Online Coach Education
Course by Course Overview
If you are a coach or you are thinking about becoming a coach, read on to learn more about what courses we have and who each course is designed for.
If you are a coach or you are thinking about becoming a coach, read on to learn more about what courses we have and who each course is designed for.
Level 1 Sport Assistant
Summary: Level 1 Sport Assistant is the first step on the pathway to becoming a coach. It introduces you to the basics of Special Olympics Sport.
Who is this for? People interested in preparing to become a coach or supporting at sport training and not ready to commit to a full coaching role.
Key Learning: Basic knowledge of Special Olympics sport—the mission of Special Olympics, the difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics, Special Olympics sport and your role as a Sport Assistant.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Thai, Bahasa
Who is this for? People interested in preparing to become a coach or supporting at sport training and not ready to commit to a full coaching role.
Key Learning: Basic knowledge of Special Olympics sport—the mission of Special Olympics, the difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics, Special Olympics sport and your role as a Sport Assistant.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Thai, Bahasa
Level 2 Coaching Assistant
Summary: Level 2 Coaching Assistant is the second step on the coaching pathway and will prepare you to begin taking on coaching duties under the supervision of a more experienced coach.
Who is this for? Those ready to take on coaching duties under the supervision of another coach. No coaching experience required.
Key Learning: Introduction to the principles of coaching and coaching Special Olympics Athletes. Topics covered include, your role, how-to-coach skills, athlete-centred coaching, Unified sports and Fitness.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, Thai, Bahasa
Who is this for? Those ready to take on coaching duties under the supervision of another coach. No coaching experience required.
Key Learning: Introduction to the principles of coaching and coaching Special Olympics Athletes. Topics covered include, your role, how-to-coach skills, athlete-centred coaching, Unified sports and Fitness.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, Thai, Bahasa
Level 3 Coach
Summary: This course is one element of your education as a lead coach. All coaches at Level 3 should also complete sport specific coach certification. You should consult your local programme for more information about sport specific training.
Who is this for? Perfect for coaches who will be taking responsibility for leading training sessions for groups of athletes. Ideally the coach will work under the mentorship of a more experienced coach.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn about the coaching process and coaching skills, athlete development and coach planning, developing your coaching team, preparing you and your athletes for competition.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, Thai
Who is this for? Perfect for coaches who will be taking responsibility for leading training sessions for groups of athletes. Ideally the coach will work under the mentorship of a more experienced coach.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn about the coaching process and coaching skills, athlete development and coach planning, developing your coaching team, preparing you and your athletes for competition.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, Thai
Unified Sports Coaching Course
Summary: Essential learning for any Special Olympics Unified Sports Coach. This course introduces Unified Sports and the 6 criteria for a successful Unified Sports programme.
Who is this for? All coaches, coaching assistants and volunteers working with a Unified Sports Team or programme. Note that this course is a requirement for coaches attending Special Olympics International sanctioned Unified Sports competitions.
Key Learning: The course will give you the tools to become a successful Unified Sports coach in your community or school. Key topics addressed include, the principle of meaningful involvement, establishing a Unified Sports team and preparing for training and competition.
Languages: TBC
Who is this for? All coaches, coaching assistants and volunteers working with a Unified Sports Team or programme. Note that this course is a requirement for coaches attending Special Olympics International sanctioned Unified Sports competitions.
Key Learning: The course will give you the tools to become a successful Unified Sports coach in your community or school. Key topics addressed include, the principle of meaningful involvement, establishing a Unified Sports team and preparing for training and competition.
Languages: TBC
Fitness through Sport (Learning Plan)
Summary: Physical fitness is central to the Special Olympics mission. The Fitness through Sport Learning Plan equips Special Olympics coaches with practical tools to enhance athlete health and performance across all sports, age groups, and ability levels.
Who is this for? Special Olympics coaches across all sports, age groups, and ability levels.
Key Learning: The Fitness through Sport Learning Plan includes three courses. Together, these courses are designed to support inclusive coaching practices that promote optimal health, performance, and long-term athlete development through sport.
