Swimming
Coaching guide, rules and other materials for coaches.
Coaching Guide 2020
Rules
Sport Impact Standards
The Sport Impact Standards are enhanced processes of both written and implemented protocols that produce high quality sports competition. At Special Olympics World Games and International Single Sport Invitational events, the optimum athlete experience is driven by unprecedented standards of quality across four essential pillars: Optimum Performance Environment, Presentation of Competition, Quota Allocation Refinement, and General Sport Operations.
Swimming Global Sport Development Strategy Plan 2025 – 2027
Special Olympics is excited to introduce a sport-specific approach to the development of swimming globally, focusing on the 2025-2027 timeframe. This initiative aims to deepen our understanding of swimming's positioning both internally and externally around the world. This strategic approach will not only strengthen our swimming presence but also elevate the overall experience for swimmers across the movement. Together, we can create a vibrant future for swimming and Open water Swimming on the global stage.
Warm-Up and Cool-Down Guides and Videos
Warm-Up and Cool-Down Videos
Dynamic Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs are an important part of every workout, training session, or competition. Follow along with these videos to learn how to perform the different exercises in the sport-specific warm-up and cool-down guides. Questions? Please email fitness@specialolympics.org
Sports Essentials
Divisioning
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Divisioning
The fundamental difference between Special Olympics competitions and those of other sports organizations is that athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate, and every athlete is recognized for his/her performance.
Coaching
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Overview of the Coach Development Model
This video is an overview in English of the coach development model. It is about 4 minutes long. DOWNLOAD MP4 -
Coach Development Model
Our volunteer coaches help Special Olympics athletes reach their best level of skill and performance. These resources can be used by Program sport directors to recruit and train coaches to reach their own heights of achievement.
Sport Rules
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Sport Rules
The heart of Special Olympics is competitions, the races, matches, tournaments and games for people with intellectual disabilities. In many ways, these competitions are like sports run by any other organization, but there are some key differences. -
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.
Swimming
Special Olympics swimming is popular world wide. Stay up to date with swimming news, events and competition results on this page. You'll find links to coaching resources, too. It's all here.