Training Schools and Certification
Note: Scheduled training schools can be found on our Calendar of Events.
Ongoing coaches education is the most significant factor in the improved training of athletes. The goals of Special Olympics' Coaches Education program are:
- To provide every coach working in a sport with a basic knowledge of that sport (events, rules, basic skills and how to teach those skills).
- To provide all coaches with knowledge about Special Olympics, its history, philosophy and goals.
- To provide all coaches with knowledge about persons with mental retardation and the current trends in this field.
- To provide coaches with information on sports injury, risk management and providing a safe environment.
- To provide a practical experience coaching Special Olympics athletes, in order to put into practice information provided by the Coaches Education Program.
- To provide coaches with general knowledge about the art and science of coaching sports.
Special Olympics' Coaches Certification program is designed to ensure that all persons involved with the coaching of Special Olympics athletes have a minimum base of knowledge about the sport(s) they coach.
- For all state level events, including Sectional Tournaments, each County program is required to have a minimum of one sports specific certified coach present for each sport in which the county is participating.
- Coaches new to Special Olympics must take part in the certification process within one year of beginning coaching.
- Coaches who are currently certified have to renew their sports specific certification every 4 years, either by taking a more advanced level of Special Olympics coaches training, or by taking an approved non-Special Olympics course.
Training and certification programs for individuals with minimum Special Olympics coaching experience or other sports experience, and those with no Special Olympics coaching experience or coaching experience are available to provide potential coaches with the knowledge they need.
The training schools and certifications are:
General Session
A 90 minute presentation covering general aspects of Special Olympics, its history, philosophy, organization and goals, people with intellectual disabilities and the Special Olympics sports program.
Sports Specific Training Schools
Skills: A 4 to 6 hour session covering a specific sport, providing basic knowledge about that sport, fundamental skill development, competition/game understanding, practice plans and the application of the Special Olympics philosophy. These schools are "Learn-by-Doing" schools, giving the coach the opportunity to learn and practice specific sports skills and providing them with immediate opportunities to teach those skills to Special Olympics athletes.
The requirements for achieving certification as a Skills Coach are:
- Attend a General Session.
- Attend a Skills Level sports specific Training School.
- Complete 10 hours of practical coaching experience in the specific sport with Special Olympics athletes, after having attended the sports specific Training School.
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator.
- Principles of Coaching
Tactics: A 4 to 6 hour advanced session covering a specific sport, providing advanced training principles, in-depth skill development, competition tactics and strategies, and how to enhance athlete performance.
The requirements for achieving certification in Tactics are:
- Attend a General Session.
- Attend a Tactics Level sports specific Training School.
- Complete 10 hours of practical coaching experience in the specific sport, with Special Olympics athletes, after having attended the related sports specific Training School.
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator.
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
Designed for the coach without Special Olympics coaching experience, this 3 to 4 hour course will present information on Special Olympics athletes, Special Olympics coaching, sports training and competition.
The requirements for achieving certification in Coaching Special Olympics Athletes are:
- Attend a General Session
- Attend a Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Seminar
- Complete 20 hours of practical coaching experience with Special Olympics athletes, after having attended the related sports specific Training School
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator
Principles of Coaching
Provides an advanced view of coaching sports, looking at philosophy and science of coaching athletes. Local coaches are trained as instructors to provide this training.
The requirements for achieving certification in Principles of Coaching are:
- Attend a Principles of Coaching course.
- Complete 10 hours of practical coaching experience with Special Olympics athletes.
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator.
Unified Sports®
Provides training on the goals, philosophy, rules and starting a Unified Sports® Program and is essential for coaches and athlete partners who are involved with Unified Sports®.
The requirements for achieving certification in Unified Sports are:
- Attend a Unified Sports® Training School
- Complete 10 hours of practical coaching experience with a Unified Sports® team, after having attended the Unified Sports® Training School
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator
Motor Activities Training Program (M.A.T.P.)
Provides an overview on the goals and philosophy of M.A.T.P., working with the population participating in M.A.T.P., suggested activities and how to organize a M.A.T.P. Training Day.
The requirements for achieving certification in M.A.T.P. are:
- Attend a General Session
- Attend a M.A.T.P. Training School
- Complete 10 hours of practical coaching experience in M.A.T.P. with Special Olympics athletes, after having attended the sports specific Training School
- Submit a completed Application for Special Olympics Certification to your County Training Director or County Coordinator
Comprehensive Mentoring (Sports Mentoring and Assistance)
Special Olympics recognizes that individuals with considerable coaching experience either within Special Olympics or in other sports programs have or can provide valuable coaching experience to our sports programs. The Comprehensive Mentoring Program has been designed to provide certification to those individuals who wish to utilize their existing experience. Experienced Special Olympics Certified Coaches (with at least 4 years experience) will partner with existing Special Olympics Non-Certified coaches to work to achieve specific competencies and certification as a coach. An experienced coach with no prior Special Olympics experience could take part in a similar program after taking the General Orientation and the Coaching Special Olympics Athletes seminar.
Recertification Options
Coaches with a SKILLS LEVEL certification may attend one of the following Special Olympics Training Courses to achieve recertification:
- Principles of Coaching
- Tactics-level Course in a specific sport
Coaches can also be re-certified by participating in the Comprehensive Mentoring Program.
Training courses from outside of Special Olympics can also be attended and quality for the recertification process. These courses could include (but are not limited to):
- CPR courses and CPR recertification
- Red Cross Sports First Aid Course
- National Governing Body sports specific coaches clinics
Persons taking such courses for recertification purposes must have prior approval of the Special Olympics Florida Director of Sports and Training.
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