Section R:
Winter Games

The 25th annual Winter Games will be held in Austin, February 2-5, 2017. Competition will begin on Friday and continue through Sunday. The figure skating competition is to be held in Allen on February 17, 2017.

Competition will be conducted in four sports: bowling, powerlifting, table tennis and volleyball. More than 2,000 athletes are expected to compete over the three-day period.

Athletes may participate in only one sport at Winter Games, even if competitions are on separate weekend..

All entry forms for the 2017 Winter Games should be sent to the appropriate area office. Teams should not send entries directly to the chapter office. Each area will establish their own deadline procedures for entries.

Entry fees will be $30 for each competing athlete and Unified Sports® partner. Scratches during registration or during games will result in a $15.00 administration fee per athlete and Unified Partner. No late entries will be accepted. Check with your program/area director for entry deadline.

Resource Information

To request specific information on individual sports and competitions, consult the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules, which may be obtained through the area office.

Additional information may be obtained from the sports directors.

Criteria for Advancement to Winter Games

For bowling, volleyball, powerlifting, roller skating, figure skating, speed skating and table tennis, all participants must have competed in local events and their sanctioned area competition in their sport of choice during the current year. Athletes are not required to qualify for advancement to the Winter Games by placing third or better at area competitions.

For all team competitions in which there are individual skills, SOTX will require a minimum of 8 participants to offer the skills event at Chapter Games. This will be determined at the time entries are due to the Chapter office.

Allocation

Area programs will distribute their bowling quota to local programs based on the number of registered athletes and requests by local programs for bowling slots. Requests for additional bowling slots must be submitted to the Director of Sports and Training. Those areas wishing to enter a Unified Sports® bowling team must arrange for that team to fall within the area’s total allotment for bowlers. For example, if Area 10 enters three Unified Sports® bowling teams (a total of 12 athletes), they will have 176 available slots for the rest of its delegation. Any Unified Sports® team(s) which advance to the Winter Games are at the discretion of the area planning committee.

The following maximum number of participants apply in the other Winter Games sports:

• Figure Skating 75
• Bowling 2,600 traditional + 300 Unified Sports®
• Powerlifting 150
• Volleyball 50 teams
• Roller Skating 150

Although SOTX does not anticipate an excessive number of entries in most of these sports, we have established this quota to ensure that we do not exceed the time and space available for each sport.

Bowling

Events Offered

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and are to be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event. An athlete may enter one event. Doubles may be male, female or mixed. Teams may be male, female or mixed (four person teams).

• Singles
• Doubles
• Mixed Doubles
• Team
• Unified Sports® Team
• Unified Sports® Doubles
• Ramp Assisted
• Ramp Unassisted

2017 Chapter Games Sport Maximums

Bowling - 2,600 traditional; 300 Unified Sports® (at Winter Games)

2017 Winter Games Bowling Competition will be certified by the USBC

The 2017 Winter Games Bowling Competition will be certified by the USBC under the Moral Sanction rule. This sanctioning allows all USBC certified bowlers, who are registered and part of Special Olympics Texas, the opportunity to receive any USBC awards for scores rolled during the tournament (e.g., if they roll a 200 and qualify under their average, the athlete will receive that award from the USBC). It is up to each athlete's coach to apply for the award. The coach must fill out the application and submit it to the association. The name of the tournament and the certification number will be posted at the venues in which there is competition.

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall govern all Special Olympics bowling competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon United States Bowling Congress (USBC) rules for bowling. USBC rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply.

