Coaches Corner

Sport Assistant Coach

Prerequisite: Must be at least 16 years of age

Submit Volunteer Application (renew every year)

• Complete Protective Behaviors Training Online Course (renew every 3 years)
• Complete the Concussion in Sports Course, through NFHS Learn, download and submit certificate of completion (approximately 30-45min)

Prerequisite – Sport Assistant Coach requirements, must be at least 18 years of age

• Attend a scheduled coaches training session (in-person or webinar).
• Review the Special Olympics Alaska General Orientation and complete the quiz.
• Complete Coaching Special Olympics Athletes – covered in the in-person sessions, also offered online. Register through Special Olympics Alaska by emailing emily@specialolympicsalaska.org.
• Complete Coaching Unified Sports Course through NFHS Learn, download and submit certificate of completion (approximately 1 hour)
• Complete (and document) 10 hours of practicum during your sport season
• Submit Application for Certification

Level 2 certification will last 4 years. A Level 2 Coach will be eligible to apply to coach at the USA Games level.

Level 2 Re-certification – Complete sport re-certification quiz and one other approved online course.

Incentive: All Level 2 Certified Coaches will receive a certified coach jacket OR certified coach hat!

Level 3 Certified Coach

Prerequisite: Complete Level 2 Certified Coach requirements

• Complete Principles of Coaching Course, submit certificate of completion

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PRINCIPLES OF COACHING (POC) COURSE: The course is broken into five modules covering the topics of Coaching Perspective and Approach, Team Management and Training, Athlete-Centered Coaching, Training Through Fitness and Nutrition, and Sports Safety and Risk Management. A couple of important points to be aware of when taking the course include:

• • It is FREE and available through CoachTube.
  • You must create a CoachTube account which is simple and takes a few minutes. This will provide you access to the hundreds of other coaching resources available through CoachTube.
  • Course content aligns with the new Principles of Coaching Coach Manual which you will be prompted to download. The manual is 62 pages, so please contact Emily Tymick (emily@specialolympicsalaska.org) to have a hard copy sent to you! It is very beneficial to follow along with a hard copy.
  • Time to completed the course is between 75 to 90 minutes.
  • You can take a break from the course and return where you left off.
  • VERY IMPORTANT! You must view all videos and listen to all narration before advancing to the next slide. Failure to do so will result in a message that some content has been missed and you will be required to go back through the course before receiving a course completion certificate. This is to help ensure that you have fully participated in the online course.
  • The course concludes with a 20 question test you will be required to score 80% or better to pass and receive you course completion certificate.

Level 3 certification will last 4 years. A level 3 coach will be eligible to apply to coach at the World Games level.

Level 3 Re-certification – Complete one of the following continuing education courses:

• Introduction to Autism and Instructional Strategies for Coaching
• Sports Nutrition
• First Aid, Health & Safety
• Fundamentals of Coaching
• Mental Training for Performance
• Teaching Sports Skills
• Coaching Basketball (re-certification for basketball only)
• Coaching Golf (re-certification for golf only)
• Coaching Swimming (re-certification for swimming only)
• Coaching Track and Field (re-certification for Track and Field only)
• Approved First Aid/CPR Course
• Other approved course

Incentive: All Level 3 Certified Coaches will receive a certified coach backpack (in addition to the jacket or hat)!