SPORT SPECIFIC COACHING AND TRAINING RESOURCES
We have collated some great links and resources for you to refer to over the coming
weeks as you navigate remote coaching, athletes training at home and a new way of
working. Keep in mind that these are just a few examples. They will not all be suitable for
every coach or every athletes, but they will all give you possibilities, ideas and food for
thought!
Sport Partners
If you do not already have a relationship with either your National Governing Body of
Sport/National Sports Organisation, or with a local sports club in your community, now
could be a great time to connect. Sport connects people, never more so, than in times of
challenge. As the late, great Nelson Mandela said
Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to
inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.
Sports Clubs and organisations all around the world are facing the same challenges.
Together, we can find solutions. There are likely to be great activities, practices and
initiatives taking place right in your community. Reach out and connect where you can!
Special Olympics has formal partnerships with many international sports federations. You
can see which sports these exist in, by visiting our Sport Partnerships webpage.
Click on your sport to see what we have for you! Remember to check back from time to
time as we will continually update the list of resources as we learn of more programs,
activities and resources.
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Bowling
Cycling
DANCE
Sport
DanceSport
Floorball
Football
Handball
Softball
Table Tennis
Tennis
Volleyball
Athletics
World Athletics Lockdown Exercises
https://www.worldathletics.org/be-active/lifestyle/lockdown-exercises
Athletics Ireland - Mobility Circuit
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/AAI_Mobility_Program.pdf
Athletics Ireland - Recreational Running Tips
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/runzone/recreational-running-tips
Find some great links here for home training circuits, getting running, mobility
programmes and even virtual running groups
Special Olympics Alberta-Calgary Live Workout Series
Many of our SO programs are running live Workouts/Training sessions online. Here’s a
great example from Special Olympics Alberta-Calgary
https://www.facebook.com/355230907846252/posts/2832725826763402/?d=n but there
are many more. Check out your local programme to see what is on offer.
Badminton
BWF’s Shuttle Time programme https://shuttletime.bwfbadminton.com/ has some
incredible resources for coaches and athletes
Register for the Teachers Guide @
https://shuttletime.bwfbadminton.com/teachers-overview to download
o Free Shuttle Time Teachers Manual / Lesson Plans
o FREE Shuttle Time Video Clips
FREE Shuttle Time App can be downloaded from the website
https://shuttletime.bwfbadminton.com/shuttle-time-app or from the App Store
(Apple) and PlayStore (Android)
FREE Shuttle Time Online Module https://shuttletime.bwfbadminton.com/online-
module
Coach Education Manuals
Coach Education Video Clips
BWF is also sharing some fantastic ideas for #BadmintonAtHome on its social medial
channels. Check them out on Twitter: @bwfmedia Facebook: @bwfbadminton Instagram:
@bwf.official
Basketball
Coaches! You will find some incredible resources on the World Association of Basketball
Coaches Online Coach Education Platform. You’ll find FREE access to WABC’s Mini
Basketball Coaching Resources, Level 1, 2 and 3 Coaching Resources and some fantastic
instructional videos.
https://wabc.fiba.com/
FIBA is also releasing a series of home training videos on their YouTube channel. Every
Monday, FIBA will release a new video in the “How to improve your Basketball Skills”
series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCXERy73Oiz8yoWAEYi4GsnRguziWcblv
You can subscribe to the channel to get notified each time a new video is posted so you
never need to miss an opportunity to improve your skills!
For Basketball fanatics, FIBA’s YouTube channel is also reliving some classic games and
TOP 10 performances but don’t forget to get out and practice!
You’ll also find a host of videos on youTube with great ideas for practicing skills at home,
such as:
20 Basketball Wall Drills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c4BLfe9xwU
Ball and a Wall (Handling) high skill level https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyG-
xpp4kx0
Bowling
You might think your athletes cannot train without access to their local bowling centre.
However, check out these videos from the National Bowling Academy. You may need to
simplify the instructions slightly, but it might give you some ideas to work with your
athletes while your access to your bowling centre is limited.
National Bowling Academy
(Practicing your Release) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Oc2d29dd8
Conditioning Exercises for Bowling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbYLoFbJ6M
Cycling
Many National Cycling Federations such as British Cycling have provided advice about how
to continue to train safely during this period of restricted activity. You can see their advice
at the link below, but we recommend you check out your local Cycling Federation for
information relevant to your location
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20200319-about-bc-news-Coronavirus-
Covid-19-FAQs-0
Dance Sport
Our incredible Special Olympics Dance Sport expert Pierre Gider has created some
great videos for you to follow along at home and learn some great new dances and
get some valuable exercise!
Tüdeldü
In this video you see a very easy, entertaining routine with high energy. It's a dance
created to an Austrian song. The dance was as essential activity throughout the
Austrian Special Olympics Family Days in September 2019.
Demonstrated by: Pierre & Andrea Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/4EYITypMrHk
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOgroKpdXtY
Soco Bate Vira
This hands-based choreography is perfect for people, who need to sit down while
exercising. It's also a great exercise to increase speed and motor coordination in
your arms and hands.If you think it`s not challenging enough, try to add some
freestyle steps and body movements.
Besides all that you can brush up on your Portugese.
Demonstrated by: Andrea Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/NOMr5gCbqqE
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pkQVXFv54Y
Anti Virus Dance
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we created a dance, where you can
experience a light workout and learn about the most important preventive
measures anyone should respect. The choreography is great for an everyday
routine or as an addition to your warm up program.
Lyrics:
If you’re healthy and you know it
… (1) wash your hands!
… (2) stay at home!
… (3) join this dance!
… (4) don’t shake hands!