• For bowling, a regional quota will be in place in order to maintain a manageable, quality event. As indicated on the allocations, the total number of bowlers at the games may not exceed 2,600 traditional and 300 Unified Sports®. A bowler must compete in a local event and the area bowling tournament to become part of the pool of bowlers eligible to advance to Winter Games in bowling. This will allow area programs more flexibility in scheduling area bowling tournaments (they may still be held after the Winter Games entry deadline if necessary) and will assist coaches in advance planning by allowing them to predetermine how many bowlers (within their quota) they will take to Winter Games. Entry forms for bowling participants are due by the final deadline which will be set by the area office.
• A scratch score based on a 15-game average shall be used for determining divisions. Heats (divisions) of no more than eight people will be based on the average score turned in. No handicap calculation is used when turning in entry scores or in determining ability divisions.
• An individual handicap (100 percent of 200) will be used only in the calculation of final results and awards by meet officials.
• Foul lines will be turned on for both area and chapter competitions.
• Bowling ramps and other assistance devices may be used with the approval of the Special Olympics Bowling Competition Committee.
• Athletes using ramps shall be placed in separate divisions from other bowlers in singles, doubles and team. Ramp bowlers shall compete with all other bowlers in Unified doubles and Unified team, as long as they keep up with the pace of play and do not affect the ability of others on the lane to complete their games.
• Unified Partners and Athletes are allowed to utilize ramps in Unified Bowling events only as long as it does not slow down the pace of play and they do not require assistance to move or manipulate the ramp.  Qualifying scores must reflect use of the ramp in the average if a ramp is to be utilized at that competition.
• In the unassisted ramp bowl, the athlete aims the ramp into position unassisted. A volunteer may assist with retrieving the ball from the return and placing the ball on the ramp only. The athlete positions the ball on the ramp and pushes the ball down the ramp towards the target. The volunteer may place one hand on the ramp after it has been positioned, solely to stabilize it. Absolutely no coaching or guiding of the ramp is allowed.
• In the assisted ramp bowl, the athlete aims the ramp into position with assistance. A volunteer may assist with retrieving the ball from the return and placing the ball on the ramp. The athlete positions the ball on the ramp with assistance and pushes the ball down the ramp towards the target. The volunteer may guide, align, or direct the ramp and athlete, but may not support or assist with the ball’s forward movement. The volunteer may place one hand on the ramp after it has been positioned, solely to stabilize it. Coaches are allowed in the pit area only when their athlete is bowling.
• At the discretion of the bowling competition director, ramp bowlers may bowl up to three frames consecutively.
• For tournament-level play, tournament directors may elect to make the tournament a scratch or a handicap tournament. Refer to the Official Special Olympics Bowling Rules.
• At area competitions, all athletes will bowl a two-game series. At chapter competitions, athletes will bowl a three-game series.
• At the discretion of the bowling competition director, a time limit may be implemented so that shifts may conclude as scheduled and not interfere with the following shifts.
• The only time coaches are allowed in the pit is during assisted ramp bowling and then ONLY when their athlete is bowling. Coaches must have proper event credentials to enter the pit area.
• Coaches will not be allowed in the pit areas, including during unassisted ramp bowling. Coaches may direct volunteers regarding ramp placement if necessary.
• An athlete may use one or two hands to roll the ball.
• USBC league play rules are in place during the chapter competition. The absentee score for each game shall be the absent member’s current average less 10 pins. In handicap leagues, the handicap shall be based on the absent member’s current average. When there are additional members on a team’s roster, the absentee score of the absent member with the most games bowled shall be used.
• The absentee bowler rule applies to traditional doubles or team but does not apply to Unified Sports® competition. In Unified Sports® bowling, a doubles or four-person team must have all bowlers present (equal number of athletes and partners or they will be disqualified). Enter alternates to prevent this.

Tardy Bowlers

Bowlers arriving prior to the end of the third frame can bowl and compete for an award. Bowlers arriving after the completion of the third frame must sit out the remainder of the first game and be allowed to bowl the remaining games for a participation ribbon only.

Clarification of Bowling Average and Bowling Handicap

AVERAGE - (What is submitted as entry score on athlete registration form)

Every bowler has an average (this is determined by the 15 games that they must bowl prior to competition). A bowler's average is easy to determine. To determine the average, simply add up the 15 scores bowled in training and divide by 15.

Example: Bill's 15 highest scores from bowling training are:
100 + 90 + 92 + 82 + 71 + 112 + 119 + 141 + 101 + 78 + 99 + 94 + 120 + 104 + 82 = 1,485 Total Score

Take the total score of 15 games and divide it by 15 (1,485 divided by 15 = 99); therefore, 99 is Bill's bowling average. Bill's coach would enter him as a 99 on the athlete entry form.

HANDICAP SCORING AT COMPETITION (How the final score is determined) – SOTX uses a 100 percent of 200 handicap scoring system.

Example:

Bill has a 99 average, so his handicap would be 200 minus his average (200 - 99 = 101); therefore, Bill has a handicap of 101.

For every game that Bill bowls during the competition in which he entered as a 99 average, he will have 101 pins added to his score.

The important thing to note is that Bill may end up bowling against bowlers with different handicaps than his (because they have a different average). So, it is possible that in some cases, the bowler who knocks over the most pins may not get first place once the handicap is factored into the final score.

