General Rules

The Official Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules Book (2004-2007 Revised Edition) shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon the International and National Governing Bodies (NGB). IAFF or NGB rules shall apply except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules Book (2004-2007 Revised Edition). In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules shall prevail.

• Only registered athletes will be eligible to participate in the Games. The Games Committee shall review decisions about ineligibility due to improper registration.
• Athletes must be at least eight years of age as of November 3, 2006 to be eligible for competition.
• Coaches will not be allowed access to the staging area and are not permitted in the competition area. However, coaches may be allowed to assist aurally or visually impaired athletes during competition, when appropriate. In instances where assistance is required, the head coach must request the exemption from the sports rules committee at the head coaches meeting. The request must fully explain the circumstances which mandate the on-course assistance.
• Athletes may be required to participate in time trials or preliminary events. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of athlete(s) from competition.
• In case an athlete is too ill to participate in time trials or preliminaries, an exemption may be granted by the Games Committee or Sports Rules Committee prior to the event.
• All soccer and volleyball teams must stay at their respective venue until the end of preliminaries so that we may properly division all teams.
• Any team or athlete more than 15 minutes late will be automatically forfeited.
• Divisions will be determined based upon gender, ability levels, and final times/scores from sectional or prior competition, team skills assessment scores and classification rounds. If an athlete is registered with no entry time or does not compete in preliminary competition, they will be placed in a heat of their own and will be given a participation ribbon. What is divisioning?

Attire

Athletes participating in this competition must wear appropriate sports attire. A reminder that no commercial advertising may be worn by the athlete during ceremonies, competition or awards.

If an athlete is not appropriately dressed they will not be able to participate. Denim pants or shorts are not appropriate for any competition. Athletes traveling long distances who may not have time to change should arrive in appropriate attire.

T-shirt color – Please refrain from wearing solid red or orange T-shirts during special events. Special events include Opening and Closing Ceremonies, dances and Olympic Village. Red denotes our medical team and orange, our security team. We have chosen these colors so our essential volunteers can easily be identified and quickly located during a time of need at our special events.

Honest Effort Rule (HER)

The Honest Effort Rule (HER) is in effect. Athletes, partners, and coaches who do not participate honestly and with maximum effort in all events, or in a sportsmanlike manner, will be disqualified from current and possibly future events. Any athlete or partner disqualified for an HER violation will receive a participation ribbon. It is the responsibility of the head coach or head of delegation to ensure that the best time or score be submitted to the committee and updated, if necessary, prior to the event.

Team Sports (Bocce, Roller Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball) – The Divisioning Committee or Sports Rules Committee reserves the right to change a team’s division during final competition. This will take place during the 1st or 2nd game in pool play.

Individual Sports (LDR/W and Speed Skating) – Athletes that are timed 25% better than their best time/score (either preliminary or entry score) will receive a participation award.

Code of Conduct

Please see the Special Olympics Policies & Forms section of the coaches handbook

Forfeits

Any coach who elects to forfeit a game or individual match must seek approval of the Sports Rules Committee. If approved, the team will take a loss for that game or match. If denied, the team must play the opposing team or be disqualified from the tournament. If a team tie occurs, all competition from the disqualified team will be disregarded from the standings. The team who forfeits receives 0 points. The opponent in bocce receives 12 points; the opponent in soccer receives 2 points; and the opponent in volleyball receives 25 points (25 for each game; best of three match).

Protests

Protests may be filed by a Special Olympics certified head coach only. Any other person attempting to file a protest will be immediately rejected. The head coach must file the protest within 30 minutes after the completion of the protested competition or event. Protests may only be filed for the following reasons:

• Misinterpretation of a playing rule
• Failure of a referee/judge/official to apply the correct rule or penalty for a given violation
• Protests regarding judgment calls by officials will not be considered.
  

Games Rules Committee

In case of an appeal to a denied protest, the following individuals will act as the deciding body to rule on the final decision:

• Meghan Murphy – Fall Festival Director of Competition
• Sarah Rosato – SOPA Associate Competition Director - East
• Head of Delegation & Alternate Head of Delegation – Will be announced at Head of Delegation Meeting

Sports open forum meeting

Anyone with a sports-related question, comment, or concern for Special Olympics Pennsylvania Sports Staff can come to this meeting to have their voices heard and topics addressed. It will be on Saturday in Bartley Hall Room 1067.

• Sports Rules Committees
• Bocce: Dave Fusco, TBA
• LDR: Eric Galosi, TBA
• Powerlifting: Sean Hanley, TBA
• Roller Skating and Roller Hockey: Patricia Vera, TBA
• Soccer: Mark Weinmann, TBA
• Volleyball: TBA
  *** Officials, Coaches, and Alternate Coaches will be announced at the head coaches meeting.

Spectator Seating

Each venue will have designated seating or areas for spectators. Please respect the areas designated only for coaches and athletes. Following are general areas to be aware of for the safety and fun of all participants:

Head Coaches’ Meetings

The head coach is responsible for the coordination and management of those athletes from the delegation competing in a given sport. The head coach is primarily responsible for ensuring that athletes are at the various competition sites and events, properly equipped, and trained for that event. Any problems relating to a given athlete during the sports activities will be addressed to the head coach.

The following meetings are scheduled for head coaches for sports-specific information and to address competition concerns. It is the head coach’s responsibility and obligation to attend all Head Coaches’ meetings.

Demonstrations

Eikiden Demonstration
Friday, November 3rd, 5:00 p.m. Tolentine Field