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Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. —Special Olympics Athlete Oath

Sport Staff: Jan Palchikoff Senior Vice President, Sport & Athlete Experience Jennifer Keurulainen Vice President, Sport Brian Klavano Director, Sport Presentations & Awards David Markland Director, Sport Planning-LACC Hector Tovar Director, Sport Planning-UCLA Matt Setlik Director, Sport Services Danielle Hamilton Manager, Sport Jenni Simcoe Manager, Sport Publications & Information Kara Toussaint Manager, Sport Production Kerry Farmer Manager, Sport Production Kevin Cantu Manager, Sport Production Michelle Woywitka Rossall Manager, Awards Geny Wu Project Coordinator, Sport, Athlete Experience, & Operations Amy Woodward Intern Jared Agnew Intern Katrina Dorsey Intern Stephen Brandenburg Intern Stephen Morales Intern

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: GAMES INFORMATION

1.1 Special Olympics Mission & Vision

1.2 LA2015 Contacts

1.3 Public Safety and Security

1.4 Delegation Transportation System

1.5 Language Services

1.6 Medical Services

1.7 Clinics, Exhibitions, and Demonstrations

1.8 Opening & Closing Ceremonies

1.9 Credentials

CHAPTER 2: SPORT INFORMATION

2.1 Competition Venues

2.2 Participation Statistics Per Sport

2.3 Sport Information Desks (SIDs)

2.4 Results

2.5 Refusal to Compete — Special Olympics

2.6 Protests & Appeals Protocol

2.7 Maximum Effort Reminder

2.8 Athletes' Code of Conduct

CHAPTER 3: HANDBALL RULES & INFORMATION

3.1 Participation Statistics

3.2 Delegation Codes

3.3 Management Team

3.4 Competition Schedule

3.5 Events

3.6 Venue Description

3.7 Field of Play (FOP) Information

3.8 Practice & Warm-Up Information

3.9 Competition Regulations

3.10 Match Procedures

3.11 Divisioning

3.12 Athlete Uniform

3.13 Competition Equipment

3.14 Competition Format

3.15 Competition Staging

3.16 Awards Staging

3.17 Awards Ceremony

CHAPTER 4: COACHES' INFORMATION

4.1 Head Coaches' Meetings

4.2 Coaches' Code of Conduct

4.3 Coaches' Clinics

CHAPTER 5: OFFICIALS' INFORMATION

5.1 Officials' Meeting

5.2 Credentials & Uniform Distribution

5.3 Officials' Uniform

5.4 Check-In & Registration at Competition Venues

5.5 Officials' Oath

APPENDIX

Acronyms

Delegation Codes

Glossary of Terms

Handball Ethos

LA2015 App

Officials' Uniform

Referees' Uniform

Social Media Accounts & Hashtags

Sport Resources Portal on LA2015.org

Sport Staff & Volunteer Uniform

Venue Map

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CHAPTER 1: GAMES INFORMATION

1.1 Special Olympics Mission The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics World Games LA2015 Vision In a city full of movie stars and all-stars, the athletes of the Special Olympics World Games will be the stars this summer. As the world’s media and entertainment capital, and as a city that is the embodiment of diversity and inclusion, Los Angeles provides the perfect global stage to highlight the talents, courage and determination of people with intellectual disabilities.

1.2 LA2015 Contacts Delegation Services Main Hotline: +1 (213) 986-9875

Delegation Services Fax: +1 (213) 986-9875

If you have a non-life threatening emergency while attending an event not affiliated with the World Games, please contact the Delegation Services Main Hotline so that our staff can try to assist you.

If you have a life-threatening emergency while attending an event not affiliated with the World Games, please dial 9-1-1 to connect to the Los Angeles County Fire / Police Department.

1.3 Public Safety and Security The LA2015 Security Team will provide a safe and secure environment at the World Games for Delegations, Officials, spectators, staff and volunteers by managing access points and crowd control at all venues throughout Los Angeles. Security will also work closely with transportation services to manage bus and vehicle access and traffic routes to parking and shuttle locations.

Planned event security for participants and spectators includes: • Access Control – checking credentials for access to specific buildings and venues,

monitored by Spectator Services staff. • Crowd Control – monitoring and enforcing venue seating capacities, safety and

prohibited items. • Accommodations Security – 24 hour security and credential access control at

Delegation accommodation locations.

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• Campus Security – 24-hour security on campus and patrols around the perimeter of campus at USC and UCLA.

• Emergency Response – working with local law enforcement agencies on execution of emergency response plans.

1.4 Delegation Transportation System The goal of the Transportation Department is to provide the safest, most efficient and accommodating transportation system for all constituents, throughout the entire period of the World Games. This goal will be achieved using comfortable air-conditioned buses. Delegations will have access to an exclusive transport system offering scheduled Bus Service to and from housing, venues and hubs. The following arrangements are being planned to meet the needs of athletes, Coaches, and Officials.

Transportation Access An LA2015 credential marked with a T-level will give delegates access to scheduled transportation services. To ensure the safety of delegates at all times, only registered members of a Delegation will be allowed to ride buses designated for Delegations. Individuals without the LA2015 credential for delegates will not be permitted to board Delegation buses under any circumstances.

Athlete Housing Upon completion of the Host Town activities, Delegations will be picked up at their Host Town and transported by motor coaches to the Athlete Villages at either University of Southern California (USC) or University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

Travel to Competition (On-campus) The following sports will be held on-campus at USC and UCLA respectively. Athletes competing in sports at USC or UCLA will travel less than 2 kilometers (1 mile) from their housing site to reach their competition venue.