Coaches SHOULD only concern themselves with submitting the CORRECT AVERAGE for bowlers and not try to manipulate entry scores with the handicap scoring. The handicap is only used at competition as the sanctioned method of equalizing competition. Coaches that purposely enter false average scores in an effort to better their athletes' chances of getting a gold medal will be reprimanded and run the risk of having their athletes disqualified.

Bowling Rabbit Percentage

A 100 percent rabbit percentage will be utilized during the Winter Games bowling tournament. This means that if an athlete/doubles pair/team has a three-game average that is double the entry score or greater, then the athlete/doubles pair/team will be "rabbited" and awarded in a heat with scores that are more appropriate to the final result. See Section M for more information about the Rabbit Rule.

Figure Skating

Events Offered

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and are to be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event.

• Singles (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Speed Skating: 50m race, 100m race
• Pairs Skating (Levels 1, 2)
• Individual Skills 1-11
• Ice Dancing (Levels 1, 2, 3)
• Badge Skills 1-12
• Unified Ice Dancing (Levels 1, 2, 3)
• Unified Pair Skating (Levels 1, 2)

Individual Skills will now be allowed at all SOTX figure skating competitions. The skills can be found in the Special Olympics Sports Rules.

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall govern all Special Olympics skating competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Skating Union rules for figure skating. International Skating Union rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply.

• Since figure skating is a competitive sport, dress should enhance and not detract from the skater’s technical proficiency.

Singles Preliminary Round - Female

• Figure skates should be clean and polished with laces tucked in.
• Simple, fitted figure skating dress, skirt or jumper with turtleneck and/or sweater.
• Sheer to waist pantyhose or tights, undergarments should not be visible.
• No loose jewelry (e.g., necklaces or bracelets).

Singles Final Round - Female

• Figure skates should be clean and polished with laces tucked in.
• Dress may have beading, sequins and/or lace, all done in good taste with the approval of a professional coach. No props may be used (e.g., hats, canes, boas, etc.).
• Sheer to waist pantyhose or tights, undergarments should not be visible.
• No loose jewelry (e.g., necklaces or bracelets).

Singles Preliminary Round - Male

• Figure skates should be clean and polished with laces tucked in.
• Simple fitted pants (stretch material and plain color preferred) and long sleeved sweater or turtleneck. No sweat pants acceptable.
• A well groomed appearance is highly recommended.

Singles Final Round - Male

• Figure skates should be clean and polished with laces tucked in.
• Simple fitted pants or jump suit (stretch material of any color with simple decoration is acceptable as long as it does not interfere).
• A well groomed appearance is highly recommended.
• No props (e.g., hats, canes, etc.).

Pair Skating

• Refer to the dress requirements listed for the male and the female in singles final round competition.

Ice Dancing

• Refer to the dress requirements listed for the male and the female in singles final round competition.

Speed Skating

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and may be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event.

An athlete may enter one event.

• 50m Race - Straight Away
• 100m Race - Half Lap Race

Equipment

All speed skaters shall wear long sleeved uniforms, elbow and knee pads, gloves or mittens of a protective nature and a safety helmet which shall have a hard shell.

Powerlifting

Events Offered

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and are to be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event.

Modified (skills) events are no longer offered.

• Bench Press
• Unified Sports® Bench
• Squat
• Unified Sports® Squat
• Deadlift
• Unified Sports® Deadlift
• Combination 2
• Unified Sports® Combination 2
• Combination 3
• Unified Sports® Combination 3

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics powerlifting competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created its own set of rules but has also consulted the rules of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) for powerlifting competition. Only the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall be followed for all Special Olympics powerlifting competitions. 

• A competitor should be 16 years old or older.
• During any competition organized on a platform or stage, nobody other than the lifter, the members of the jury, the officiating referees, the managers and the competing lifter’s coach shall be allowed around the platform or on the stage.
• Before the beginning of competitions, the recognized officials must check the weight of the bar and discs so that the total weight may be identical with that announced.
• A lift must be declared “no lift” and the lifter may be disqualified if the weights are dropped intentionally.
• Scoring of the events shall be the maximum weight lifted for each event.
• Combinations are the maximum weight for each event added together.
• The Wilkes Formula shall be utilized. See OSOSSR book for more information.
• No powerlifting program should be initiated without the assistance of qualified personnel.
• If an athlete is competing in the combination event, it must be indicated on the entry form, otherwise the athlete is not eligible.
• Weight of the bar: 20kg (45 lbs); with collars 250 kg (55 lbs). Athletes must use this standard bar.
• A spandex shirt may not be worn under the lifting suit.
• SOTX will follow the SOI rules for the benchpress. The coach cannot assist the athlete by lowering the bar to the athlete's chest or assist them in any other way.

