all students or athletes playing the game communicate their position allows athletes with vision impairment to feel confident on the field. This can be done by enforcing all athletes to communicate "Voi" when intending to take possession of the ball, either as an offender or defender. The failure to do so results in a foul and either a side ball / inbound ball or free throws if the player is in the action of shooting the ball. In enforcing this rule, we are able to ensure that an athlete with a vision impairment can have confidence in where their peers are and not have the ball taken when dribbling.

Enforcing the players to call out to their intended target with a pass also means that all players are expecting to receive the ball and can turn and square off to their peers before the ball is passed to them.

Similarly, enforcing students to throw bounce passes acts to reduce the fear that the ball will hit them without warning. The bounce pass enforces the ball to always be traveling in the same direction (up towards the athlete) and then allows them to prepare for a more predictable movement and pass from their peers. The bounce pass also forces the ball to make sound before reaching the student or athlete with a vision impairment.

Depending on the individual students the equipment will differ greatly. Like most sports the choice of ball is important, while a student's low vision may require high contrasting equipment to their environment (see PE adaptations pages), those with no functional vision just require a ball and surface that is predictable in the bounce. There are audible basketballs available, however, to ensure that the ball has an internal bell the bounce is compromised and is less predictable than the mainstream basketball. Basketball is also unique as a sport and the dribbling and shooting motion all create a clear sound for most students without functional vision.

Drop down lines to mark the court may be necessary to ensure a high contrast to the floor and even act as a tactile reminder of the student or athlete's position on court. Similarly, the use of tactile lines with a high contrast tape could support students or athletes with vision impairment orientate and correct their position on court (see PE adaptations pages for how these can be created).

By ensuring the adaptations above, the lesson, unit or training will automatically become more inclusive and encourage all students or athletes to be involved. However, further rule changes could also encourage inclusive practice. The could be as simple as all students must touch the ball before a goal can be scored. This forces all students to turn to their team members or peers and support their involvement in the game.

For more information you may wish to visit the Blind Soccer / Football page on this website or contact your advisory teach or Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School for Vision Impaired).