soccer

Soccer is popular among Special Olympics athletes and is one of the most popular sports at Special Olympics. We offer team events along with individual skills competitions. Athletes can train and compete in basic skills before advancing to team play. Therefore, players of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to advance individual skills, work as a team and compete at various competitions.

Unified Soccer

In addition to traditional team soccer, athletes can participate in Unified Sports soccer. Unified Sports assigns Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes and partners without intellectual disabilities to the same team. During Unified soccer competition, the lineup will never exceed three athletes and two partners at any time. The minimum age for athletes and partners in Unified soccer is age 8. Unified soccer is offered in two models

Unified Team - In this model athletes and partners both have a complete understanding of the game, tactics and game flow. They act as true teammates with each player contributing to the teams success or failure. Rules of the sport are followed with no modifications. Theory of meaningful involvement is followed - EVERY player is given the opportunity to contribute to the success of the team through their unique skills and qualities

Unified Player Development - This is a model is a developmental model. Unified Partners act as mentors on the field to help teach the game to the athletes by playing the game. Athletes in the model do not have a grasp of in game tactics or game flow and need guidance of the Unified partner to help ensure their success. Slight modifications to the rules of soccer are applied.

Soccer is a Level A sport here at Special Olympics Massachusetts