Squat

Due to safety concerns, the squat event has not been offered to Special Olympics Texas athletes for powerlifting training or competition in the past. The squat requires more technique and understanding than deadlift or bench press.

In response to the interest of some certified powerlifting coaches to offer this event to their athletes, Special Olympics Texas has decided to cautiously allow training and competition in this event under the following conditions:

• Only athletes that are high level, more conditioned and more experienced powerlifters should train and compete in the squat event.

Roller Skating

Events Offered

The following roller skating events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and may be offered at local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and/or chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event.

• 30m Carpet Race
• 2 x 100m two-person relay
• 30m Slalom
• 4 x 100m four-person relay
• Freestyle singles - Level 1, 2, 3 and 4
• 30m straight line race
• 100m Race-the-Track
• Unified Sports® Freestyle
• 300m Race-the-Track
• Unified Sports® 4 x 100m relays
• Unified Sports® 2 x 100m relays

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall govern all Special Olympics roller skating competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation Internationale de Roller Skating rules for roller skating. Federation Internationale de Roller Skating rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply. These rules can be found on our website at www.specialolympicstexas.org. All Special Olympics Texas roller skating coaches must obtain a copy of the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for detailed information on equipment, safety and competition.

Equipment

• Helmets are required during all speed skating events. Wrist guards and knee pads are optional but highly recommended.
• In artistic events, protective gear, including helmets, wrist guards and knee pads, is recommended.

Table Tennis

Events Offered

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and may be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event. An athlete may enter up to three events as determined by competition committee.

• Singles
• Doubles
• Wheelchair Competition
• Unified Sports® Doubles
• Individual Skills: hand bounce, racket bounce, forehand volley, backhand volley and serve

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall govern all Special Olympics table tennis competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and U.S. Table Tennis Association (USTTA) rules. International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and U.S. Table Tennis Association rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply. These rules can be found on our website. All table tennis coaches must obtain a copy of the Official Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules for complete information regarding equipment and rules.

• An athlete participating in individual skills obtains an accumulative score. A player’s final score is determined by adding together the scores achieved in each of the five events which comprise the individual skills contest.
• Note: Games are played to 11 - win by two points.
• Players/teams alternate serves after every two serves.
• Matches are best of any odd number of games (e.g., best 2 of 3; 3 of 5; 4 of 7).

Rules Reminders

Please see ITTF and SOI rules for complete information.

Volleyball

Events Offered

The following events are sanctioned by Special Olympics Texas and are to be offered at all local, area and chapter competitions. The actual events scheduled and conducted at local, area and chapter competitions will be determined by a minimum number of entries in each event. An athlete may enter team competition, Unified Sports® team or one of the individual skills groups.

• Team competition
• Unified Sports® team
• Individual Skills 1: Volleyball Juggle, Volleyball Pass, Volleyball Toss and Hit
• Individual Skills 2: Overhead Passing, (Volleying) Serving, Passing (Forearm Passing)

General Information

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall govern all Special Olympics volleyball competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon USA Volleyball rules. USA Volleyball rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply.

The majority of volleyball competition in Special Olympics Texas is conducted according to the rules of the governing body. The following are some of the more significant rules:

