North Carolina

Special Olympics North CarolinaCoaches ConferenceNovember 16-17, 2012Concord/Salisbury, NC

Welcome

•Staff Introductions

•Weekend Agenda

•Why We Do What We Do!•What is Special Olympics - Video•Sport Teaches Us - Video

Networking

•Introduce yourself to the folks at your table•Name•County•Sport•Number of years coaching

•Schedule scrimmages/practices

North Carolina

G.O.A.L. Setting

Beth Brooker & Lauren SaulterFriday, 7:30-8:20pm

G.O.A.L Setting

•Get•Organized (Resources for Coaches) •And•Lead (Be Proactive, not Reactive)

Organized•Coaches Resources

•SONC Website!•Responsible Sports•Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)•American Sports Education Program (ASEP)•National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)• Coaching Today

Organized - NFHS

Organized – Fun!

Basketball AppsGoogle Play/Apple

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If you don’t know where you’re going – you’ll end up somewhere else .

– Yogi Berra

Benefits to Goal Setting

Give direction Motivation towards achievement both short

term and long term Boosts self confidence Improves performance

Assessing

Assessing your athletes allows you to gather baseline information and gives clear direction as to how to set up your goals

Identify strengths Identify areas of improvement Be creative Track improvement so athletes can see

Setting Individual Goals What are the athletes current strengths? Where can the athlete improve? What is your time line? Make It short term How are you going to determine achievement and start

new goals?

Include the athlete‣ What do they want to accomplish?

‣ During this practice‣ This game‣ This season

Pre Season Questionnaires

Give the coach insight into the interests, goals, motivations, and expectations of each athlete

Give during a parents/ coaches meeting Return so they can keep their goals in mind throughout the

season

Examples of what to include:‣ Favorite athlete‣ Why do you enjoy participating in Special Olympics?‣ What are your strengths?‣ What do you want to improve on this season?

Setting Team Goals

What are the team strengths and weaknesses? What is your timeline? What does your team want to accomplish?

‣ Understand and execute a zone offense‣ Reduce turn over ratio‣ Win 50% of games

Here’s some practice

At your table discuss and establish two goals for this conference. Be prepared to share and give an example of how the goal you have established may benefit your team or squad.

Remember your SMART goals.

Useful References

101 Smart Goals

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Managing & MotivatingA panel discussion on managing and motivating

parents, staff, volunteers, and caregivers.

Facilitator: Lauren SaulterFriday, 8:30-9:20pm

Managing & Motivating

Panel Members: • Emily Riley - Cabarrus County Local

Coordinator• Wynter Sexton - Cabarrus County Coach• Penny Chisholm - High Point Coach, Fall

Tournament GMT, Group Home Owner• Lewis McLean – SONC Board Member,

Basketball SDT, Group Home Rep.

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How do you motivate group home staff? How do you ensure that athletes from group

homes are active outside of practice? How do you motivate difficult parents? Helpful hints: Preseason meeting What experiences are you as coaches having

in motivating parents, staff, volunteers, and caregivers?

Managing & Motivating

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Fitness & NutritionTiffany VanDeMark & Kara LydonFriday, 8-8:50am

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Coaching Athletes with AutismLauren SaulterSaturday, 9-9:50am

POP QUIZ

1 in every ____ babies born are diagnosed with autism on average in the United

States.

1 in 88 babies born are diagnosed with autism, typically before the age of 3. In North Carolina the rate is higher than the average at 1 in 70.

POP QUIZ

True or False: All individuals with autism are withdrawn, avoid eye contact, engage in self-injurious behavior, rock, spin objects and avoid affection.

FALSESome individuals engage in eye contact, while others enjoy tickles and hugs. However, not all engage in rocking, spinning or self-abusive behavior. Individuals with autism do share common behavioral characteristics, and it is on this basis that a diagnosis can be made.

