Position: Coach

Description: The Special Olympics coach is responsible for providing athletes with comprehensive sports training and competition experiences according to the purpose, mission, and philosophy of Special Olympics.

Responsibilities:

1. Select, assess, and train Special Olympics athletes.
   • Recruit athletes and complete and submit all required medical and registration materials by established deadlines.
   • Assess the skill of each athlete or team, determining the appropriate events and levels for training and competition in the selected sports.
   • Develop individual training programs for each athlete including fundamental skill instruction, strength and conditioning activities, and instruction on competition and rules. This training program will be a minimum of eight weeks duration.
2. Apply and abide by the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules.
3. Apply the skills and rules of the sport being coached.
4. Develop family and volunteer support to enhance athlete training opportunities.
5. Make sport training and competition a fun experience.
6. Execute the legal duties of a coach:
   • Provide a safe environment.
   • Properly plan the activity.
   • Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity.
   • Match or equate athletes.
   • Provide adequate and proper equipment.
   • Warn of inherent risks in the sport.
   • Supervise the activity closely.
   • Know emergency procedures and first aid.
   • Have a first-aid certified coach on site at all training sessions.
   • Keep accurate record

Help for the Coach

Families are encouraged to take an active role in the Special Olympics program. Coaches may call upon family members of all ages to help as:

• Assistant coaches
• Recruiters of athletes or other volunteers
• Fundraisers for equipment and uniforms
• Transportation providers
• Record keepers
• Chaperones for travel

A 60-minute Orientation for family members before the start of the season might include:

• Introduction of coaches and volunteers
• Special Olympics mission and philosophy
• Coaching philosophy
• Demonstration by athletes, or slides, or video of athletes in the sport
• Program specifics – dates, times, procedures
• How families can help

Questions and answers

Hawaii coaches must uphold the highest ideals of sport and abide by a Coaches Code of Conduct.

For more information about coaching within the Special Olympics Hawaii program please contact Dan Epstein at sports@specialolympicshawaii.org.