Distance To and From Competition Venues From To Distance

UCLA Balboa Sports Center 16 km (10 mi)

UCLA Long Beach 54 km (34 mi)

UCLA USC 20 km (12 mi)

From To Distance

USC Wilson & Harding Golf Courses

20 km (12 mi)

USC LA Equestrian Center 24 km (15 mi)

USC LA Convention Center 3 km (2 mi)

USC Long Beach 40 km (25 mi)

USC UCLA 20 km (12 mi)

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Games Vehicles Delegation transportation vehicles will be equipped with air-conditioning and three-point seat belts for optimal safety and comfort.

Vehicles' Markings Buses will be identifiable by:

• Destination sign

• Service group (e.g. Delegations)

• LA2015 branding

Opening and Closing Ceremonies Delegations will be transported on air-conditioned school buses from USC and UCLA housing to the Opening Ceremony. Closing Ceremony transportation on Sunday, August 2 will use the same plan as for the Opening Ceremony.

1.5 Language Services The purpose of International Relations and Language Services is to ensure that guests from more than 165 countries who speak 71 different languages can fully communicate, participate and relate to each other without any language impediment. Language Services will provide translation and interpretation services before and during the World Games. Multilingual Sport volunteers will be available in every competition venue.

1.6 Medical Services LA2015 will provide multiple levels of medical care as needed for all athletes participating in the World Games as well as provide basic first aid to spectators and non-athletes attending the World Games. The goal of the LA2015 Medical Team is to act in the best interest of the individual, strive to return the athlete to the sporting event in an efficient and timely manner, and provide all individuals a seamless transition into the community health care system if necessary. Medical Services will provide comprehensive treatment from initial intervention to definitive care and discharge. The primary functions provided by Medical Services for athletes and Delegation Members include:

• Triage at the Field of Play • Treatment of Minor Injuries • Referral for Urgent Care at the Poly Clinic • Referral for Acute Care • Follow-up Care • Overnight Care at Accommodations Venues

Completion of the athlete medical form, which includes a physical exam, is mandatory for each athlete to register and participate in the World Games and must be completed by a physician prior to arriving in LA.

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MedFest MedFest, a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program discipline, will operate on the USC and UCLA campuses on July 24 and 25 to provide comprehensive sport physicals to clear athletes for competition. In order to ensure the health of the athletes, they may only compete if they submit complete and accurate athlete medical forms and once the LA2015 Medical Team has cleared them.

Athlete Injuries On Field Of Play A participant who is suspected of sustaining a concussion in a practice, game or competition shall be removed from practice, play or competition at that time. During the World Games a qualified medical professional will be available to render an evaluation, that person shall have final authority as to the removal or return to play of the participant. The participant’s parent, coach or guardian will be made aware that the participant is suspected of sustaining a concussion. A participant who has been removed from practice, play or competition due to a suspected concussion may not participate in World Games sports activities until either of the following occurs:

• At least seven (7) consecutive days have passed since the participant was removed from play and a currently licensed, qualified medical professional provides written clearance for the participant to return to practice, play and competition; or

• A currently licensed, qualified medical professional determines that the participant did not suffer a concussion and provides written clearance for the participant to return to practice play immediately. Written clearance in either of the scenarios above shall become a permanent record.

The World Games Medical Team will utilize the ImPACT Concussion Management IDD Model as the measurement tool. ImPACT IDD addresses the need for an accurate, medically accepted assessment system that is used as part of an overall concussion management protocol. ImPACT IDD at the World Games will follow these steps:

1. Athletes with prior head injuries, or who have experienced loss of consciousness, and those competing in high impact sports will be required to complete a baseline assessment evaluation during MedFest.

2. Athlete sustains injury and concussion is suspected.

3. Athletes with suspected head injuries during the Games will be evaluated and re-administered ImPACT evaluation within 24 to 36 hours of injury to assess the level of injury.

4. The World Games Medical Team will provide an assessment to determine if the athlete is ready for non-contact activity.

5. Upon further assessment, the athlete may be determined safe to return to play.

Medical Protocols

All Medical personnel will be following Medical Protocols that Kaiser Permanente Physicians have created. They include everything from Serious Conditions (heart problems, head

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injuries, broken bones, etc.) to Common Conditions (Allergies sunburns, scrapes, etc.) and lastly Behavioral Health conditions. These protocols will be distributed to all levels of care at the World Games.

1.7 Clinics, Exhibitions, and Demonstrations

Please see the most current competition schedule on the Sport Resources portal at LA2015.org for the most current schedule of the Special Olympics non-competition events. See appendix for login instructions for the Sport Resources portal.

Coaches' Clinics The purpose of the Coaches’ Clinics is to present best practices and techniques for Coaches in order to improve their Coaching methods and tactics. Internationally renowned sports experts will participate in these clinics. The date, time and location of the Coaches’ Clinics will be announced at the first Head Coaches' meeting.

High Performing Athlete Demonstrations The goal of High Performing Athlete Demonstrations is to showcase Special Olympics athletes interacting and competing with Olympians/Sport Professionals in a Unified Sports-type competition. These types of competitions promote Special Olympics as a world leading sports organization producing athletes that can compete at a world-class level. Sports Demonstrations can also serve as a means of introducing a new sport to the Special Olympics sports community. The High Performing Athlete Demonstrations are not part of the official World Games competitions and thus the athletes do not receive medals or participation ribbons for these events.

Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) MATP is designed for athletes with profound intellectual disabilities who are unable to participate in Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities. MATP is designed to prepare these athletes, including those with significant physical disabilities, for sport-specific activities appropriate for their abilities.

Toys"R"Us #MyFirstSportsMoment Events Toys"R"Us, a sponsor of Young Athletes program, is holding #MyFirstSportsMoment events at ten Special Olympics Unified Sports® events, where Young Athletes will have an opportunity to experience their first sports moment on a world stage during activities such as Aquatics, Softball, Bocce, Golf, Football, Roller Skating, Bowling, Tennis, Basketball and Gymnastics.

