Become A Coach

Step 1: Courses for all Coaches (assistant and head coaches) – Whether you are a new or seasoned coach, the following three trainings must be up to date in your record:

• Complete a SOPA Volunteer Application and Class A Background Checks (for 18 and over).
• General Orientation – Click here for Online Training. This is a general introduction to Special Olympics and any new volunteer or coach should take this training prior to working with athletes.
• Protective Behavior Training – Online Training that must now be completed every three years. Available by clicking here, this training must be completed by all new and existing Class A volunteers (16 years of age and older) prior to working with Special Olympics athletes.
• Concussion Training – Online Training that must now be completed every three years. Available by clicking here, this training must be completed by all new and existing Coaches prior to working with Special Olympics athletes.
• Athletes as Coaches at Athlete Leadership University – This training is optional but highly encouraged for ATHLETES. It trains athletes that currently are, or want to become, certified coaches make the transition from a competitor to a coach. Click here for Athletes as Coaches Frequently Asked Questions.

Step 2: Becoming a Certified Coach – within a year of working with a program a volunteer coach should consider becoming certified in one of two ways:

• New Coach (skills) – Work with your programs Training Coordinator to schedule for an upcoming training school. A Training School includes rules updates, organizing an eight week training plan, and best practices in coaching Special Olympics Athletes. Sport Skills Program materials are provided to each participant.
  • Please note: All new coaches trainings are in-person.
  • For a complete list of upcoming training schools please click here.
• Practicum Hours – After completing your in-person training you will need to participate in 10 hours of practicum (working with the athletes). Directions on submitting your 10 hours of practicum:
  • Sport Training Application: How to Enter your Practicum Hours Webinar
  • Webinar PowerPoint Presentation
• New Coaches with Sport Experience – If you are a new coach with sport experience you are encouraged to complete a Sports Training Application and submit it for approval. Track 2 – Experienced Coach Application
  Once approved by the SOPA Training department you will be directed to take the basic course – Coaching Special Olympics Athletes and complete 10 hours of practicum. Coaching Special Olympics Athletes is an overview of four components: athlete, coach, training and competition.

Step 3: Continuing Education – this training is for certified coaches. Coaches must receive continuing education training every 3 years to maintain their certification. There are two types of continuing education:

• Sport Specific – The coach takes a course or clinic that focuses on one sport. Ex. Equestrian Clinic on Showmanship at Summer Games.
  • A sport specific training updates the sport focused on in the course or clinic. In the example the coaches’ Equestrian certification will be updated for 3 years.
• Non-Sport Specific – The coach takes an on-line training or clinic that provides information to a coach for many sports. Example: NFHS – Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment.
  • Non-Sport Specific course will update all sports that a coach is currently certified in. If the coach is certified in Alpine Skiing and Aquatics – both of these course will be updated using the non-sport specific continuing education course taken.
• Once certified in a sport a coach will not take a skills course in that sport again unless they do not take their continuing educations courses/clinics.
• For a complete list of courses which will meet the Continuing Education requirement of the SOPA Coach Education Program, please click here.