November SOAR Scoop: Becoming a coach
Coach with Special Olympics Arkansas!
Becoming a Special Olympics coach is more than just teaching sports -- it's about making a real difference in athletes' lives. Coaches learn what makes each athlete unique and create personalized training that helps them grow and feel confident. They also teach important life skills like teamwork and communication while creating a sense of belonging. This strong coach-athlete bond boosts both physical and mental well-being, helping athletes succeed in all areas of life.
Requirements to become a Special Olympics Arkansas Coach
Intended for coaches who want to go above and beyond the required Certified Coach Level!
Learn more about Special Olympics Arkansas programming by watching our monthly Coaches Pulse Check podcast on YouTube! Each month includes coaches updates, upcoming competitions details, and information about SOAR programming as a whole!
Learn more about becoming a Special Olympics coach in Arkansas!
Becoming a Special Olympics coach is more than just teaching sports -- it's about making a real difference in athletes' lives. Coaches learn what makes each athlete unique and create personalized training that helps them grow and feel confident. They also teach important life skills like teamwork and communication while creating a sense of belonging. This strong coach-athlete bond boosts both physical and mental well-being, helping athletes succeed in all areas of life.
Requirements to become a Special Olympics Arkansas Coach
- Be 18 years of age
- General Session: must be completed one time only.
- Volunteer forms and waivers: must be completed every three years.
- Background check: must be completed every three years.
- Protective Behaviors training: must be completed every three years.
- Concussion certification: must be completed every three years.
- Being available for practices, training and competition
- Registering athletes for competition
- Obtaining equipment for athletic training
- Recruiting assistant coaches for your local training program (LTP)
Intended for coaches who want to go above and beyond the required Certified Coach Level!
- Bronze: complete all Certified Coach Level requirements, have coached Special Olympics Athletes for a minimum of one year, complete CPR Certification, actively participate in Fit 5 Wellness Program (turn in yearly exercise, nutrition and hydration tracking sheet), and complete the Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course
- Silver: complete all Bronze Coach Level requirements, appoint an athlete to lead Healthy Habits/Fitness for a portion of practice, include individual athlete goal setting in your trainings, and increase your training program from 8 weeks to 12 weeks.
- Gold: complete all Silver Coach Level requirements, complete a minimum of one Tactics (advanced training) course, increase your 12 week training program to practice a minimum of 24 weeks, and work with athletes to develop a year-round training/wellness plan.
Learn more about Special Olympics Arkansas programming by watching our monthly Coaches Pulse Check podcast on YouTube! Each month includes coaches updates, upcoming competitions details, and information about SOAR programming as a whole!
Learn more about becoming a Special Olympics coach in Arkansas!
Published November 2025