• Rule Modifications: A three-point (lower level) or a five-point (higher level) serving rule can be used at all SOTX volleyball competitions. The team with possession of the ball after the serve limit will lose possession at the end of the three-point or five-point serves. The SOTX Sports Management Team has made adaptations to this rule to prevent one dominant server from dictating the outcome of a game, thus affecting the integrity of a division. The classification team can determine for each division whether a side out or rotation after a serve limit has been reached. The SMT has also determined that the three-point or five-point modification can be applied to any division that the classification team and competition committee feel is necessary in order to provide quality division of teams.
• The 25-point rally scoring system will be used.
• SOTX Volleyball Team Evaluation Questionnaire Form must be submitted with entries to all area, regional and chapter competitions.
• Time-outs are limited to two per game, each being 30 seconds long.
• No jewelry of any kind may be worn.
• Under no circumstances may a team play with less than six players.
• Prior to the start of the match and the deciding game, one of the captains will call the toss of the coin. The winner of the toss may elect to serve, receive or take choice of team area.
• Substitutions are limited to three entries per player; a player shall not enter the game for a fourth time. Starting shall count as an entry. Starting players/substitutes re-entering the game must assume their position in the serving order in relation to the rotation on the score sheet.
• There are a maximum of 12 substitutions per game.
• Pool play competition format may be used at area and chapter competitions.
• A referee must whistle when a player is bleeding or has blood on their uniform. The player must be removed immediately and may not return until properly treated and the uniform changed. (Bleeding will be treated as any other injury. If a band-aid can be put on in approximately 30 seconds, the player may continue to play. If the player cannot be taken care of in 30 seconds, a time out or substitution must be made. If a uniform change is needed, another matching uniform with a different number is allowed. If not available, a different uniform with the same number is allowed.)
• The ball may be served from anywhere along the endline.
• The ball may be played with any part of the body.
• The ceiling is live if the ball hits on your side and you have plays left on the ball. The 23 foot (7 meter) limitation has been removed.
• A three-point or a five-point serving rule can be used at all SOTX volleyball competitions. The SOTX Sports Management Team has made adaptations to this rule to prevent one dominant server from dictating the outcome of a game, thus affecting the integrity of a division. The classification team can determine for each division whether a sideout or rotation after a serve limit has been reached. The SMT has also determined that the three-point or five-point modification can be applied to any division that the classification team and competition committee feel is necessary in order to provide quality divisioning of teams.
• In the USAV rules book it states that it is recommended and required that uniform numbers must be centered on the chest and on the back. It also states that it is recommended that the numbers be a minimum of 6" centered on the chest and a minimum of 8" centered on the back.
• Due to safety risks, assisted devices such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs and service dogs are prohibited from use in team sports. Athletes who use assisted devices may compete in Individual Skills contests if they meet the performance requirements.
• Each competition committee has the option to set the game cap to 30-30-17.

Rule Modifications

• The first server of the game is the right back player. Thereafter, the right front player rotates to the right back position. The service alternates when there is a foul by the serving team and the ball is awarded to the opponent who shall rotate clockwise one position (except first serve). Therefore, the starting lineup will be the first serving formation for both teams. It can be considered legal service if the ball is hit directly from the hand of the server.
• A time limit of 30 minutes may be set for each game.
• The Tournament Committee may utilize the following modifications for lower divisions:
  • The serve line may be moved closer to the net, but no closer than 4.5 meters (14 feet 9 inches.) Also, the serve area may be moved, toward the middle of the court, but no more than 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) from the sideline.
• A lighter weight, modified volleyball may be used. The size of the ball should be no larger than 81 centimeters (32 inches) in circumference and weigh 8 ounces. It should be as close as possible to the regulation size volleyball.
• In all cases, regular and modified, a team shall consist of six players. The composition of a complete team, including substitutes, may not exceed 12 players. The tournament committee shall determine which, if any, divisions may utilize the modifications.
• In 2001, the Sports Management Team passed a motion to allow for the service line to be moved to 4.5 meters from the net (no closer) and that an athlete can choose to serve anywhere behind that line during volleyball Individual Skills competition.

Overall, this means that it is up to the volleyball classifiers and volleyball competition committee to determine which divisions will have service line and/or service number modifications. Any rules modification information for a division is to be shared with all coaches prior to the start of the competition brackets.

Height of the Net

• Men’s competition: 2.43m (7 feet, 11 5/8 inches.)
• Women’s competition: 2.24m (7 feet, 4 1/8 inches.)
  If even one male is on the team, it is the male height of the net that is used.

Unified Sports® Volleyball

• Teams follow all USVBA and Special Olympics rules.
• Partners, people without intellectual disabilities, must be identified on lineups and lineups must be exchanged between coaches.
• Teams must have three Special Olympics athletes and three partners on the court at all times. If during competition the ratio is not maintained, it will be an automatic forfeit.
• Athletes and partners must be in alternate positions.
• A non-playing, dual certified bench coach must be designated at the beginning of the match. The coach may not be listed as a player for that match or enter that match as a player.
• Dominant play will be a judgment call and will be made by the officials on the court. Penalty will be a verbal warning and subsequent calls will result in disciplinary measures; see Disciplinary Measures on page E-4.

Dominant play is defined as: an action or play by a player that does not allow another teammate to play their position. All players shall be allowed meaningful involvement and play.

Additional information on Unified Sports® can be found in the Unified Sports section.