Unified Sports Experiences Unified Sports Experiences are a series of individual non-official Special Olympics exhibition events. Stemming from the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, Unified Sports Experiences provide an opportunity for internationally renowned sports and entertainment personalities and fans to be paired up with Special Olympics athletes in a series of competitive events.

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Young Athletes™ Program

Young Athletes is a unique sport and play program for children with intellectual disabilities. The focus is on fun activities that are important to mental and physical growth. Children ages 2 to 7 enjoy games and activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Young Athletes is an early introduction to sports and to the world of Special Olympics.

1.8 Opening & Closing Ceremonies

Opening Ceremony The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 25 at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on the campus of USC. The star-studded event will celebrate the true stars of the World Games - the athletes of Special Olympics - with exciting entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® and lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron. Broadcast live internationally by ESPN, fans around the world will be able to participate in this memorable start to the World Games!

Closing Ceremony To close out the World Games on Sunday, August 2, the Closing Ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The final festivities will pay tribute to the athletes, families, Coaches, volunteers and supporters who have come together for a successful and inspirational event. World-class entertainers and celebrities will headline the celebration.

1.9 Credentials

Members of a Delegation must wear their credential at all times during the World Games to ensure access to accommodations, dining halls and competition venues.

In the event that a credential is lost or stolen, please report it immediately to Delegation Services. Refer to section 1.2 for contact information.

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CHAPTER 2: SPORT INFORMATION

2.1 Competition Venues

Competition will be centered in six major hubs:

Long Beach, California • Beach Volleyball • Cycling • Half Marathon • Kayaking • Open Water Swimming • Triathlon • Sailing

Downtown Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Convention Center • Badminton • Bocce • Bowling (Lucky Strike LA Live) • Handball • Powerlifting • Roller Skating • Table Tennis

Encino (Balboa Sports Center) • Football (7-A-Side)

Griffith Park (Wilson & Harding Golf Courses & Los Angeles Equestrian Center) • Golf • Equestrian

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) • Gymnastics-Artistic • Gymnastics-Rhythmic • Football (5-A-Side) • Football (11-A-Side) • Judo • Softball • Tennis • Volleyball The University of Southern California (USC) • Athletics • Aquatics • Basketball

2.2 Participation Statistics Per Sport* (as of June 22, 2015)

Sport Athletes Teams Delegations

Aquatics 606 - 116

Athletics 953 - 157

Basketball 615 66 54

Bocce 279 40 96

Badminton 143 - 47

Beach Volleyball 34 8 5

Bowling 221 40 50

Cycling 178 - 34

Equestrian 127 - 36    

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Sport Athletes Teams Delegations

Football 1,049 114 98

Golf 182 18 34

Gymnastics (Artistic) 139 - 34

Gymnastics (Rhythmic) 136 - 35

Handball 185 18 15

Half Marathon 28 - 15

Judo 105 - 24

Kayaking 67 - 13

Open Water Swimming 86 - 35

Powerlifting 170 - 41

Roller Skating 107 - 20

Sailing 55 28 9

Softball 144 10 8

Tennis 141 - 40

Triathlon 19 - 6

Table Tennis 206 - 70

Volleyball 298 28 23 *Participation numbers are subject to change

2.3 Sport Information Desks (SIDs)

The main purpose of the Sport Information Desk (SID) is to provide accurate and timely information about competition to team representatives (registered Head Coaches and Delegates). The SID is the liaison between the teams, the Technical Delegates (TDs), and the Competition Management Team. The SID will also provide match lists, bulletins, results, competition updates, technical forms, protest/appeal forms, and any other pertinent information.

SIDs will be easily accessible to all team representatives/Coaches. Team representatives must stop at the SID upon arrival and departure from the competition and accommodation venues, in order to sign for and pick up all information updates.

See appendix for locations of SIDs.

SIDs at the Competition Venues

Sport Information Desks will open on the first day of training or competition and close the last day of competition.

The SID will open one hour prior to the arrival of the very first bus with athletes, and will remain in operation until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the final day's competition.

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SIDs at Delegation Service Centers

• SIDs at Delegation Service Centers will start operating on July 24 and close on August 2. • Updates and new information that concern the teams will be available at the Athlete

Village SIDs and will be distributed in the relevant pigeonholes/trays. 2.4 Results

Results will be posted at the SIDs and also available online at the official World Games website, LA2015.org.

2.5 Refusal to Compete — Special Olympics

Special Olympics must transcend all boundaries of race, gender, religion, national origin, geography, and political philosophy, and offer sport training and competition opportunities to all eligible persons with intellectual disabilities, in accordance with uniformed worldwide standards.

A refusal by an athlete or team to compete or participate in any Special Olympics Games event based on race, gender, religion, national origin, geography, political philosophy, or any similar reason violates the principles of Special Olympics and is unacceptable. An athlete or a team that refuses to compete at any Special Olympics Games for any such reason shall be ineligible to compete further and will be asked to leave the Games.

Every Head of Delegation (HOD) and the Chief Executive of each Program that sends a Delegation to a World or Regional Games and the Chief Executive of each Games Organizing Committee (GOC) shall acknowledge and agree to this policy in writing prior to the relevant Games.

2.6 Protest & Appeals Protocol

Only the Head Coach or a designated Coach registered as such (in the absence of the Head Coach) can file a protest and must do so abiding by the rules of each sport. The Coach must complete the protest form in order for the Sport Specific Jury to consider the protest.

Three (3) main guidelines for what is considered as a situation of protest:

1. Misinterpretation of sport rules. 2. Failure of the Referee or Judge to apply the correct rule at a given situation. 3. Failure to impose the correct penalty at a given violation.

Any protest involving the judgment of the Referee or Judge will not be taken under consideration. Judgment calls are not to be protested or appealed. Divisioning and meaningful involvement decisions cannot be protested.

