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Become a Coach

How to Become a Coach

Special Olympics South Dakota requires all coaches to get certified.  There are numerous levels of certification. The minimum requirement for SOSD coaches is to become Level 1 certified. The minimum for Head Coaches and HODs (Heads of Delegation)  is to become Level 2 certified.

All coaches must meet their certification requirements to participate in SOSD competitions.

Re-certification must be completed every 3 years after a coach’s most recent level of certification.

See course listings below for re-certification requirements.

All questions regarding Coaches Education can be directed to coachesed@sosd.org.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Coach

1. Obtain Class A Volunteer status

2. Obtain certified coach status by completing Level 1

3. All Head Coaches and HODs must complete Level 2 to be certified for those positions

4. Re-certify by following in the progression for certification of the next level

Level 1

Required Courses: 

General Orientation 

  • Must complete General Orientation by watching the course video below:

Fitness for the Sport Coach

To complete this course:

  1. The user can find the course here: Fitness for the Sport Coach
  2. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will be accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”
  3. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to coachesed@sosd.org.

Concussions in Sports

To complete this  course:

1. The user can find the course here: Concussion in Sport

2. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will be accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”

3. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to coachesed@sosd.org.

Coaching Unified Sports

Note: Only required if coaching or playing a unified sport. Partners under the age of 16 are not required to complete.

To complete this course:

1. The user can find the course here: Coaching Unified Sports 

2. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will be accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”

3. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to coachesed@sosd.org.

Level 2

Required Course: 

Principles of Coaching Special Olympics

All Heads of Delegations (HODs) and head coaches must be Level 2 certified.

To complete the course:

1. Go to this website: https://coachtube.com/course/coach-development/special-olympics-certification-course-principles-of-coaching/11813753

2. Upon completion you will need to click the “Print my Certificate or Transcript” link and then the printer icon to print your certificate. You will 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 coachesed@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 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 coachesed@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

Required Course: 

Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course

To complete the course:

  1. The user can find the course here: Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course

  2. After the course has been completed the user will need to download the certificate which will be accessible by clicking “Dashboard” and then “My Courses.”

  3. Once the certificate is saved it can be attached to an email and sent to coachesed@sosd.org.

 

Level 5 & Above

Required Courses:  1 of the following for each level

    1. To gain access to courses at learn.specialolympics.org user must register to create an account.
    2. The user will be prompted to choose Sport or Health.  Courses will be assigned under “My Learning.”
    3. Courses not under “My Learning” can be found under “Catalogue.”  The user must click “Play” on the selected course and then “Access” for the course to be assigned.
    4. 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 coachesed@sosd.org.
    5. 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.
 

Training (Course Listings)

Level Course Available Cost Location

Pre-Level 1

Protective Behaviors
Online
Free
Protective Behaviors Training at specialolympics.org

Level 1

General Orientation
In-Person
Free

Watch General Orientation online here

Level 1
Fitness for the Sport Coach
Online
Free

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

Principles of Coaching Special Olympics
Online
Free

Principles of Coaching Special Olympics at Coachtube.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

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

Level 4

Special Olympics Developmental Sports Coaching Course
Online
Free

Level 5 & Above

A sports specific sport
Online/in-person periodically throughout the year
Free in person
See Level 3

Level 5 & Above

Fundamentals of Coaching
Online
$35

Level 5 & Above

Teaching Sports Skills
Online
$35
Level 5 & 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 5 & Above

Coaching Essentials
Online
$19.95

Coaching Essentials at asep.com

Level 5 & Above

Coaching Orientation
Online
$22.95

Coaching Orientation at asep.com

Level 5 & Above

Fitness Coach Online Training
Online
Free

Level 5 & Above

An Introduction to Autism and Instructional Strategies for Coaching
Online
Free

Level 5 & Above

Sportsmanship
Online
Free

Sportsmanship at nfhslearn.com

Level 5 & Above

Sports Nutrition
Online
Free

Sports Nutrition at nfhslearn.com

Level 5 & Above

Inclusive Fitness Online Training
Online
Free

Inclusive Fitness Online Training at learn.specialolympics.org

Level 5 & Above

Sport Coaching: Level 2 - Coaching Assistant
Online
Free

Sport Coaching: Level 2 - Coaching Assistant at learn.specialolympics.org

Level 5 & Above

Other SOSD approved courses

Outside courses to be approved by SOSD