Resources for Coaches & Local Programs

To become a Special Olympics MA Coach, you must complete the following:

• Complete the Class A Volunteer From
• Complete the Protective Behaviors Online Course
• Complete the Concussion Awareness Training thru the NFHS (note: you will need to list “Special Olympics MA” as your Organization name under your account for SOMA to internally track results), OR  the Concussion Awareness Training thru the CDC (this one is more user friendly, but you will need to email SOMA a copy of your completion certificate as we do not internally track results)
• Complete the SOMA General Orientation Course

Beyond the role of Coach, you can become a Head Coach by completing the following:

• Complete the Unified Sports Course (if sport you are coaching is unified). Please note you must list Special Olympics MA as your Organization name under your account
• Complete a SOMA Sport Specific certification

Sports Specific test is intended to be informational and provide sport specific information and links to help coaches become better informed. This is good for Special Olympics Massachusetts Sport Specific Head Coach Certification. Coaches must receive a 90% passing grade and can take the test multiple times if needed. Certification is good for three years within a particular sport

Find your sport specific test:

• Alpine Ski
• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Basketball
• Bocce
• Bowling
• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Figure Skating
• Flag Football
• Floor Hockey
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Nordic Ski
• Powerlifting
• Roller Skating
• Soccer
• Softball
• Speed Skating
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Volleyball

Check your certification status:

Database last updated on April 8th, 2019

Please use the dropdowns and search features below to find your record. Click on your last name to go to your personal profile page. If the search bar is not showing anything, try refreshing your browser.

Please note that the Unified Sports and General Orientation dates listed are the effective dates. Those certifications are good for your entire life. The other certifications listed display the expiration date for that specific training. If there is no date next to a certification, that means you have not taken it yet. To help simplify the process of re-certifying, all sport specific and concussion training’s taken in 2019, regardless of when in 2019 they were taken, now have an expiration date of 12/31/2022. This does not apply for the Class A volunteer form, protective behaviors, or first aid and CPR.

If you see any errors or missing certifications in your profile, please contact the Business Operations department at Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org.

Note all S.O. rules are based on National Governing body rules and NGB rules shall be employed unless in conflict with Special Olympics and Special Olympics Massachusetts modifications

• Track & Field (Athletics) rules modifications
• Flag Football Rules
• Flag Football Rules – Video Tutorial
• Soccer – Rules Modifications and Highlights (updated October 2017)
• Differences between Unified Sports Competitive and Unified Sports Player Development. Watch the SOMA Video to show the differences
• Summary of suggestions for coach educations

• If there is an injury at practice, fill out the SOMA Incident Report and return to the Business Operations Department – Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org
• The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has a Seizure Guide for treating, reacting and dealing with someone who is having a seizure

Financial Management Guidelines

• 2019 Financial Management for Local Programs

Forms and Registration Webinar

• SOMA recently recorded a Webinar explaining how to fill out forms (medical, class A form, sport registrations, etc.) and how SOMA’s insurance ties in to everything

Divisioning Webinar

• SOMA recorded a Webinar explaining how divisioning works for team and individual sports

Uniform and Guidelines

• Refer to our team uniform guideline to see how logo should be implemented
• For logos and other graphic resources, please contact your Community Development Manager

Special Olympics MA Codes of Conduct

• Athlete Code of Conduct
• Coach Code of Conduct
• Family Code of Conduct

Special Olympics General Rules

• SOMA Summary of General Rules
• Complete Special Olympics Inc. General Rules
• Waiver Policy for Advancement to Season Ending Tournaments