The protest must cite each specific violation by stating the specific number noted in the 2014 version of the official Special Olympics Sport Rules and a clear description of why the Coach feels that the specific rule has not been followed.

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The protest forms will be available at the SID in each competition venue. All initial protests must be filed no later than 30 minutes after the end of the game. Once the protest is filed and the protest form is fully filled in, it shall be given to the SID and the relevant staff will then accordingly notify the Sport Specific Jury, asking for a ruling. The exact time that the SID receives the protest will be noted on the form.

The Sport Specific Jury, which consists of the Technical Delegate(s), the Competition Manager and an appointed Official, shall review the protest. Once the Sport Specific Jury has made its decision, the Coach can either accept the ruling or appeal against this ruling to the World Games Jury of Appeals. Appeals against the decisions of the Sport Specific Jury are to be submitted within 60 minutes after the relevant decision of the Sport Specific Jury. All decisions made by the World Games Jury of Appeals are final.

Jury of Appeals

Jury Chair: Venisha Bowler, Senior Manager, Sports, Special Olympics, Inc.

Members: Bob Whitehead, Member, Sports Rules Advisory Committee

Jennifer Keurulainen, Vice President of Sport, LA2015

Lee Todd, Chief of Sports, Special Olympics, Inc.

Jon-Paul St. Germain, Senior Director, Unified Sports and Sports Partnership, Special Olympics, Inc.

For the Sport Specific Jury please see section 3.3.

2.7 Maximum Effort Reminder

Athletes must participate honestly and with maximum effort in all divisioning and/or final competition. Individuals or teams that are identified as not participating to their full potential with the intent of being placed in a lower division may be disqualified from competition. Head Coaches are responsible for assuring that the reported divisioning scores for their athletes accurately reflect the ability of the athlete(s). At the completion of the divisioning process Head Coaches will be given a report to sign off confirming individual players scores are a reflection of their playing ability. If for any reason the Head Coach does not consider this assessment or score correct, it is their responsibility to notify the Competition Management Team.

2.8 Athletes' Code of Conduct

Special Olympics is committed to the highest ideals of sport and expects all athletes to honor sports and Special Olympics. All Special Olympics athletes and Unified Sports partners agree to the following code:

Sportsmanship

• I will practice good sportsmanship.• I will act in ways that bring respect to me, my Coaches, my team, and Special Olympics.

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• I will not use bad language.• I will not swear or insult other persons.• I will not fight with other athletes, Coaches, volunteers or staff.

Training and Competition

• I will train regularly.• I will learn and follow the rules of my sport.• I will listen to my Coaches and the Officials and ask questions when I do not understand.• I will always try my best during training, divisioning and competitions.• I will not "hold back" in preliminaries just to get into an easier final heat.

Responsibility for My Actions

• I will not make inappropriate or unwanted physical, verbal or sexual advances on others.• I will not drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal drugs while representing Special Olympics at

training sessions, competition or during Games.• I will not take any drugs for the purpose of improving my performance.• I will obey all laws and Special Olympics rules.

I understand that if I do not obey this Code of Conduct, my Program or a Games Organizing Committee may not allow me to participate.

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CHAPTER 3: HANDBALL RULES & INFORMATION

3.1 Participation Statistics

Number of Delegations Number of Athletes Number of Teams 15 185 18

3.2 Delegation Codes

Please refer to the appendix for all three-letter Delegation codes.

3.3 Management Team Competition Management Team

Competition Manager (CM) Michael Hinson Assistant Competition Manager (ACM) Julio Sainz Technical Delegate George S. Bebetsos Vice President, Sport Jennifer Keurulainen

Venue Management Team General Manager (LACC) Luke Hyvonen

Derrick Salisbury Assistant General Manager (LACC)

Sport Specific Jury Chair: George S. Bebetsos (TD) Members: Michael Hinson (CM)

Bruce Mosberg (Head Referee) Substitute member: Julio Sainz (ACM)

3.4 Competition Schedule (subject to change)

Divisioning: July 26, 2015 Competition: July 27, 2015 – August 1, 2015

3.5 Events Team Competition, Male & Female

3.6 Venue Description Handball will take place in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). Please see appendix for a Venue Map

3.7 Field of Play (FOP) Information The South Hall at LACC will feature one (1) Handball court. The competition surface will be of synthetic material (measuring 44m X 24m) and will be same as the ones used during any Official Handball competition.

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3.8 Practice & Warm-Up Information Pre-Competition Warm-Up There is one (1) warm-up Handball court, next to the competition court. The warm-up court’s surface is industrial concrete. Warm-up will take place at the warm-up court, 30 minutes prior to each match. Ten (10) balls will be given to each team in the warm-up court. The last eight (8) minutes of the warm-up will take place on the competition court with another ten (10) balls available per team. Practice/Training

There will be no specific training sessions throughout the entire tournament. 3.9 Competition Regulations

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Handball shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon International Handball Federation (IHF) rules for Handball found at http://www.ihf.info/. IHF or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Handball or Article I. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics sports Rules for Handball shall apply. In the current version, the official Handball Rules of the Game have been summarized and edited in a more compact version. In any case, the full-length version of the Rules can be found in the IHF’s Rules of the Game book. The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Handball can be found at: http://media.specialolympics.org/soi/files/resources/Sports-Rules-Competitions/SportsRules/Handball_Rules_FINAL-April2014.pdf

Please refer to Article I, http://media.specialolympics.org/resources/sports-essentials/general/2014-Article-I.pdf for more information pertaining to Codes of Conduct, Training Standards, Medical and Safety Requirements, Divisioning, Awards, Criteria for Advancement to Higher Levels of Competition and Unified Sports.

