Becoming a
CERTIFIED
Special Olympics Southern California
coach
Becoming a certified Special Olympics in Southern CA
coach involves the following components:
1.
Attend the Special Olympics General
Orientation & Protective Behaviors prerequisites
2.
Participate in approved “Coaching
Special Olympics Athletes” and “Sport
Skills” courses
3.
Complete a minimum of 10 practicum hours
4.
Complete
the Special Olympics Application for Sports Training
Certification and submit it to your
local “Area” Special Olympics Program.
Upon completion, you are eligible for
certification. Education and certification is
looked at as an ongoing experience. In order to
provide the best experiences for athletes,
continuing education (updating, or upgrading
education) is necessary every 4 years from
issuance of Coaches’ Certification card.
All Special Olympics coaches must take the General
Orientation & Protective Behaviors classes to begin
the coach’s certification process (a prospective
coach may not take any other classes
before taking the prerequisites). These
“Prerequisites” are taken once and are good for a
lifetime.
The first level of the Coach Education System is the
sport-specific “Sport Skills”
course and the “Coaching Special Olympics
Athletes Course”. These courses are
given each of the six (6) SOSC regions and in
accordance with the yearly training schedule.
January – February
Coaches’ Training for Summer Sports
Ø
Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Equestrian,
Golf, Gymnastics, Sailing, & Tennis
July – August
Coaches’ Training for Fall Sports
Ø
Bowling, Cycling, Power-Lifting, Roller-Skating,
Soccer, Softball, & Volleyball
November – December (following 1st
snowfall)
Coaches’ Training for Winter Sports (Annually at Big
Bear)
Ø
Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating,
Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, Snow Shoeing, & Speed
Skating
“We are drawn together and inspired by the heroic
achievements of others.”
