Basketball

Regular physical activity is vital for good physical, social and emotional health. While there is a risk of injury with any type of physical activity, the benefits of staying active far outweigh the risks.

You can reduce your risk of exercise injury by:

• wearing the right shoes
• using the correct equipment
• drinking water and staying hydrated
• warming up and stretching properly
• being aware of your surroundings – always exercise and compete in a safe and level area clear of any obstacles or items
• maintaining social distancing rules when necessary (stay at least six feet away from others)

Stop exercising and seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as:

• discomfort or pain
• chest pain or other pain that could indicate a heart attack, including pain in the neck and jaw, pain travelling down the arm or pain between the shoulder blades
• shortness of breath
• a rapid or irregular heartbeat

Athletes should be practicing their skills and submitting qualification scores prior to the Skills Finals.  Scores are due by Monday, March 8th.  For assistance in finding a practicing facility, please contact Sam Cyliax at SMC@sonj.org.

• No equipment should be shared between athletes. Each athlete must use their own ball.
• Athletes are responsible for their own equipment including basketball, shoes, towels, water bottle, and sweatbands. No other athletes, Unified partners, or volunteers should touch equipment unless from the same household.
• All basketballs must be sanitized before practice begins.
• All practice structure must align with the current Special Olympics New Jersey Return to Activities (RTA) guidelines.
• Must adhere to the more restrictive measure for skill spacing, social distancing, PPE requirement and sanitation protocols, per gym venue
• While at the basketball venue, ensure athletes practice social distancing as outlined in the RTA plan.
• All coaches, volunteers, athletes, and families are always to wear masks. Athletes should only take masks off when hydrating or for brief medical reasons.
• All programs must adhere to venue capacity rules and regulations. As such, spectators may be asked to leave the indoor venues if capacity limits are met and are expected to comply.