3.10 Match Procedures

Pre-Game Procedure

Three minutes prior to the start of each match, the teams will line up in front of their benches area with the referees in between of them, in front of the Secretariat’s Table. Players are announced by their name and bib number, first those of the “Guest” (“B”) team and then those of the “Home” (“A”) team. Upon hearing their name and number, players walk to the center of the court, side-by-side, facing the VIP tribune. Coaches are announced next, followed by the Technical Officials. As soon as the referees assume their position at the center of the court, between the two teams, teams and referees exchange handshake.

Post-Game Procedure

Upon completion of the match, the team players and the referees will meet at the center of the court, in order to congratulate each other and salute the spectators.

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3.11 Divisioning

• Divisioning will be according to the assessments of a Divisioning Committee. Teams will be assessed in a 1-10 scale during matches at the divisioning phase for their physical ability, team play ability, scoring ability and goalkeeping.

• Initial placement in the Divisioning Round will be based on the Team Assessment Score/Rating submitted on the teams' registration form or updated information submitted by the Head Coach at Final Declaration.

• Teams who do not submit complete assessment information will automatically be placed in the highest Division (skill level) of the Divisioning Round.

• Teams with less than seven (7) players to start the game will receive no points and the match will be considered ended (score: 0-10).

• Based on competition and observation, the Divisioning Committee reserves the right to adjust the divisioning prior medal rounds.

• Every effort will be made to guarantee the integrity of the games and the divisioning process. The ultimate goal of the Committee is to select divisions with teams of similar ability. The decision of the Committee is final and may not be appealed/protested.

• It is very important for teams to come to the Games with experience competing in their events.

3.12 Athlete Uniform

Color

All the court players on a team must wear identical uniforms. The combination of colors and designs for the two teams’ attire must be clearly distinguishable from each other. All players used as goalkeepers in a team must wear the same color; a color that distinguishes them from the court players of both teams and the goalkeeper(s) of the opposing team.

Each team must have two (2) uniform sets of different colors (one light-colored and one dark-colored). In case both teams appear on court in the same color, the team appearing as “Guest” in the competition schedule (“B”) has to wear their alternate uniform.

Athlete Uniform Numbers

The players must wear visible numbers, of at least 20 cm height on the back of their shirt and of at least 10 cm on the front. The numbers used shall be from 1 to 99. A player who is switching between court player and goalkeeper position must have the same number in both positions. The color of the numbers must contrast clearly with the colors and designs of the shirt. Each player’s number is unique, meaning that each player will compete with the same uniform number throughout the entire tournament.

Team Name/Logos

The name of the Program or athlete may also appear on the back of the athlete’s shirt. The name of the Program may also appear on the front of the shirt. The team coaches must wear identical shirts in a color that distinguishes them, different from the color used on the shirts of the court players of the opposing team.

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Athletic Shoes

Players should wear athletic shoes.

Uniform Restrictions

Players are not allowed to wear objects that could be dangerous to other players, such as head protection, face masks, bracelets, watches, rings, visible piercing, necklaces or chains, earrings, glasses without restraining bands or with solid frames (only sport type glasses are allowed). Players who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to participate until they comply with the rules. Flat rings, small earrings and visible piercing may be allowed, as long as they are taped over in such a way that they are no longer deemed dangerous to players. Headbands, headscarves and captain’s armlets are allowed, as long as they are made of soft, elastic material.

A player who is bleeding or has blood on his/her body or uniform must leave the court immediately (through substitution), in order to have the bleeding stopped, the wound covered, and the body and uniform cleaned off. The player must not return to the court otherwise.

Commercial Messages and National Flags The following rules apply to competition, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and Award Ceremonies:

• No national flags are permitted on the athletes’ uniform, caps, swimsuits, towels, etc.

• Athletes are prohibited from wearing clothing, bibs, or signs with commercial names or commercial messages, other than "normal commercial markings" of the clothing manufacturer. Normal commercial markings include: o On larger clothing items, such as shirts, jackets, pants, jerseys, and sweatshirts, one

logo or commercial name per clothing item is permissible, if that name or logo display does not exceed an area of six square inches or 38.7 square centimeters (such as a display measuring 2" x 3" or 5.08 cm x 7.62 cm).

o On small clothing items, such as caps, socks, hats, gloves and belts, one logo or commercial name per clothing item is permissible, if that name or display does not exceed an area of three square inches or 19.35 square centimeters.

o On athletic shoes, no logos or commercial names are permissible except for names or logos, which are included by the manufacturer on athletic shoes that are sold to the general public.

Athletes may wear, carry or use clothing and/or non-apparel items that are not part of their sports equipment (such as tote bags), which contain small and attractively designed identifications of corporate or organizational sponsors at Games venues (other than the sites of competition, such as at training or practice sessions outside of competition venue).

For complete rules regarding athletes' uniforms, please see Article 5, Section 5.08 of Special Olympics General Rules at: http://resources.specialolympics.org/Topics/General_Rules/Article_05.aspx

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3.13 Competition Equipment

• Balls for warm-up will be provided to teams competing prior to their matches. • Resin for the competing athletes will be available at the Field of Play (FOP). • The Competition Management staff will provide two SELECT, Match Soft, number two

balls for each match.

3.14 Competition Format (subject to change based on team participation)

Divisions Men: Three (3) Divisions Women: One (1) Division Events Men’s Team Play Women’s Team Play After Divisioning, teams in each Division will compete in the following format depending on the number of teams in each group:

• Preliminary Round following the single round robin system • Finals (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4) • Double round robin system

Rankings

Teams are ranked by adding the points gained: • 2 points = win • 1 point = tie • 0 points = lose

If, after completion of the group matches, two or more teams have gained the same number of points, the following ranking system will apply:

• Results in points between the teams concerned; • Goal point difference in the matches between the teams concerned; • Greater number of plus goals in the matches between the teams concerned.

