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