There are many volunteer coaching opportunities available at Special Olympics Iowa.  Each year our programs are generously assisted by more than 2,000 volunteer certified coaches.  Our programs and services could not exist without the generous volunteer spirit of so many devoted coaches.

General orientation training online will be available soon!

Coaching Opportunities

Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches provide valuable training and leadership to our athletes in each of our state games and competitions.  To find our list of upcoming training schools, please see below.  To join us at an upcoming event, please click here to view our schedule of events. 

Program Outreach

If your school, facility, or individual family member is interested in participating in the programs and services offered by Special Olympics Iowa, please contact Joe Fernau at jfernau@soiowa.org or at 515-986-5520 ext. 110.

Coaching Requirements

As mandated by Special Olympics International, beginning in the year 2003 all Special Olympics Coaches must be certified in the sports they coach in order for their team to be eligible for competition.  This includes Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches.  These changes will be discussed at Coaches meetings through the next year.

Proposed Coaches Training

All Special Olympics Coaches must attend a General Orientation once every four years. This includes Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches.  For new Coaches this must be done within the first four years of Coaching Special Olympics.  Topics covered will include the following:

• Special Olympics Mission/Philosophy
• Organizational History and Structure
• Intellectual disability: Eligibility
• Special Olympics Sports Rule –All sports, SOIA rules, division by gender, age, and ability.

The Special Olympics Iowa Coach Education Program is based upon the system used by Special Olympics Inc., to certify coaches worldwide. One result of the Coach Education Program has been the improvement in the quality of both Area and State competitions. Coaches have a better idea of what to expect when attending competitions and athletes have received improved training. With a ten hour minimum coaches practicum experience with Special Olympics athletes, all those completing a training school will be eligible to become certified coaches through Special Olympics Iowa and Special Olympics Inc.

Level 1

(Starting level for Coaches who have never been certified through Special Olympics International.)

Duration of Certification: 4 years

Certification Components

1.    Current General Session

2.    Attend Sport Specific Training Seminar and Skill Course-Basic Sport Skills and Strategies     

• Practice Plans
• Fundamental Skill Development
• Competition/Game Understanding
• Application of Special Olympics Philosophy
• 10 hour practicum
• Injury prevention and treatment
• Written Exam

Level 2

(Starting level for Coaches already certified in that sport through Special Olympics International or who have a State of Iowa Coaching License and no previous experience coaching same sport in Special Olympics)

Duration of  Certification: 4 years

Certification Components

1.   Current General Session

2.   Current Level 1 certification

• Principles of Coaching Course - Application of Coaching Philosophy
• Planning and Administering
• Sports Psychology
• Physical Preparation and Nutrition
• 10 hour practicum

Level 3

(Starting level for Coaches who have a State of Iowa Coaching License and 1 year previous experience coaching same sport in Special Olympics.)

Duration of  Certification: 4 years

Certification Components

1.   Current General Session

2.   Current Level 2 certification

• Tactics Course
• Advance Training Principles
• In-Depth Skill Development
• Competition Tactics and Strategies
• Enhancing Athlete Performance
• 10 hour practicum

Once a Coach has reached Level 3, they will still be required to attend a Rules Meeting once every four years to keep their Level 3 certification current.

Any Coach, who is a certified Trainer through a National Governing Body in that sport, will automatically be certified for life, in that sport, as long as they have attended a General Session.  They would be required to attend a rules meeting once every four years like everyone else.

If a Coach has not been certified within the proposed time frame his/her team would not be able to compete at the district or state level.