MATP - Motor Activity Training Programme @Home

What is MATP? (Motor Activity Training Programme) MATP® was developed by Special Olympics and is a movement-based sports programme that provides meaningful sport and physical activity for young people with severe/profound, multiple impairments (PMLD) and Complex Support Needs. It is made up if FOUR core sport specific MATP® skill areas. These include: 1. Mobility (gross motor skills) 2. Dexterity (fine motor skills) 3. Kicking (lower body skills) 4. Striking (upper body skills)

MATP - Motor Activity Training Programme @Home

Mobility: Any activities that involves an individual moving themselves. •  Assisted walk (can be slalom or obstacles too) • Self-propelling in a wheelchair (can be slalom too) • Moving across a mat (log roll) 

Dexterity: Activities around fine manipulation and throwing. •  Throwing activities • Grasp and release activities • Knocking down skittles using a variety of balls/ramps • Bean bag lift and drop 

Kicking: Moving anything with their lower body. •  Pushing a ball/skittles/cones with legs or feet        • Walking through skittles 

Striking: Moving anything with the upper body. •  Hitting balls with any racket to a target • Sliding an item off a table • Knocking a ball down a ramp with the hand/arm/shoulder/head • Hitting items suspended at eye-level or shoulder height

  

It is important to have a variety of activities pitched at different ability levels as with MATP® there is always a wide spectrum of needs and abilities. Have a warm-up activity – parachute games work really well. Balloons on the parachute, using two parachutes and throwing balls from one to the other and support it all with loud upbeat music. When the warm-up is finished, direct people to move around in smaller groups to try different activity stations. Have a cool-down activity to finish. You may want to use the parachute again but in a more relaxed way with relaxing music. You could use a sensory cool down with fans and scarves to help athletes relax. This will provide a clear ending to the event.

  

Here are some videos and ideas below that tell you about each skill and how they can be adapted at home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iv0eFF7pk8 Mobility

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx3ZcuVFlXU&t=10s Striking

https://youtu.be/xdQ-vTichR0 Kicking

https://youtu.be/Sqx9h2jBD88 Dexterity

South Bucks SGO Area

The South Bucks SGO area and Sports Partnership is hosted by Alfriston School. Alfriston School is a special needs girl's school based in Beaconsfield. Alfriston is the Lead Inclusion School for Buckinghamshire and we believe in 'a sporting chance for every child'. We have a comprehensive calendar of School Games Inclusive competitions and festivals throughout the year and work with a number of County and community partners to bring about the best opportunities for staff and pupils in Bucks.

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