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Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about coaching for Special Olympics Virginia. If you have additional questions, please contact our Volunteer Manager. You can also review answers to frequently asked questions about general information, donations and sponsorship, volunteering and athletes.I am interested in coaching a particular sport. Can I do this year round?
Where can I get Special Olympics rules, score sheets, skills assessments, etc?
Can my team compete in local and regional competitions outside of my area?
What is an RTP and why is it important?
What certification and/or training do I need to be a coach for Special Olympics Virginia?
I am interested in coaching a particular sport. Can I do this year round?
Special Olympics Virginia offers 22 sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities. Many of these sports are seasonal, meaning that athletes practice for an 8-10 week period per year. We do, however, offer several sports, such as bowling, on a year-round basis. Contact your Region Director to determine when your sport will be in season. If you are not sure how to contact your Region Director, view our statewide map for more information.
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Where can I get Special Olympics rules, score sheets, skills assessments, etc?
Coaches looking for details on each sport, including sports rules, should visit our sports section.
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Can my team compete in local and regional competitions outside of my area?
Most of the time, participation by outside areas is encouraged at local events. To find out more, check with your Region Director. If you are not sure how to contact your Region Director, view our statewide map for contact information by region.
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What is an RTP and why is it important?
RTP stands for Registered Training Program. It is a roster of all athletes and coaches who participated in a particular sport in each area. We use these reports to evenly distribute quota for the state-level competitions, collect important coaching data, track the growing number of athletes and communicate relevant Special Olympics information to coaches.
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What certification and/or training do I need to be a coach for Special Olympics Virginia?
While it's true that you don't need coaching experience to volunteer as a Special Olympics coach, it is important to have some fundamental knowledge of your sport and coaching, both in general and coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities. Visit our coach resources section for resources that will help advance your knowledge of coaching, including the Coach Code of Conduct and the Criteria for Advancement to Higher Level Competition.
In addition, coach certification courses are offered throughout the year and upon request. Contact your Region Director for more information. If you are not sure how to contact your Region Director, view our statewide map for more information.
Coaches also are required to complete a Class A volunteer form, undergo a background check and take the Protective Behaviors Training. Please see our frequently asked questions volunteer section for additional information about these requirements.
With the help of these resources, we hope you will feel comfortable and confident in your coaching role. That way, you'll be able to get just as much, if not more, out of the experience as the athletes you coach!
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