This weekend, the Orlando City Foundation met with 49 coaches from 11 Florida Counties to host the Special Olympics Unified Sports Soccer Coach training program. Special Olympics Unified Sports® uniquely combines people with (traditional Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (called Partners) on sports teams for training and competition; dramatically increasing inclusion in the community and using sports to help break down barriers that have historically kept people apart. Coaches reviewed the Unified Sports Model, general soccer and Special Olympics specific rules, and practice structure.
The Foundation spent the afternoon with the group, using the coaches as players to demonstrate a handful of on-the-ball exercises, interactive drills and small sided games for training purposes. By actively participating in the exercises, coaches gained the knowledge to achieve a handful of effects during a practice including dynamic warmups and skill development.
Each participant received a detailed progressive training module, with sections on how to develop dribbling, passing, trapping, and shooting techniques. The progressive format builds from a stationary command or skill to game-like situations. Coaches also received tactical cues on when to make coaching points.
Andrew Ingram, Director of Field Services for Special Olympics, believed the course was a major success. “The course was the largest out of our three in the state, and the training brought an unprecedented level of quality to our Florida soccer programs.”
As part of their Unified Sports model, participants ended the day practicing and scoring the standard testing procedures used when evaluating Unified Soccer players.
All parties enjoyed the weekend and gained valuable knowledge to further develop their community relationships. Plans are being formulated for the next coaching course between the two organizations.
