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Become a Coach
The first step in becoming a Special Olympics Minnesota coach is to
find a delegation in your area in need of your time and talents and speak with them about joining their coaching team. Once you have joined a delegation, you will need to complete the training outlined below based on the level of commitment you have made to that delegation.
Special Olympics Minnesota believes that in order to best deliver our program of year-round sports training and competition to our athletes, we need to have trained coaches with a baseline of sports specific and Special Olympics knowledge. General Special Olympics knowledge is obtained through completion of the General Orientation and Protective Behaviors training.
Sports and specific Special Olympics sports rules knowledge is obtained through attendance at sports-specific coaches (Level II training schools sports season) training schools.
Required training for coaches is outlined in and administered through the Special Olympics Minnesota Coach Education Program. This was originally adopted in 1997 and modified in 2003 in accordance with Special Olympics Incorporated mandated guidelines for coach education. The modifications in 2003 added a requirement that all Special Olympics Minnesota coaches receive continuing education every four years in order to maintain their coaching status.
In order to provide a safe environment for our athletes to train and compete and to provide appropriate skill instruction, we require a defined ratio of trained coaches to athletes at practices, area and state competitions. Trained coaches impact not only the success of the athletes at competition, but the quality of the competition experience as they gain the knowledge of what to expect at competitions. Coaches also learn how the general rules of the sport are modified for Special Olympics.
In addition to the formalized training offered through the Coach Education Program, we have compiled additional training materials and links to relevant training information to assist you in your preparation as a Special Olympics coach. For a list of the documents available, go to the Coaches Resource Page.
The steps to becoming a Special Olympics Minnesota coach are: 1) Complete a Volunteer Application.
2) Click here for the online General Orientation and Protective Behaviors Training.
3) Attend a sports-specific (Level II) Training School.
a. Training schools are offered throughout the state of Minnesota approximately 12-16 weeks prior to the state competition in a sport.
b. Click here for a listing of current sports specific training schools.
c. Individuals can attend any training school in any sport in any area.
d. Special Olympics Minnesota has committed to providing training schools in the sports of softball, aquatics, athletics and bowling in each area of the state. All other sports training schools are set up based on need within an area (for a training school request form, click here).
4) Complete a 10-hour practicum working with Special Olympics athletes in your chosen sport.
5) Complete an Application for Sports Certification (obtained at the training school).
6) Every four years, complete continuing education relevant to your role as a volunteer coach and take a recertification test in your chosen sport.
a. Continuing Education can be completed through an individuals current job, through training such as the American Red Cross First Aid and CPR course or through Special Olympics Minnesota courses such as the Principles of Coaching, Coaching Special Olympics Athletes or Games Management Training.
i. Many Special Olympics Minnesota sponsored continuing education courses are offered at the Leadership Conference in January.
b. Continuing Education is also available in basketball, softball and volleyball through the completion of American Sports Education Program online courses (click for more information).
7) For those interested, additional training is available beyond these steps.
a. Coach Mentoring Program – This program pairs an experienced coach with a new coach for mentoring and development of coaching skills and strategies.
b. Train-the-Instructor Training – Volunteers can become trained Special Olympics Minnesota instructors in Sports Skills Courses, Principles of Coaching, Coaching Special Olympics Athletes, Games Management and General Orientation/Protective Behaviors.
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