Head Coach (Age 18+)

---

The Head Coach is responsible for all aspects. Coaches are supported by their Area Sport Director and SODE Staff.

SODE requires that all head coaches become certified in the sport. In addition, head coaches are expected to ensure the following responsibilities are carried out:

• Attend all sports meetings, trainings and clinics pertaining to specific sport.

• Assess athletes to determine appropriate skill level for competition and training.

• Develop an 8-10 week training program for the team (or each athlete for skills events) including fundamental skills, conditioning, and rules.

• Conduct well-organized practices, utilizing assistant coaches and practice volunteers.

• Regularly attend practice (weekly commitment required)

• Have complete knowledge of and abide by Sports Rules of Special Olympics.

• Attend competitions with the athletes and provide the appropriate supervision to all athletes for the duration of the event or competition. This includes ensuring that athletes are present and on time at the appropriate staging areas, events, and special events.

Team Assistant (Age 14+)

---

Assistant Coaches (Age 16+ years)

• Attend sports trainings and clinics as required for specific sports.

• Assist in assessing each athlete to determine skill level for competition and training.

• Have knowledge and abide by sports rules of Special Olympics.

• Assist in developing 8-10 week training program for each athlete including fundamental skills, conditioning and rules.

• Attend competitions with the athletes and provide the appropriate supervision to all athletes for the duration of the event or competition. This includes ensuring that athletes are present and on time at the appropriate staging areas, events, and special events.

Practice Volunteers (Age 14+)

• Practice volunteers assist coaches at weekly practice with athletes.

• Roles may include assisting with uniforms, taking attendance, set-up and clean-up, and assisting with athletes.

Unified Partner (Age 8+)

---

Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an initiative that brings together Special Olympics athletes and unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities) on sports teams for training and competition.

• The matching of athletes and partners by age and ability is defined on a sport-by-sport basis, and includes team and individual sports as well as Young Athletes and Motor Activity Training Program participants.

• Athletes and partners compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral role on the Unified Sports team.

• Unified Partners in any particular season can only serve as either a Unified Partner or at Coach/Team Assistant, not both in the same sport in a season.