Become a Coach

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Special Olympics South Carolina coach. Complete these simple steps to become a Certified Coach.

Coaches must be at least 18 years of age. Anyone between the ages of 14-17 can attend a training/take an online course to become a Junior Coach.

  • Each sport team or Area attending a State level competition must have at least one (1) Certified Coach in each specific sport they have competing at the event.
  • A person must be a Certified Coach to serve as a Coach on a regional, national or international level.

For any questions or for more information contact: Kelly Garrick, Senior Director of Sports & Competition – kgarrick@so-sc.org.

COACH INTEREST FORM
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COACHING RESOURCES
SPORTS RESOURCES
CERTIFIED COACH
MAINTAINING YOUR COACH CERTIFICATION

COACHING RESOURCES

  • Training Courses & Requirements for Class-A Volunteers, Sports Assistants, and Coaches
  • Extra Trainings to make you an extraordinary coach
  • Rules that govern the Special Olympics movement
  • Planning your season
  • Keeping the athletes healthy off the playing field
  • Resource documents and printables

    • SPORTS RESOURCES

  • Get More Sports Resources.

    • CERTIFIED COACH

  • Contact your local Area Program.
  • Complete the Class A Volunteer Registration.
  • Complete the General Orientation and confirmation test.
  • Complete Protective Behaviors a 15 minute online course to learn how to recognize and handle signs of abusive behaviors.
  • Complete Concussion Recognition.
  • Complete Coaching Special Olympics Athletes and confirmation test.
  • If coaching a Unified Sports Team, complete the Coaching Unified Sports course through the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS)
  • Request a Sports Skills Course in your sport of interest.
  • Complete TEN practicum hours, time actually spent training Special Olympics athletes after attending a training school.

    • ADVANCED CERTIFIED COACH

  • Complete Principles of Coaching and take the online confirmation test
  • Complete the Heat Illness Prevention course through NFHS.

    • MAINTAINING YOUR COACH CERTIFICATION

    Your coach certification is valid for three (3) years. To avoid expiration, take one of the following courses:

  • General Orientation.
  • Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
  • Concussion Recognition
  • Unified Sports Course
  • Principles of Coaching
  • First Aid
  • National Federation of High Schools Course
  • National Governing Body Sports Course
  • CoachTube
    • COACHING RESOURCES

    COACHING RESOURCES

  • Training Courses & Requirements for Class-A Volunteers, Sports Assistants, and Coaches
  • Extra Trainings to make you an extraordinary coach
  • Rules that govern the Special Olympics movement
  • Planning your season
  • Keeping the athletes healthy off the playing field
  • Resource documents and printables
    • SPORTS RESOURCES

    SPORTS RESOURCES

  • Get More Sports Resources.
    • CERTIFIED COACH

    CERTIFIED COACH

  • Contact your local Area Program.
  • Complete the Class A Volunteer Registration.
  • Complete the General Orientation and confirmation test.
  • Complete Protective Behaviors a 15 minute online course to learn how to recognize and handle signs of abusive behaviors.
  • Complete Concussion Recognition.
  • Complete Coaching Special Olympics Athletes and confirmation test.
  • If coaching a Unified Sports Team, complete the Coaching Unified Sports course through the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS)
  • Request a Sports Skills Course in your sport of interest.
  • Complete TEN practicum hours, time actually spent training Special Olympics athletes after attending a training school.

    • ADVANCED CERTIFIED COACH

  • Complete Principles of Coaching and take the online confirmation test
  • Complete the Heat Illness Prevention course through NFHS.
    • MAINTAINING YOUR COACH CERTIFICATION

    MAINTAINING YOUR COACH CERTIFICATION

    Your coach certification is valid for three (3) years. To avoid expiration, take one of the following courses:

  • General Orientation.
  • Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
  • Concussion Recognition
  • Unified Sports Course
  • Principles of Coaching
  • First Aid
  • National Federation of High Schools Course
  • National Governing Body Sports Course
  • CoachTube

    • “After being involved with Special Olympics Powerlifting, I know it's building more than just strength and power. Special Olympics builds confidence, endurance, and a sense of dedication that supports athletes in everyday life!”

    Carl Ritchie, Powerlifting Coach

    A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

    The Long Family
    MUSC
    Atlas Tech
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    Dominion Energy
    BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
    Children’s Relief Fund
    Publix
    Law Enforcement Torch Run
    South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
    Business Development Club
    Knights of Columbus