1. Special Olympics Coaching Special Olympics Athletes The better the coach … the better the experiences … the better the athlete! 1

2. Special Olympics Course Overview 2 1 - The Athlete 2 - Teaching & Training 4 - Managing the Program 3 - Preparing for & Coaching During Competition

3. Special Olympics Unit 1 - The Athlete Unit 1 - The Athlete Important Considerations 3 Psychological (Learning) SocialMedical

4. Special Olympics Psychological Considerations Motivation Motivation ◦ Short attention span and interest ◦ Short-term vs. long-term goals Perception Perception ◦ Sight or hearing impairments ◦ Attention or focus challenges Comprehension Comprehension (Understanding) ◦ Visual and physical vs. verbal ◦ Simplify tasks ◦ Learning speed and plateau Memory Memory ◦ Repetition & reinforcement ◦ Progression 4

5. Psychological considerations - Part 1 Psychological Item Challenge

6. Psychological considerations - Part 2 Psychological Item ChallengeAction

7. Special Olympics Medical Considerations Down Syndrome Down Syndrome ◦ Atlanto-axial instability ◦ Prohibited sports Medications Medications ◦ Physical side effects ◦ Medical information Seizures Seizures ◦ Incidence ◦ Athlete safety 7 Physical Disabilities Physical Disabilities ◦ Non-ambulatory ◦ Muscle strength Autism Autism ◦ Over arousal ◦ Visual board Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

8. Medical considerations Action Circle the challenge that correlates with the appropriate action. 1 2 3 4 5

9. Special Olympics Social Considerations Social Skills Social Skills ◦ Communication ◦ Interaction with others Recreation at Home Recreation at Home ◦ Lack of activity ◦ Lack of encouragement Economic Status Economic Status ◦ Financial means ◦ Independent transportation 9

10. Social considerations What social consideration(s) may impact an athlete’s participation in Special Olympics? A.Inappropriate responses to social situations B.Physical inactivity being modeled C.Lack of endurance D.Lack of access to transportation

11. Unit 2 – Teaching & Training the Athlete 11

12. Organizing a Training Session Warm-Up & Stretching Skills Instruction Competition Experience Cool-Down, Stretch, & Reward TimeComponent and DetailsLayout of Drill or Activity

13. Training Sequence 13 Task Skill Application Competition

14. Training Sequence Element ChallengeAction

15. Communication 15  Clear  Concrete  Concise  Consistent  Command-oriented

16. Communication Criteria DescriptionSport Example

17. Levels of Assistance 17 Verbal Demonstration Partial Physical Assistance Full Physical Assistance

18. DescriptionSport Example Level of Instruction or Assistance

19. Managing Athlete Behavior Athlete Behavior Characteristics Strategies to Improve Learning

20. Organizing a Training Session Warm-Up & Stretching Skills Instruction Competition Experience Cool-Down, Stretch, & Reward TimeComponent and DetailsLayout of Drill or Activity

21. Unit 3 - Preparing for Competition  Registration  Official competition rules  Supervision  Travel and overnight

22. Competition-Day Coaching Guidelines for success: responsibilityindependence Teach responsibility & independence early Arrive early maximum effort Encourage maximum effort in divisioning & competition Let Let athletes compete calmly Make any official protests calmly winning & losing Help athletes learn from winning & losing

23. Special Olympics Unit 4 – Managing the Program The Coach successful The successful Special Olympics coach:

24. Special Olympics The Coach successful The successful Special Olympics coach also: Offers activities for all abilities Puts a priority on safety Conducts high-quality training and competition Involves families Assists with community inclusion 24

25. Special Olympics 25 Teaching Sports Skills Physical Preparation Mental Preparation Planning Athlete Safety Coaching Philosophy

26. Special Olympics Preparation 26 Pre-Season Assessment Goal Setting Season Plan Training and Competition Review Post-Season In-Season Culminating Competition

27. Special Olympics Improved Performance & Well-Being 27