Coach Registration
The current Special Olympics Coaches Education System was developed to meet the needs of both new and experienced coaches. The training program features two tracks, one for the sport-qualified but non-Special Olympics experienced individual, the other for the sport qualified and non-Special Olympics experienced individual.
Special Olympics Coaches often find that the personal rewards received are equal to, or even outweigh the benefits they offer their athletes. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life.
The key to improving athlete performance and well-being is based on the quality of training and experiences provided by the Special Olympics coach. The Special Olympics Coaches Education System identifies basic standards and competencies necessary and essential for being a Special Olympics coach.
Becoming a certified Special Olympics coach involves the following components:
- Complete a Class A Volunteer Registration form
- Take the General Orientation course online.
- Take the Protective Behaviors course
- Participate in an approved course.
- Complete a minimum of 10 hours in teaching and coaching Special Olympics athletes.
- Complete the Special Olympics Application for Sports Training Certification and submit it to Special Olympics New Jersey.
Upon completion, you are eligible for certification. Education and certification is looked at as an ongoing experience. In order to provide the best experiences for athletes, continuing education (updating, or upgrading education) is necessary and essential.
Courses:
General Orientation
The General Orientation course is a basic introduction to Special Olympics. It covers the Special Olympics mission and philosophy, organizational history and structure, intellectual disabilities and eligibility, and sports opportunities, initiatives and rules. The General Orientation is necessary for all who are interested in working with Special Olympics athletes.
The non-sport qualified/non-Special Olympics experienced candidate track offers a variety of additional training opportunities. After each one of the courses, coaches complete 10 hours of practical experience working with Special Olympics athletes in order to complete certification. (Add a link to take the course online) Link to the Courses Available Online:
- Download the General Orientation Session packet for future referrence.
- Review the General Orientation slide show.
- Complete the General Orientation Session Exercise online.
- Once the exercise has been completed and submitted via email, you will be credited with completing the course.
Sport Specific Skills
The Sport Specific Skills course is offered in each of the 24 Special Olympics New Jersey sports and focuses on the basic skills and strategies of the sport. It provides an application of the Special Olympics mission and philosophy in a sport-specific way. The Skills Course includes a classroom session, an activity session performing the skills with the lead trainers, and a model training session with athletes.
Principles of Coaching
The Principles of Coaching course is non-sport-specific. It addresses the basic principles of coaching: coaching philosophy, planning and coaching administration, fitness and conditioning, and safety and risk management.
Tactics
The Tactics course is sport-specific and focuses on development of higher-level sport skills, game or event tactics and strategies, expanded skill instruction and athlete performance enhancement.
Comprehensive Mentoring
In this course, a coach works with and is mentored by an experienced Special Olympics or mainstream coach. The coach who is being trained participates in a variety of opportunities, such as staff briefings, practice sessions, weight training sessions, competitions, etc. The sport-qualified but non-Special Olympics experienced coaches-to-be track includes 20 hours of practical experience working with Special Olympics athletes in order to complete certification.
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
This course focuses on what a sport-qualified person needs to know about the athlete, added responsibilities of the coach, training the athlete and preparing the athlete for competition. A practical component in working with Special Olympics New Jersey athletes under the supervision and guidance of a lead trainer also is offered.
Additional Training
Coaches are encouraged and recognized for participating in other approved non-Special Olympics coaches education that includes, but is not limited to, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rules updates, managing athlete behavior and protective behavior, national governing body courses, training updates, etc.
In addition to the above core training opportunities, Special Olympics now offers online courses to Special Olympics coaches through a partnership with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP).