Become a Coach
How to Become a Coach
In order to bring the best out of each athlete and their abilities SOSD requires coaching certification out of all coaches. The certifications are broken down into levels. The requirement calls for all SOSD coaches to become Level 1 certified and all Head Coaches and HODs (Heads of Delegation) to become Level 2 certified.
All coaches must meet their certification requirements in order to participate in future SOSD competitions.
Re-certification must be completed 3 years after a coach’s most recent level of certification.
This re-certification calls for a coach to complete a coaching course to stay certified.
All questions regarding Coaches Education can be directed to Matt Bird at mbird@sosd.org.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Coach
1. Obtain Class A volunteer status
- See Steps on How to Become a Class A Volunteer
- All coaches and unified partners must be Class A volunteers
- This includes completing the Protective Behaviors course
2. Obtain certified coach status by completing Level 1
- All Head Coaches and HODs must complete Level 2 to be certified for those positions
3. Re-certify by following in the progression for certification of the next level
Level 1
Required Courses:
General Orientation
- Must complete General Orientation by attending an in-person course, via webinar, or by watching the course video below:
- Upon completion these two pieces must be completed, the Application for Coaches Training Certification and the General Orientation Quiz:
- They can be emailed to Matt Bird at mbird@sosd.org.
Concussions in Sports
Gaining access and completing course:
1. Contact Matt Bird at mbird@sosd.org with your course request (or user can find the course here: Concussion in Sport)
2. Provide name(s) and email(s) for course to be sent to. Each person must have separate email.
3. Each person will then receive an email asking to accept the course. That link will direct the user to the nfhslearn.com website to create an account.
4. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will is accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”
5. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to mbird@sosd.org.
Coaching Unified Sports
Note: Only required if coaching or playing a unified sport. Partners under the of age of 16 are not required to complete.
Gaining access and completing course:
1. Contact Cathy Grubb at cgrubb@sosd.org with your course request (or user can find the course here: Coaching Unified Sports)
2. Provide name(s) and email(s) for course to be sent to. Each person must have separate email.
3. Each person will then receive an email asking to accept the course. That link will direct the user to the nfhslearn.com website to create an account.
4. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will is accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”
5. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to mbird@sosd.org.Ma
Level 2
Required Courses:
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
Note: Special Olympics South Dakota covers the cost of this course. All Heads of Delegations (HODs) and head coaches must be Level 2 certified.
Gaining access and completing the course:
1. Contact Matt Bird at mbird@sosd.org with your course request.
2. A key code will then be given to you.
3. Go to the Human Kinetics Coaching Education Center at: www.asep.com
4. Create an account and then click on “Begin or Continue My Online Course.” Here you will find a link to click reading “Enter a key code.” Enter the given key code and the course should appear.
5. Upon completion you will need to click the “Print my Certificate or Transcript” link and then the printer icon to print your certificate. You fill find a check box reading “Print to file,” check this. This will save the certificate and then it can be attached to an email and sent to mbird@sosd.org.
Other required material:
10 practicum hours must be completed with a certified head coach
- New coaches must record practicum hours to reach Level 2
- Coaches with a history may be exempt from practicum hours and will be determined on a case-by-case basis
- HODs do not need to complete practicum hours
* It is strongly recommended that a sport-specific course is completed for head coaches (Level 3)
Level 3
Required Courses:
A Sport-Specific Course in a current Special Olympics South Dakota offered sport. Select courses will be offered in-person at various locations at various times. Subject to availability.
- See Course Offering Locations and Dates.
- An Application for Coaches Training Certification must be completed when taking an in-person sports-specific course.
- Once completed, the application can be emailed to Matt Bird at mbird@sosd.org.
Or courses may be taken online at a cost to the individual. SOSD does not cover the cost of online courses.
Note: Other sports-specific courses from other sources can be taken for credit with approval from the State Office.
The following are courses offered online through nfhslearn.com or asep.com:
- Coaching Basketball
- Coaching Soccer
- Coaching Softball
- Coaching Swimming
- Coaching Track & Field (Athletics)
- Coaching Volleyball
Level 4 & Above
Required Courses: 1 of the following for each level
- Principles of Coaching for Special Olympics (This course must be completed by Level 6.)
- A Sport-specific Course (See Level 3)
- Teaching Sports Skills
- Fundamentals of Coaching
- First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches
- Coaching Essentials
- Coaching Orientation
- Coaching Principles
- A Coach’s Playbook: An Introduction to Autism and Instructional Strategies for Coaching
- Sportsmanship
- Sports Nutrition
- For gaining access to courses at learn.specialolympics.org user must register to create an account.
- User will be prompted to choose Sport or Health. Courses will be assigned under “My Learning.”
- Courses not under “My Learning” can be found under “Catalogue.” User must click “Play” on the selected course and then “Access” for course to be assigned.
- Upon completion you will need to click the “Certificate” link and then save the certificate. Then it can be attached to an email and sent to mbird@sosd.org
- Fitness for Sport Coach
Sport Coaching: Level 2 – Coaching Assistant
- Note: Sport Coaching: Level 1 – Coaching Assistant does not count for recertification. This course is a basic introductory course like General Orientation.
Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course
- For gaining access to courses at learn.specialolympics.org user must register to create an account.
- User will be prompted to choose Sport or Health. Courses will be assigned under “My Learning.”
- Courses not under “My Learning” can be found under “Catalogue.” User must click “Play” on the selected course and then “Access” for course to be assigned.
- Upon completion you will need to click the “Certificate” link and then save the certificate. Then it can be attached to an email and sent to mbird@sosd.org.
Training (Course Listings)
| Level | Course | Available | Cost | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pre-Level 1 |
Protective Behaviors |
Online |
Free |
Protective Behaviors Training at specialolympics.org |
|
|
|
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|
Level 1 |
General Orientation |
In-Person |
Free |
Watch General Orientation online here |
|
|
Level 1 |
Concussion in Sports |
Online |
Free |
Concussion in Sports at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
Level 1 - Unified |
Coaching Unified Sports |
Online |
Free |
Coaching Unified Sports at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
|
|||||
|
Level 2 |
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes |
Online |
Free
(covered by SOSD) |
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes at asep.com |
|
|
|
|||||
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Basketball
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$50 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Basketball at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Soccer
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$50 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Soccer at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Softball
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$50 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Softball at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Swimming
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$50 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Swimming at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
Coaching Swimming at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Track & Field
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$75 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Track & Field at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
|
Level 3 |
Coaching Volleyball
(sport-specific course) |
Online, Various locations in-person |
$75 (NFHS)
$49.95 (Asep.com) |
Coaching Volleyball at nfhslearn.com or at asep.com |
|
|
|
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|
Level 4 & above |
Principles of Coaching Special Olympics (must be taken by Level 6 to level up) |
Online |
Free |
Principles of Coaching Special Olympics at Coachtube.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
A sport-specific course |
Online, Various locations in-person periodically throughout the year |
Free for in-person |
See Level 3 |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Teaching Sports Skills |
Online |
$35 |
Teaching Sports Skills at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Fundamentals of Coaching |
Online |
$35 |
Fundamentals of Coaching at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches |
Online, Outside training |
$35 (NFHS) |
First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches at nfhslearn.com or approved outside certifications |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Coaching Essentials |
Online |
$19.95 |
Coaching Essentials at asep.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Coaching Orientation |
Online |
$22.95 |
Coaching Orientation at asep.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Coaching Principles |
Online |
$60 |
Coaching Principles at asep.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
An Introduction to Autism and Instructional Strategies for Coaching |
Online |
Free |
||
|
Level 4 & above |
Sportsmanship |
Online |
Free |
Sportsmanship at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Sports Nutrition |
Online |
Free |
Sports Nutrition at nfhslearn.com |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Fitness Coach Online Training |
Online |
Free |
Fitness Coach Online Training at learn.specialolympics.org |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Fitness for Sport Coach |
Online |
Free |
Fitness for Sport Coach at learn.specialolympics.org |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Inclusive Fitness Online Training |
Online |
Free |
Inclusive Fitness Online Training at learn.specialolympics.org |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Sport Coaching: Level 2 - Coaching Assistant |
Online |
Free |
Sport Coaching: Level 2 - Coaching Assistant at learn.specialolympics.org |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course |
Online |
Free |
Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course at learn.specialolympics.org |
|
|
Level 4 & above |
Other SOSD approved courses |
|
|
Outside courses to be approved by SOSD |
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