Soccer Recertification is available to those coaches who have been previously certified in the Sport of Soccer. If you have not been to a coach’s certification class in athletics you do not qualify to re-certify. To Re-certify, a coach must make sure that the Volunteer application and protective behaviors training is up to date. Please check the Certified Coaches List found on the Coach’s Corner page. Re-certification is not valid without an up to date volunteer application, protective behaviors class and concussion awareness.
Re-certification should only be done when you are close to expiration of your original certification. Please do not take the course until you have less than 3 months to go on your certification. Please check the Certified Coaches List found on the Coach’s Corner page. Certification is good for 4 years.
Eligibility
Special Olympics Soccer is available to all persons age 8 and above, having been identified by an agency or professional as having an Intellectual disability, or a closely related disability which means having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills ( such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care), and having registered to participate in Special Olympics.
Application for Participation
The Application for Participation in Special Olympics is commonly referred to as the Medical Release. This form is good for a specific 3 year period. The dates of the forms effectiveness is printed on the top center of the form. It is only good for this time period. Example – September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2013. Coaches should make copies of this form after completing all information. Please do not leave off any information. IF there is information that does not apply please write does not apply in that space. This form must be signed by a Physician, Physician’s assistant, Nurse Practioner or a Clinical Nurse Specialist. It must also be signed by either an adult athlete ( with witness signature) or a Parent/ Guardian. Athletes will not be able to train or compete without the release. Coaches should have a copy of the medical release with them any time they have an athlete with them. Coaches are also responsible for updating the forms whenever a change has taken place, such as, medicine changes.
Coaches Responsibilities
Coaches have a lot of responsibility. It is imperative that coaches find enough assistant coaches to help cover all of the duties of a coach. The following is a list of responsibilities of the coach. This list will not cover everything a coach has to do in order for the team to be successful.
- Coaches must have enough help to supervise athletes at all times.
- Coaches must have a proper practice facility that is both safe and meets the needs of the athletes.
- Coaches must have medical releases with them at all times. Coaches must be aware of all medical issues of their athletes.
- Coaches must know first aid and have a phone available to call for help if needed.
- Coaches must train their athletes for no less than 8 weeks prior to competition. The training must be appropriate.
- Coaches must select sports and events that are appropriate for their athletes age and abilities.
- Coaches must insure that all athletes are uniformed appropriately.
- Coaches must know how to complete entry forms and do so on a timely basis.
- Coaches will be a positive influence on their athletes.
- Coaches must keep a written training plan for all of their practices.
Divisioning
Special Olympics divisions athletes based upon their age, sex, and ability, with ability being the primary indicator. This aspect of Special Olympics is what separates Special Olympics from all other sports organizations. Every athlete will receive an award, however, it could be a participation award.
Soccer Divisioning is done through a bracket system. The type of bracket will be determined by the event director. The bracket will be a form of a round robin or double elimination type of tournament. Every team will be guaranteed at least two games. The sport of Soccer may not allow the event director to split Athletes by age and sex, which is acceptable. The numbers of teams will determine how divisioning will take place.
Registration
All Special Olympics paperwork is now available on-line. Coaches may complete the entry forms, medical release, down’s addendum, and Coaches card on-line, then print the forms and submit. The medical release and down’s addendum must be signed by an authorized person. All entry forms and medicals are due by the deadline that you will see on the schedule. Most can be mailed in but some must be hand carried. You must pay attention to the directions in the schedule. The deadline is the date that paperwork must arrive, not when it is to be mailed. Mail your forms in time for the paperwork to reach the event director by the deadline.