Who is this for? Special Olympics coaches across all sports, age groups, and ability levels.
Key Learning: The Fitness through Sport Learning Plan includes three courses. Together, these courses are designed to support inclusive coaching practices that promote optimal health, performance, and long-term athlete development through sport.
- Fitness for the Sport Coach: This foundational module covers essential fitness knowledge, strategies for integrating fitness into training, and its impact on performance and injury prevention. (Available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese (Portugal), Bengali, Thai & Hindi).
- Physical Activity for Sports Coaches: This module explores types of physical activity and how to build a physical literacy-rich environment. Coaches will learn how to support lifelong participation in sport and physical activity for athletes through inclusive and engaging practices. (Available in English & Spanish).
- Sports Nutrition: Offering a practical yet in-depth look at fueling for sport, this module covers key topics such as meal timing, performance nutrition, and how environmental and sport-specific demands influence nutritional needs. (Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Portugal) & Hindi).
Coaching Young Athletes: Building Skills, Confidence and Joy Through Play
Summary: Special Olympics Young Athletes coaches will be introduced to the Young Athletes programme, designed for children with and without intellectual disabilities age 2-7.
Who is this for? Ideal for anyone who will be supporting Young Athletes programmes at home, in the community or in school. No previous experience is needed.
Key Learning: An introduction to Special Olympics Young athletes and your role. You will learn about the 8 skill areas and the activities included in each area, along with implementation guidance whether you are conducting Young Athletes at home, at school or in the community.
Languages: English, Spanish, Chinese
Who is this for? Ideal for anyone who will be supporting Young Athletes programmes at home, in the community or in school. No previous experience is needed.
Key Learning: An introduction to Special Olympics Young athletes and your role. You will learn about the 8 skill areas and the activities included in each area, along with implementation guidance whether you are conducting Young Athletes at home, at school or in the community.
Languages: English, Spanish, Chinese
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection and Safeguarding
Summary: This course will educate you on how you can protect individuals and vulnerable populations from sexual abuse.
Who is this for? Whether you are a board member, staff member, coach, volunteer or you regularly engage with Special Olympics athletes—this course is for you.
Key Learning: You will receive expert advice and practical guidance for preventing sexual abuse. You will learn important skills and behaviors which are essential for protecting athletes.
Languages: English
Who is this for? Whether you are a board member, staff member, coach, volunteer or you regularly engage with Special Olympics athletes—this course is for you.
Key Learning: You will receive expert advice and practical guidance for preventing sexual abuse. You will learn important skills and behaviors which are essential for protecting athletes.
Languages: English
Coaching Small Sided Games
Summary: Coaches will be introduced to using small sided games (SSG’s) to support the learning and development of their athletes.
Who is this for?Special Olympics coaches at any level and in any sport.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn what SSG’s are, what they involve, when to use them, and the reasoning behind them.
Languages: English
Who is this for?Special Olympics coaches at any level and in any sport.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn what SSG’s are, what they involve, when to use them, and the reasoning behind them.
Languages: English
Planning a Training Session
Summary: A course for coaches to assist them in the creation and planning of training sessions.
Who is this for? This course is beneficial to coaches of all levels and all sports.
Key Learning: This course will give you with some basic knowledge and tools to use when planning your sessions to ensure your athletes get the most out of them.
Languages: English
Who is this for? This course is beneficial to coaches of all levels and all sports.
Key Learning: This course will give you with some basic knowledge and tools to use when planning your sessions to ensure your athletes get the most out of them.
Languages: English
Planning a Season
Summary: This course outlines how coaches can plan training sessions and competitions for their sports season.
Who is this for? This course will be beneficial to coaches of all levels and experiences.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn more about how to intentionally structure the training season to provide the best opportunities for development for your athletes.
Languages: English
Who is this for? This course will be beneficial to coaches of all levels and experiences.
Key Learning: Coaches will learn more about how to intentionally structure the training season to provide the best opportunities for development for your athletes.
