Training Sessions

General Orientation

The General Orientation is a basic introduction to Special Olympics and Special Olympics Texas. It covers the Special Olympics mission and philosophy, organizational history and structure, intellectual disabilities [mental retardation] and eligibility into the program, as well as sports opportunities, initiatives, and rules. The General Orientation is necessary for all who are interested in working with Special Olympics athletes and for anyone interested in becoming a certified Special Olympics Texas coach but is open to any individual who would like to learn more about the organization.

Skills Course

The skills course is available to coaches who have no past experience coaching or playing the sport in high school, college or the equivalent and are interested in becoming a certified coach in Texas. This course (formerly known as the Volunteer Coach Course) is offered in each of the sports offered in Texas and focuses on the basic skills and strategies of the sport. It provides an application of the Special Olympics mission and philosophy in a sport-specific way. The Skills Course includes a classroom session, an activity session performing the skills with the lead trainers, and a model training session with athletes. All coaches must be certified in the sport by attending the coaching session in order to coach in Texas.

Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Seminar

For coaches with sport experience, there is a seminar designed especially for them called Coaching Special Olympics Athletes. This session deals not only with sport specific information, but emphasizes the coaching experience for persons with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation]. This is designed exclusively for individuals with coaching experience and/or an athlete at a high school, college or equivalent who is knowledgeable in the rules and training for the sport.

Principles of Coaching Course

The Principles of Coaching Course is non-sport-specific and seeks to expand more of the sport sciences. It addresses the basic principles of coaching, coaching philosophy, planning and coaching administration, fitness and conditioning, and safety and risk management. This course is offered to all coaches who are currently certified and looking to become a higher level coach in Texas.

Tactics Course

The Tactics Course is sport-specific and focuses on development of higher-level sport skills, game or event tactics and strategies, expanded skill instruction, and enhancing athlete performance. This coach course is recommended for all coaches to achieve the highest level of coaching excellence.

Comprehensive Mentoring

The newest opportunity for coaches is Comprehensive Mentoring in which a coach works with and is mentored by an experienced coach with Special Olympics Texas. The coach participates in a variety of opportunities such as staff briefings, practice sessions, weight training sessions, competitions, etc.