Coaching Overview   

Coaches play a unique and indispensable role in Special Olympics around the world. Coaches provide the sports skills and spirit that define a true athlete. In addition, coaches are role models and character builders. Coaches give Special Olympics athletes the most immediate awareness of their own worth, ability, courage and capacity to grow and improve.

Special Olympics Coaches:

• Obtain necessary facilities and equipment for training
• Help to recruit athletes and assistant coaches
• Assist athletes in learning sports skills and applying them in competitions
• Encourage confidence and self-esteem through sports
• Conduct demonstrations in the community
• Start Unified Sports® teams
• Register athletes for competitions

Special Olympics coaches often find that the personal rewards received are equal to or even outweigh the benefits they offer the athletes. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life.

Throughout the Special Olympics Minnesota coaches section, you will find information to assist you in becoming a Special Olympics coach, preparing your athletes for participation in Special Olympics sports, completing the basic training requirements of a Special Olympics Minnesota general volunteer or coach and other helpful information about coaching in the Special Olympics program.

This information is broken down into four main sections (click on the section heading to go to that section):

• General Coaching Information
  • How to become a Special Olympics Minnesota Coach
  • Tips on recruiting coaches
  • Coaches Code of Conduct
  • The Mission of Special Olympics Minnesota 
  • Links to Additional Coaching Resources   
  • Special Olympics Minnesota Leadership Conference Information and Brochure
• Coaches Education Page
  • Behavioral Strategies for Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
  • Developing a Training Plan 
  • Principles of Training
  • Outline of the Special Olympics Minnesota Coach Education Program  
  • Sample Training Sessions
  • Online Training Opportunities
    • General Orientation and Protective Behaviors Training
    • Level II Recertification Tests
    • Information on and links to ASEP Online Recertification Course
  • Calendar of Upcoming Training Opportunities 
  • Links to Additional Coaches Education Resources
• Sports Offered  
  • Special Olympics Incorporated Sports Rules
  • Special Olympics Minnesota Sports Participation by Sport, Delegation and Area
  • Competition Opportunities Within Each Sport
    • Registration forms for State Competitions
  • FAQ by Sport – availabe on each individual sports page
  • Sample Eight-Week Training Plans – available on each individual sports page
  • Sports Rules Clarifications – available on each individual sports page
  • Drills – available on each individual sports page
  • Sports-Specific Tips – available on each individual sports page
• Online Training
  • General Orientation
  • Protective Behaviors Training
  • Level II Recertification Tests
  • Information on and links to ASEP Online Recertification Course

The goal of the coach section of the Special Olympics Minnesota Web site is to provide you with the resources to become a successful volunteer coach and to ensure you have an enjoyable experience. To that end, we will be continually reviewing and updating the information on these pages to provide you with the latest and most relevant information possible, so please check back often for new information and new technological advances designed to make the site even more user friendly. 

If you have suggestions for content to add to the site, would like more information on becoming a Special Olympics Minnesota coach or to find a local program with which to coach, please contact Dave Martin.