If you’re healthy and you know it,
then your face will surely show it,
if you’re healthy and you know it, (1) – (2) (3) (4)
Demonstrated by: Pierre Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/NOsat_gmkzs
Music: MP3 File in Dropbox
Dance Monkey
A very popular song in 2019, which made us creating a choreography for Special
OIympics athletes specifically. This dance was part of our 2019-DanceSport tour
through Austria, where hundreds and thousands of athletes, coaches and unified
partners have been participating.
Demonstrated by: Pierre Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/d9mOYWYZMQA
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0hyYWKXF0Q
Agadoo Line Dance
A funny, crazy dance which brings you to a land full of Palm trees, pineapples and
the Hula melody. It definitely is a happy song. Make sure you have your Virgin Pina
Colada ready!
Demonstrated by: Andrea Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/gyZoZbvPaJY
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-3yIPSWc
Cotton Eye Joe Country Line Dance
"Cotton Eye Joe" is a well known country-pop song and gives us chance to dance
through the prairie. Try to catch up on the footwork and make sure you are using
your toes and heels correctly. Don't forget your hat!
Demonstrated by: Andrea Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/lh8yiTxxMZw
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOYZaiDZ7BM
Körperteil Blues
Körperteil Blues is the German Version of the Body Part Blues. It is a self-
explanatory movement song and all our athletes around the world love this song.
It's also a great chance to learn a few new words in different languages. Can you
find any other language- versions on YouTube besides German and English?
Demonstrated by: Andrea Gider
Dance Video: https://youtu.be/HFtTD7aYVT4
Music (German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXFAunwnIxE
Music (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSt0zFMOWcM
Floorball
@IFF_floorball the international Floorball Federation’s Instagram channel is hosting a
#Floorballathome challenge. Post a video of your best floorball drills and tag
#FloorballAtHome. IFF will be sharing the best posts on their Instagram feed and story.
Here’s a great example from SO Finland’s Lauri Kinnunen
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Xx5GgDLTZ/?igshid=15sideul4xdun
Football
There are some fantastic resources for grassroots football on FIFA’s Grassroots website.
Some of the activities are designed with children in mind, but they are just as applicable
and useful for any adult team focusing on developing the same skills
https://grassroots.fifa.com/
We have also identified some great home training videos on YouTube. They will not all
suit every athlete, but they can give you some great ideas.
Becoming Elite YouTube Channel
1 wall, 1 ball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoJ5dsFz59s
In a small 1m x 1m box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgsymJy0RJk
Yoga/Mobility for Soccer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlCu4mLtxqY
ADAPTED Physical Activity - You Tube Channel
37 Soccer Skills in 10 mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu4_6BhLm3M
And just for some fun …
You may have heard of the TP Challenge! Players from all over the world,
professionals, amateurs, men, women, children are showcasing their football skills
by juggling/ or playing keepy uppies with a roll of toilet paper. We’ve seen Messi,
we’ve seen Berbatov … who will be next?
Handball
The European Handball Federation is sharing training tips and tricks from top
internationals, professionals and grassroots players alike. Visit their website
http://www.eurohandball.com/ to check it out and read about how professional players
like Croatian super star Luka Cindric are managing to keep training during this time.
http://www.eurohandball.com/article/34369 or follow the hashtag #HandballAtHome
Table Tennis
The International Table Tennis Federation’s Education website
https://www.ittfeducation.com/# is full of interesting articles, videos and other
resources of interest to coaches.
In addition, we have found some great resources for training alone:
ActiveSG from Sport Singapore, shares some solo training drills for table tennis
players as well as great training tips for beginner players.
https://www.myactivesg.com/Sports/Table-Tennis/Training-Method/Develop-
Your-Game/Solo-drills-for-table-tennis
Table Tennis fans Ping Pong Bros also share theirtips for solo training
https://pingpongbros.com/blog/5-ways-to-practice-table-tennis-alone/
Tennis
US Tennis Association’s Net Generation program is a celebration of a game
where no one sits on the sidelines. Tennis is easy to learn and tailored for all ages
and abilities, giving kids a game that will help them build friendships and learn
skills they’ll use for life.
https://netgeneration.usta.com/us-en/tennis-at-home.html
ITF (International Tennis Federation)
Visit the ITF-Academy (www.ITF-Academy.com) register and look at the content there. The
short courses on PLAY TENNIS and TENNIS 10s could be accessed by the Special Olympics
coaches who work with Tennis. The coaches will benefit from them. They just have to
register in the academy, it does not have a cost. There are courses in English and Spanish.
Softball
USA Softball shared an example of a great agility circuit that is used by the women’s
national team. You may need to modify or change some of the activities, but this video
will give you some great ideas of how to structure a simple softball circuit session.
https://www.stack.com/a/circuit-training-with-usa-softball-2
Volleyball
FIVB Volleyball World Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/FIVBVolleyballWorld/
has a host of great videos showing simple training drills and skills you can practice at
home. Search #VolleyballAtHome to see the videos or share your own using the same
hashtag
CEV the European Volleyball Federation has also shared some fantastic ideas on their
facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CEVDevelopment/ including resources and
videos from member federations.
Team USA Volleyball
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/SportKit/Players
The Team USA Volleyball Coaching Resources lots of content (i.e. Lesson Plans, Drill
Archives, and Coaching Education Videos) that may be useful including some solo drills
which players can work on at home.
Warm Up Video - https://www.teamusa.org/USA-
Volleyball/Video/2019/11/08/Warming-up-with-the-USA-Volleyball-Womens-
National-Team
SportKit for Players - https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/SportKit/Players
Solo Drills Article - https://www.teamusa.org/USA-
Volleyball/Features/2020/March/04/Solo-Skills
The Art of Coaching Volleyball, shared some great at home instructional videos from
individual drills or instructional videos to improve specific skills!
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/category/drill/at-home-drills/