POP QUIZ

Autism is caused byA. VaccinesB. Bad parentingC. Environment factors such as pollution levelsD. None of the above

There is no scientifically definitive cause of autism. Scientist believe it may be a combination of environmental and genetic factors

POP QUIZ

Autism found in _______ most commonly. A. BoysB. GirlsC. Autism is found equally in both genders

Boys, siblings of those whom are diagnosed withautism, and individuals with developmental

delayshave been found to be more at risk.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of developmental disabilities that affect a person's ability to understand what they see, hear, and otherwise sense. It is a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction, and behavior.

A person with ASD may… Have severe language deficits

or differences

Talk about or show interest in a restricted range of topics

Have trouble relating to others

Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds

A person with ASD may… cont. Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or

repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)

Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions

Repeat actions over and over again Avoid eye contact and want to be alone Have trouble adapting when a routine changes May have delayed motors skill development

Benefits of Participation in Sports Improved health

through physical activity

Improvement of appropriate social interactions

Development of friendships

Possible reductions in behaviors

Gained sport specific skills

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Best Practices for an Awesome Practice1. Plan Ahead Always have alternative activities for

individual athletes just in case Have consistent start/stop cues for athletes Develop clear transitions from activity to

activity Consider your athletes and any possible

behavior triggers

Best Practices for an Awesome Practice

2. Develop a consistent routine ‣ Warm-Up Activity‣ Stretch‣ Water Break‣ Skill Drills‣ Water Break‣ Routine Practice‣ Team Talk

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Best Practices for an Awesome Practice

3. Teach skills and drills a variety of ways

‣ Many athletes are visual and hands on learners‣ UNO Skill Drill

‣ You need:‣ Deck of Uno Cards‣ 4 sheets of paper with a specific skill listed on each‣ 4 cones with each that match one of the Uno colors red, yellow,

blue, green

‣ Athletes pick any Uno card they use. Once a card is chosen, they then take the Uno card to the corresponding cone and perform that skill. Once complete they choose another card and continue for the allotted time.

Best Practices for an Awesome Practice

4. Utilize Technology

‣ Video review of an athlete’s skills

‣ Apple iPads have thousands of apps specifically designed for those with Autism.

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Best Practices for an Awesome Practice

5. Know your athletes A primary factor in a parent’s decision to have

their child to participate in Special Olympics is a coach demonstrating a willingness to learn about each athlete’s needs

What are their triggers if any? Do they have areas of specific interest?

Useful Resources

North Carolina Autism SocietyNational Institute of Health

PE Central

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Sportsmanship for All

Facilitators: Beth Brooker & Andrea StammSaturday, 10-10:50am

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Sportsmanship

Panel Members:• Charyl Clark, Greensboro Director• Mike Scoglio, SONC Powerlifting Athlete,

Guilford Greensboro Team Captain

Sportsmanship

•What Sportsmanship is Not – video

•Coach and Parent Lack of Sportsmanship

- video

Sportsmanship

•Sportsmanship and Special Olympics

•What SONC Expects from Coaches

Sportsmanship – Team Captains•SONC would like to make team captains a standard in all of the sports we offer!

•Many athletes who are capable of taking on a leadership role in their sport. • Team Captain instead of coach• Great way to be a leader while still competing• Get message of sportsmanship out across the

movement 

•SONC encourages each local program to designate a team captain for each of their sports. 

Sportsmanship – Team Captains•Implementing the Team Captain concept at area and state level events. • Team captains attend all coaches’ meetings• Credential team captain as such at state-level

events

•At team sport competitions, armbands will be given to team captain to identify them. These sports include:• Basketball • Cheerleading • Soccer • Softball • Volleyball

Sportsmanship - Videos

•Ultimate Sportsmanship

•Mike Candrea USA Softball Coach talks about developing youth sports players physically, mentally, and emotionally.

•Great Sportsmanship

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Officials Q & AFacilitator: Andrea StammSaturday, 11-11:50am

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When in doubt, consult

the rules.

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When addressing an Official/Judge

Remember the Golden Rule.

And if you cannot remember the golden rule, do not act or speak in a way that would embarrass your mother.

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Question & Answer

Inquiring coaches want to know…….

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Thank you!