IEP goals for adapted PE by sport

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated November 1, 2026

Short answer

An adapted PE IEP goal names a skill from the current sport unit, the equipment or rule change, and a criterion counted in the activity. Example: during the basketball unit, Sam will shoot at a 6-foot lowered hoop from 5 feet and make 4 of 10 shots. Write goals that follow the PE calendar so the student practices with the class.

Adapted PE goals work best when they follow the PE calendar. If the class is in a six-week basketball unit, a basketball goal gets practice every class. A goal that sits outside the units gets practiced only in pull-out time. This page organizes goals by sport so an adapted PE teacher can match goals to the year's units.

There are 12 goals in four groups, each with a baseline and a template link. The numbers are illustrations. Who qualifies for adapted PE and what the IEP must say is covered in adapted PE eligibility. PT goals are on the physical therapy IEP goals pillar.

Physical education is part of special education under IDEA, and schools must make it available to every student with a disability, including specially designed PE when the IEP calls for it.^[1]^[2]

How to choose the right adapted PE goal

Plan the year first, then choose goals that fit two or more units if you can.

Student profile	Sub-skill and sport fit	Measurement method
Has basic ball skills, needs them in a game	Shooting, dribbling, passing in basketball or soccer	Successful actions out of 10 or out of game chances
Has trouble with rules, turns and positions	Following game rules in kickball or team games	Correct game actions out of turns
Low endurance, enjoys running or swimming	Track or swimming distance and form	Time, distance or strokes
Limited standing balance or arm strength	Bowling, boccia, seated or ramp sports	Pins, distance from the target
Older student planning for life after school	Lifetime sports: bowling, racket games, community pool	Steps of a community routine; rally length

Basketball goals

During the basketball unit, Sam will take a two-hand set shot at an 8-foot hoop from 8 feet and make 3 of 10 shots. Baseline: 0 of 10; the ball falls short. Template.
During a 2-on-2 game, Eli will dribble past a defender with his weaker hand and keep possession on 3 of 5 possessions. Baseline: 0 of 5; switches to his stronger hand and loses the ball. Template.
During a 3-on-3 game, Omar will stay within arm's length of his assigned player while on defense for 3 of 4 possessions. Baseline: follows the ball, 1 of 4. Template.

Weak: "Sam will participate in basketball." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the shot, the hoop height, the distance and the count.

Soccer and kickball goals

During the soccer unit, Jayden will shoot a ball passed to him into a 6-foot goal from 20 feet on 4 of 10 tries. Baseline: 1 of 10. Template.
During a 4-on-4 soccer game, Kai will move to an open space and call or signal for the ball on 3 of 5 possessions when his team has it. Baseline: 0 of 5; follows the ball. Template.
During kickball, Ruby will run the bases in order and stop at a base when the coach signals, on 3 of 4 times she is on base. Baseline: runs to the wrong base on 3 of 4. Template.

Weak: "Kai will play soccer appropriately." Measurable: Goal 2 above. It counts the target action against his team's possessions.

Track and swimming goals

During the track unit, Ava will wheel a 50-meter dash in her sports chair in under 40 seconds on 3 of 4 trials. Baseline: 65 seconds. Template.
During relay races, Lina will take the baton from a teammate and pass it to the next runner inside the exchange zone on 3 of 4 exchanges. Baseline: drops it or runs past the zone on 3 of 4. Template.
During the swim unit, Theo will swim a pool width (25 feet) with a front crawl, using a flotation belt, without stopping on 3 of 4 trials. Baseline: 8 feet before standing up. Template.

Weak: "Theo will improve swimming." Measurable: Goal 3 above. It names the stroke, the distance, the support and the trials.

Pool goals need a water safety plan with trained staff. Entering and leaving the pool and floating are on the physical fitness PE goals page.

Bowling, boccia and racket game goals

Using a bowling ramp, Leo will aim the ramp and release the ball to knock down at least 3 pins on 6 of 10 frames. Baseline: 2 of 10. Template.
During a boccia game, Zoe will choose to roll or ramp and land a ball closer to the jack than her opponent's nearest ball on 3 of 6 ends. Baseline: 0 of 6. Template.
During the pickleball unit, Mia will serve underhand over the net into the opposite court on 4 of 10 serves. Baseline: 0 of 10. Template.

Weak: "Leo will bowl with his class." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the ramp, the pin count and the number of frames.

Bowling a full frame at a community alley is on the community bowling template, a good fit for transition-age students.

How to measure adapted PE goals

Outcome counts out of 10 trials for shots, passes, hits and throws. Keep the distance and equipment the same.
Time and distance for track, wheeling and swimming. Record the best of 2 or 3 trials.
Game actions out of real game opportunities: passes when open, bases run in order, defensive possessions.
Rubric components when form is the goal. See rubric scoring and the rubric scoring data sheet.

Probe at the start of each unit, weekly during it, and at the end. Units end, but the goal runs all year, so plan where the skill will be practiced between units. The guide on how to measure fitness goals in adapted PE covers fitness tests and probe schedules. For equipment and rule changes that go in the accommodations section, see PE accommodations and rule modifications.

Adapting by grade

Grade band	Typical adapted PE focus	Example unit and goal
K to 2	Basic ball and locomotor skills inside simple games	Tag games: stop on the signal
Grades 3 to 5	Lead-up games for team sports	Kickball: run the bases in order
Middle school	Team sport units with modified rules	Basketball: shoot at a lowered hoop
High school	Lifetime sports and community fitness	Bowling at a community alley; pool laps

Ball skill detail is on ball skills IEP goals. Students who compete in a Special Olympics program can have goals that tie school PE to their sport. Template wording is on the adapted PE role page, sport and game skills and physical fitness PE goals. Paste a draft into the goal checker to catch a missing criterion.

Frequently asked questions

Should adapted PE goals follow the PE units?

When possible. A goal that matches the current unit gets practice every class. Choose skills that carry across units, such as passing or following game rules, so the goal stays active when the unit changes.

Can a student in general PE have adapted PE goals?

Yes. Many students receive adapted PE services inside the general PE class, with the adapted PE teacher consulting or co-teaching. The goals are worked on during regular PE with the supports in the IEP.

How many adapted PE goals should a student have?

Usually two to four, focused on the skills that most limit participation. Too many goals spread practice thin across a short PE schedule.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

34 CFR §300.39: Special education, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.108: Physical education, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.