If there is still a tie, the following system is used to decide between these teams:

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• Goal difference is subtracted in all matches; • Greater number of plus goal points in all matches; • Smaller number of minus goal points in all matches.

If a ranking is still not possible, a draw shall decide. The Competition Management will make the draw, in the presence of one Coach per team concerned.

In the knockout matches, if there is a tie upon completion of the playing time, 7-meter throws (penalties) will be executed immediately. No overtime will be played.

3.15 Competition Staging

Athletes should check-in at least 20 minutes prior to competition. Staging volunteers will ensure that the athletes wear the appropriate competition attire. Athletes who fail to report to the staging area 20 minutes prior to the event will be disqualified from competition. Competition staging is an area close to the Field of Play and it serves as a holding area for athletes prior to competition in order to ensure that all athletes will be present for their event. The exact location of competition staging will be announced at the Head Coaches' Meeting.

Head Coaches must ensure athletes/partners are wearing their World Games Credentials at all times, particularly at staging check-in.

3.16 Awards Staging

Teams will be asked to check in at the awards staging area. The awards staging area is designated as a holding area for athletes prior to their awards ceremony in order to ensure that all athletes are present for their ceremony. The time and location of check-in for awards staging will be available at the first Head Coaches' Meeting or at the on-site SID.

Head Coaches must ensure athletes/partners are wearing their World Games Credentials at all times, particularly at staging check-in.

Athletes may not leave the awards staging area without permission of the Awards Supervisor and may not leave without being accompanied by an assigned volunteer. After the awards ceremony, Coaches, HODs or appointed Delegation representatives will be asked to collect their athletes. The specific details of this process will be outlined at the Head Coaches’ Meeting.

Family members are not allowed within the awards staging area. Coaches will be asked to stay with their team and assist with team movements for the award ceremony.

3.17 Awards Ceremony

All awards ceremonies will take place in accordance with the official Special Olympics Sport Rules, giving due respect to the athletes and highlighting their achievements. The awards ceremonies will be held on the Field of Play.

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Medals will be presented to athletes ranked in first through third place, while ribbons will be presented to athletes in fourth through eighth place. Athletes disqualified for technical rules infringements will be awarded a participation ribbon on the last position on the podium. Athletes who are disqualified for un-sportsmanlike behavior will not receive an award. Coaches will not receive awards.

No national flags are permitted during the awards ceremonies. As per Special Olympics standards, no sponsor signage is permitted in the awards area.

In the event that an athlete misses the awards ceremony, their award will be handed to the Coach to give to the athlete.

Detailed information about awards ceremony procedures will be distributed at the first Head Coaches' meeting. Additional updates will be posted at the on-site SID.  

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CHAPTER 4: COACHES' INFORMATION 4.1 Head Coaches' Meetings

The Head Coach MUST attend the first Head Coaches' meeting.

Date: July 25, 2015

Time: 08:00 – 09:30

Location: LACC, 300/400 Level meeting room

All subsequent meetings will be announced at this meeting. The Head Coaches' meeting schedule can be found on the Competition Schedule or at the SID.

Final Declaration will take place at Head Coaches' meetings. The purpose of Final Declaration is for the Head Coaches to verify all registered athlete information. The Head Coach will be provided with a list of all registered athletes, events and other entry information. It will be the Coaches' responsibility to verify all information and/or athlete information at this time.

According to the submitted Final Declarations, declared athletes may be scratched from an event in which they are entered, but no substitution of any other athletes may be made.

Once Head Coaches have signed and submitted their Final Declarations, no subsequent changes can be made.

It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to ensure that athletes are supervised during the Head Coaches' meeting times. Athletes may not attend Head Coaches meetings.

4.2 Coaches' Code of Conduct

Special Olympics is committed to the highest ideals of sport and expects all Coaches to honor sport and Special Olympics. All Special Olympics Coaches agree to observe the following code: Respect for Others

• I will respect the rights, dignity and worth of athletes, Coaches, other volunteers, friends and spectators in Special Olympics.

• I will treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or ability.

• I will be a positive role model for the athletes. Ensure a Positive Experience

• I will ensure that for each athlete I Coach, the time spent with Special Olympics is a positive experience.

• I will respect the talent, developmental stage and goals of each athlete.

• I will ensure each athlete competes in events that challenge that athlete's potential and are appropriate to that athlete's ability.

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• I will be fair, considerate and honest with athletes and communicate with athletes using simple, clear language.

• I will ensure that accurate scores are provided for entry of an athlete into any event.

• I will instruct each athlete to perform to the best of the athlete's ability at all preliminaries and final heats in accordance with the official Special Olympics Sports Rules.

Act Professionally and Take Responsibility for My Actions

• My language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation will demonstrate high standards.

• I will display control, respect, dignity and professionalism to all involved in the sport (athletes, Coaches, opponents, Officials, administrators, parents, spectators, media etc.).

• I will encourage athletes to demonstrate the same qualities.

• I will not drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal drugs while representing Special Olympics at training sessions, competition or during Games.

• I will refrain from any form of personal abuse towards athletes and others, including inappropriate or unwanted sexual advances on others, verbal, physical and emotional abuse.

• I will be alert to any form of abuse from other sources directed toward athletes in my care.

• I will abide by the Special Olympics policy on the prohibition of Coaches dating athletes.

Quality of Service to the Athletes

• I will seek continual improvement through performance evaluation and ongoing Coach education.

• I will be knowledgeable about the Sports Rules and skills of the sport(s) I Coach.

• I will provide a plan for a regular training program.

• I will keep copies of the medical, training and competition records for each athlete I Coach.

• I will follow the official Special Olympics Sports Rules for my sport(s). Health and Safety of Athletes

• I will ensure that the equipment and facilities are safe to use.

