Coach Responsibilities
Without Limits Team Galaxy coaches must have a Class “A” on file with the state. It is the responsibility of coaches to review their Sports Training Guide prior to every season. Coaches will also become certified coaches under the Illinois Special Olympics guidelines within two years of being assigned as a coach for a specific sport. Coaches must also have a Class A on file prior to the season in which they plan to coach.
Without Limits Team Galaxy will also adhere to the new Special Olympics Illinois and Special Olympics’ Coach Development Model. The Coach Development Model (CDM) provides a framework for SO Programs to certify coaches and recognizes specific coach qualifications. Following the CDM, SO Programs will recruit and train coaches to fit into the SOI Athlete
Development Model (ADM).
Coaches trained under the CDM support a lifelong sports experience for our SO athletes along their different sports development paths. The CDM model also offers guidance and new ideas on how best to work with local sports governing bodies to train and certify coaches. The CDM delivers optimum sports experiences to athletes at all levels and trains coaches to provide excellent instruction, advice, and motivation.
There are five (5) key steps to becoming a certified Special Olympics Coach:
Special Olympics Illinois Mandatory Certification
There are a few instances where certification in a specific sport is mandatory for agency participation. In order for an agency to participate in the sport one coach listed on the coach/chaperone roster must be certified in the sport.
Requirements to become a Without Limits-Team Galaxy coach: – Meet SOI coaches certification standards (5 criteria-General Orientation; basics of Coaching of SO athletes; Coaching specific sports; 10 hours practicum as verified/endorsed by the local SO Program) – Additional basic sports specific knowledge. It should include also training in Sports Federation course (knowledge of sport rules, coaching & event management), Sport-specific science knowledge: sports injury prevention, nutrition, sports psychology. Again, this must be done by the end of the second year with Without Limits-Team Galaxy.
Additional Information
Recommended training videos and Training
This policy is now in effect - October 2024
Without Limits Team Galaxy will also adhere to the new Special Olympics Illinois and Special Olympics’ Coach Development Model. The Coach Development Model (CDM) provides a framework for SO Programs to certify coaches and recognizes specific coach qualifications. Following the CDM, SO Programs will recruit and train coaches to fit into the SOI Athlete
Development Model (ADM).
Coaches trained under the CDM support a lifelong sports experience for our SO athletes along their different sports development paths. The CDM model also offers guidance and new ideas on how best to work with local sports governing bodies to train and certify coaches. The CDM delivers optimum sports experiences to athletes at all levels and trains coaches to provide excellent instruction, advice, and motivation.
There are five (5) key steps to becoming a certified Special Olympics Coach:
- SO Orientation
- A Coaching the SO Athlete Course: This includes a course on first aid & principles of coaching
- A Specific Sports Coaching Course
- Mentorship
- Endorsement
- Class A, Protective Behaviors and Concussion Awareness – Active Class A volunteers will have background checks done every 4 years. The Protective Behaviors and Concussion Awareness trainings must also be completed at this time.
- General Orientation - This course is designed to provide basic information concerning Special Olympics as a whole. This course is a prerequisite for other courses and is required for certification. (http://www.soill.org/general-orientation/)
- Sport Specific Skills Courses - These courses are designed to provide basic information regarding techniques and instructional methods for teaching basic sports skills, organizing training sessions, and providing competition experience.
- Principles of Coaching - This course is designed to provide valuable information to assist with identifying a coaching philosophy, recruiting a coaching staff, designing training sessions, enhancing administrative and management skills, and addressing sports safety and risk management.
- Tactics Course - Courses are designed to provide information on sports specific strategies and tactics such as creating drills, preparing for competition, developing strategies, enhancing coaching, and training athletes to be leaders.
Special Olympics Illinois Mandatory Certification
There are a few instances where certification in a specific sport is mandatory for agency participation. In order for an agency to participate in the sport one coach listed on the coach/chaperone roster must be certified in the sport.
Requirements to become a Without Limits-Team Galaxy coach: – Meet SOI coaches certification standards (5 criteria-General Orientation; basics of Coaching of SO athletes; Coaching specific sports; 10 hours practicum as verified/endorsed by the local SO Program) – Additional basic sports specific knowledge. It should include also training in Sports Federation course (knowledge of sport rules, coaching & event management), Sport-specific science knowledge: sports injury prevention, nutrition, sports psychology. Again, this must be done by the end of the second year with Without Limits-Team Galaxy.
Additional Information
- Remember Special Olympics calls for a ratio of four to one. One of those individuals MUST be a certified coach. Assistant coaches can hold a “Class A”, but must adhere to Without Limits-Team Galaxy coaches’ responsibility. It is recommended they get their certification as a coach in their second year.
- Coaches should adhere to the Special Olympics Illinois and Without Limits Team Galaxy Severe Weather Policy.
- Coaches should adhere to the Without Limits Team Galaxy and Special Olympics Illinois Housing Policy.
- Coaches should adhere to Special Olympics Illinois and Without Limits Team Practice policy.
- Coaches should send a list of needed equipment to the SOID prior to the season.
- Coaches should send a list to the SOID of all athletes with sizes of uniform needed in the first week of the season. This way the SOID can check Med Apps and assure Without Limits Team Galaxy has the correct uniforms for the sport. (NOTE: Some sports require specific uniform numbering.)
- Without Limits-Team Galaxy coaches are required to hold at least eight (one-hour) practices prior to regional competitions. (This is a state requirement.) 8 Weeks Minimum.
- Without Limits-Team Galaxy has added three assessment sessions for a 11-week program before regionals. A sports season lasts approximately 4 months, during which athletes must train for a minimum of 8 weeks under the direction of a certified coach to be eligible to compete in any Special Olympics events (state requirements).
- Coaches should come to the practice with a designed practice. Including warm-up, practice and a cool down. Example using soccer: Warm-up, teach technical aspect or skill, small sided game, full game, then cool down)
- It is the responsibility of coaches to review their Sports Training Guide prior to every season. Coaches will also become certified coaches under the Illinois Special Olympics guidelines within two years of being assigned as a coach for a specific sport. Coaches must have a Class A on file prior to the season in which they plan to coach. This is outlined in the Special Olympics Coach Development Model.
- To assist the coach in developing the athletes, coaches should send out Without Limits-Team Galaxy and coaches’ “Values and Coaching Philosophy” prior to the first official practice
- Remember a coach’s education never ends. Skills and tactics in each sport evolve and it is crucial that coaches are kept up-to-date on best practices in nutrition, psychology, and injury prevention. Without Limits-Team Galaxy coaches should continually improve your knowledge and understanding of best practice of the game.
- Key to success is communication. Coaches should be sending a weekly email to tell athletes upcoming events and practices
- Coaches should complete their specific sports paperwork on a timely basis. This means complete forms must be sent to the SOID two weeks prior to them being turned into regional and state offices. Forms must be typed and ready to send to the regional office. Once Special Olympics goes to the computer filing system, coaches must complete the forms and make a copy to send to the SOID.
Recommended training videos and Training
- Sports & Coaching (specialolympics.org)
- Coaching Special Olympics Athletes online course
- Principles of Special Olympics Coaching Course
- 2025 Policies and procedures (Note: Coaches can get their forms for their sport-Should review before the training sessions begin)
- National Federation High School training (Go to right corner and set up an account with the registration)
This policy is now in effect - October 2024