Languages: English
Sport Rules Article 1
Summary: This course is designed to take users through the Sport Rules Article 1 document. This course will explain the differences in rules, committees, and operating procedures involved in Special Olympics.
Who is this for? Coaches, technical delegates, and program staff.
Key Learning: This course will help you to understand the basic principles of Article 1 and how it applies for you and your athlete.
Languages: English
Who is this for? Coaches, technical delegates, and program staff.
Key Learning: This course will help you to understand the basic principles of Article 1 and how it applies for you and your athlete.
Languages: English
Understanding Athlete Registration and Medical Forms Course for Coaches
Summary: Understanding Athlete Registration and Medical Forms Course for Coaches course will provide Special Olympics Coaches with a basic introduction to the Athlete Registration, Registration Renewal and Medical Forms.
Who is this for: The course was designed with coaches in mind, however, it is also suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about Athlete Registration, Registration Renewal and Medical Forms.
Key Learning: As a coach, you may play a support role in managing completion of Athlete Registration, Registration Renewal and Medical Forms with your athletes. You will learn what information the forms capture, why it is important, and how to use it to develop your coaching plan and support your athletes. We also offer guidelines and resources to help you, as a coach, ensure that registration and renewal forms are filled out correctly, along with advice on handling incomplete forms.
Who is this for: The course was designed with coaches in mind, however, it is also suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about Athlete Registration, Registration Renewal and Medical Forms.
Key Learning: As a coach, you may play a support role in managing completion of Athlete Registration, Registration Renewal and Medical Forms with your athletes. You will learn what information the forms capture, why it is important, and how to use it to develop your coaching plan and support your athletes. We also offer guidelines and resources to help you, as a coach, ensure that registration and renewal forms are filled out correctly, along with advice on handling incomplete forms.
Informal Learning
Special Olympics Coach Webinar Series
Presented by Gallagher, this initiative is part of an ongoing effort to recognize the important role of coaches and support their continued professional development. Sessions cover key topics relevant to coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities, and aim to enhance coaching practices across all levels of sport.
Fitness Through Sport Coach Workshop Series
The Fitness through Sport Coach Workshop Series is designed to support coaches in building fitness, health, and performance into sports training. Each workshop is designed to help coaches move from theory to practice by providing practical guidance, ready‑to‑use resources, and guest presenters who share real‑world experience.
IFAPA - Special Olympics Webinar Series
As Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) begin an inclusive research partnership, this webinar series highlights local opportunities for research collaboration across sport, health and fitness, and schools. Each session features recent collaborations and emerging opportunities for researchers and Special Olympics Programs to connect and build meaningful, inclusive partnerships that support high-quality programming.
Coming Soon
Youth Sport Coaching Resources
Special Olympics and ICOACHKIDS have teamed up to develop a set of evidence informed, practical coaching resources. These resources will be designed to guide youth sport coaches in Special Olympics on how to provide the best possible, developmentally appropriate sport training and competition experiences for our youth athletes.
Introduction to MATP E-learning on the Special Olympics Learning Portal
Build your confidence in supporting Special Olympics athletes with high support needs through this new self-paced e-learning course. Discover the foundations of MATP, inclusive coaching strategies, and practical approaches to delivering meaningful, athlete-centred sport activities through MATP. Designed for coaches, volunteers, and sports leaders worldwide, simple, accessible, and ready to use.
Coaching Resources
Sports & Coaching
For all of our recognized and official sports, find coaching guides, development models, photos and videos and other related materials. You can also find information on locally popular sports in the mix.
Coaching Special Olympics Athletes
Special Olympics Coaches are the heartbeat of our movement. Without coaches, we have no sports programmes for the more than 6 million Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners who train and compete every day, all around the world.
Sport Rules Article 1
The Official Special Olympics Sport Rules (“Sport Rules”) provide standards for Special Olympics training and competition. Sport Rules Article I provides general principles established by the Special Olympics Official General Rules (“General Rules”) that are not found in the sport-specific rules.