• I will ensure that the equipment, rules, training and environment are appropriate for the age and ability of the athletes.

• I will review each athlete's medical form and be aware of any limitations on the athlete's participation noted on that form.

• I will encourage athletes to seek medical advice when required.

• I will maintain the same interest and support toward sick and injured athletes.

• I will allow further participation in training and competition only when appropriate.

I understand that if I violate this Code of Conduct, I will be subject to a range of consequences, up to and including being prohibited from Coaching in Special Olympics.

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4.3 Coaches' Clinics

The purpose of the Coaches’ Clinics is to present best practices and techniques for coaches in order to improve their coaching methods and tactics, or knowledge on the Rules of the Game and discuss important issues on Handball’s development within the Special Olympics International framework. Expert Handball professionals will present in these clinics.

Topics will include: • Future changes in the Rules of the Game • Handball as a Unified Sport Event (USE): The introduction of Beach Handball in the

Special Olympics’ Program.

Handball Coaches' Clinic

Date: July 25, 2015

Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Location: LACC, 300/400 Level meeting room

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CHAPTER 5: OFFICIALS' INFORMATION

5.1 Officials' Meeting It is imperative that all Handball Officials attend the Officials' Meeting.

Date: July 24, 2015

Time: 17:00-19:00 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) Location: LACC, 300/400 Level meeting room

In addition to reviewing all rules of Handball, specific venue information will be given and Officials' credentials and uniforms will be distributed.

5.2 Credentials & Uniform Distribution Credentials and uniforms will be distributed at the Officials' Meeting. Upon receipt, Officials will have to sign a sheet acknowledging receipt. More details will be communicated directly to each Official prior to the first Officials' Meeting regarding access to parking. Officials are required to carry their credentials with them at all times: to park, to enter the venue, to get to any Officials' Lounges, to get on the Field of Play, etc.

5.3 Officials' Uniforms

Officials' Shirt: Officials will wear the GOC supplied purple polo shirt* while officiating the Handball competition. Officials will also be given an official LA2015 hat and a hip-pack to carry personal belongings.

Officials' Coordinating Uniform**: All Officials should wear tan shorts* and non-marking athletic shoes.

Handball Referees' Shirt: GOC will provide a yellow Referee shirt.* Referees must provide at least one more Referee shirt in a color of their choice (red, light blue, orange, grey or black).

Referees' Coordinating Uniform**: All Referees should wear black athletic shorts*, black socks, and non-marking gray or black athletic shoes.

*Please see appendix for Officials' Uniform photographs.

**Officials and Referees must bring their own coordinating clothes to wear with GOC-supplied shirts.

5.4 Check-In & Registration at Competition Venues

All Officials should check in with the Athletes’ and Officials’ Supervisor at the Officials' Lounge, unless directed otherwise by the Technical Delegate or Competition Manager for their sport.

5.5 Officials' Oath "In the name of all Judges and Officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Special Olympics Games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the spirit of sportsmanship.”

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APPENDIX

ACRONYMS ATD: Assistant Technical Delegate CM: Competition Manager FOP: Field of Play GMS: Games Management System GOC: Games Organizing Committee (LA2015) HOD: Head of Delegation ITO: International Technical Official LA2015: Special Olympics World Games Los

Angeles 2015

LACC: Los Angeles Convention Center LMU: Loyola Marymount University SID: Sport Information Desk SOI: Special Olympics, Inc. TD: Technical Delegate UCLA: University of California, Los Angeles USC: University of Southern California USE: Unified Sports Experiences USEC: Unified Sports Evaluation Committee

DELEGATION CODES

AFG Afghanistan ALB Albania ALG Algeria ARG Argentina ARM Armenia ARU Aruba ASA American Samoa AUS Australia AUT Austria AZE Azerbaijan BAH Bahamas BAN Bangladesh BAR Barbados BEL Belgium BEN Benin BHU Bhutan BIH Bosnia and Herzegovina BIZ Belize BLR Belarus BOL Bolivia BON Bonaire BOT Botswana BRA Brazil BRN Bahrain BRU Brunei Darussalam BUL Bulgaria BUR Burkina Faso CAM Cambodia CAN Canada CAY Cayman Islands

CHI Chile CHN China CIV Cote d´Ivoire COD Democratic Republic of Congo COL Colombia CRC Costa Rica CRO Croatia CUB Cuba CUR Curaçao CYP Cyprus CZE Czech Republic DEN Denmark DMA Dominica DOM Dominican Republic ECU Ecuador EGY Egypt ESA El Salvador ESP Spain EST Estonia FIJ Fiji FIN Finland FRA France FRO Faroe Islands GBR Great Britain GEO Georgia Republic GER Germany GHA Ghana GIB Gibraltar GRE Hellas (Greece)

GUA Guatemala GUY Guyana HAI Haiti HKG Hong Kong HON Honduras HUN Hungary INA Indonesia IND Bharat (India) IOM Isle of Man IRI Iran IRL Ireland IRQ Iraq ISL Iceland ISR Israel ISV US Virgin Islands ITA Italy JAM Jamaica JOR Jordan JPN Nippon (Japan) KAZ Kazakhstan KEN Kenya KGZ Kyrgyz Republic KOR Korea KOS Kosovo KSA Saudi Arabia LAO Laos LAT Latvia LBA Libya LCA St. Lucia LIB Lebanon

Delegation codes continued on next page

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DELEGATION CODES CONTINUED

LIE Liechtenstein LTU Lithuania LUX Luxembourg MAC Macau MAR Morocco MAS Malaysia MAW Malawi MDA Moldova MEX Mexico MKD FYR Macedonia MLI Mali MLT Malta MNE Montenegro MGL Mongolia MON Monaco MRI Mauritius MYA Myanmar NAM Namibia NCA Nicaragua NED Netherlands NEP Nepal NGR Nigeria NOR Norway NZL New Zealand PAK Pakistan PAN Panama PAR Paraguay

PER Peru PHI Philippines PLE Palestine PNG Papua New Guinea POL Poland POR Portugal PUR Puerto Rico QAT Qatar ROM Romania RSA South Africa RUS Russia RWA Rwanda SAM Samoa SEN Senegal SEY Seychelles SIN Singapore SKN St. Kitts and Nevis SLO Slovenia SMR San Marino SOM Somalia SRB Serbia SRI Serendib (Sri Lanka) SUD Sudan SUI Switzerland SUR Suriname SVK Slovakia SWE Sweden

SWZ Swaziland SYR Syria TAN Tanzania TGA Tonga THA Thailand TJK Tajikistan TKM Turkmenistan TLS Timor-Leste TOG Togo TPE Chinese Taipei TRI Trinidad and Tobago TUN Tunisia TUR Turkey UAE United Arab Emirates UGA Uganda UKR Ukraine URU Uruguay USA United States of America UZB Uzbekistan VEN Venezuela VIE Vietnam VIN St. Vincent and the Grenadines ZAM Zambia ZIM Zimbabwe

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Advantage (rule of): A clause in the Rules of the Game that gives the Referees the discretion to allow play to continue even after a foul has been committed if stopping play would unfairly punish the fouled team. Announcement: Information released by the Competition Officials. Appeal: Process for requesting a formal change to an official decision. Court players: All the players except for the goalkeepers. Credentials: A pass that officials, team members, media representatives, etc. receive to move freely in certain areas of the sports hall. Clarifications on the Rules: A clarification is used to make a statement in a Rule of the Game more clear. Disqualification: A player may be disqualified by the referees for a number of cases specified in the regulations. In this case the player cannot return on court for the remaining part of the game. Equipment: The uniform, sports shoes and assorted accessories of the players. Fair Play (or Fairplay): Upright conduct and equitable conditions; conformance to the rules, spirit, and etiquette of sport. The ethos of sport. Field of Play: The area where the game is played. Finals: The last and decisive games of the competition.

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Head Coach: The head of the team who gives instructions, makes substitutions and creates the tactics during the game. Match Report: The official document containing the list of participants, the score, the remarks of the referees, etc. The match report is done by the officials seated at the jury table. Players: The members of a team taking part in the game. Player eligibility: The status whether an athlete fulfills all conditions to take part in a game or the competition. Preliminary round: The initial phase of the tournament with all teams competing. Protest and appeals: Official complaint about irregularities experienced during a game, made by a team. Table Officials (Judges): Timekeeper and scorekeeper. Team: The unit with a maximum number of 14 players and four (4) Officials on the match report. Technical (Coaches’) Meeting: The event preceding the competition where the Technical Officials and Team Officials check and agree on technical details, such as the competition regulations, clothing or the team lists, etc. Team Official: A person representing the team, registered in the match report. Technical Delegate: The SOI Official carrying out tasks of event supervision and observation. Technical Officials (TOs): The Technical Delegate, referees and table officials. Uniform: A set of clothes worn by all players and officials of a team to differentiate themselves from the players and officials of the opponent team. Unsportsmanlike conduct/behavior: Physical and verbal expressions that are incompatible with the spirit of good sportsmanship are regarded as constituting unsportsmanlike conduct. Venue: The sports hall where a game takes place. HANDBALL ETHOS FOR ATHLETES, COACHES AND TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

Handball in Special Olympics is based on the principles of “Fair Play”. Every decision has to be taken in accordance with these principles.

Fair Play means: • Respect the health, integrity and body of the players; • Respect the spirit and philosophy of the game; • Respect the flow of the game, but do not tolerate an advantage taken by violating the

Rules.

LA2015 APP INFO

The Official LA2015 World Games app is available via Google Play for Android devices and iTunes for Apple devices.

The app has been designed for social interaction for athletes and spectators. The app has been designed with the following features:

• Official results of the competition will be posted on the app. • Receive important notifications, follow other World Games app users, make friends

and message them personally. • Join the conversation in forums.

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• Get event information (with the ability to bookmark the events you plan to attend), and easy access to all things World Games... and more!

OFFICIALS' UNIFORM

REFEREES' UNIFORM

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND HASHTAGS

LA2015 SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

CHANNEL HANDLE URL

Website LA2015.org

Twitter @LA2015 twitter.com/LA2015

lnstagram @LA2015 instagram.com/LA2015

Facebook @Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 FB.com/LA2015

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

CHANNEL HANDLE URL

Website specialolympics.org

Twitter @SpecialOlympics twitter.com/SpecialOlympics

lnstagram @SpecialOlympics instagram.com/SpecialOlympics

Facebook @SpecialOlympics FB.com/SpecialOlympics

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HASHTAGS

#LA2015 (@ mention is preferred)

#ReachUp

#ReachUpLA

#SpecialOlympics (@ mention is preferred)

#PlayUnified

#UnifiedSports

SPORT RESOURCES PORTAL

LA2015.org has a dedicated portal for Sport Resources including:

• Technical Manuals • Competition Schedules • Officials' meeting schedules • Officials' training materials • Head Coaches' meeting schedules • Frequently Asked Questions • Sport Updates • Venue Information • Additional World Games information for Officials and Coaches

To login to the Sport Resources portal, go to: http://www.LA2015.org/delegation-services/sport-resources. Login Credentials:

Username: LA2015 Password: LA2015

SPORT VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF UNIFORMS

Sport Volunteers will wear lime green polo shirts. All Competition Management will have easy-to-identify credentials. More information will be available at the first Head Coaches' Meeting.

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VENUE MAP Los Angeles Convention Center

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MAP KEY