Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Planning an Aquatics Training and Competition Season
Planning a Training Session
Tips for Conducting Safe Training Sessions
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1. Establish clear rules for behavior at your first practice and enforce them.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Listen to the coach.
When you hear the whistle, “stop, look, and listen.”
Ask the coach before you leave the pool deck.
2. If at an outdoor pool, have a plan to evacuate athletes if there is danger of lightening.
3. Always rope off the swimming areas so that athletes do not obstruct other swimmers.
4. Make sure athletes bring water to every practice, especially in hotter climates.
5. Check your first-aid kit; restock supplies as necessary.
6. Identify the nearest phone that is accessible during practice.
7. Ensure that the locker rooms and/or rest rooms are available and clean during practice.
8. Train all athletes and coaches on emergency procedures.
9. Do not allow athletes to swim while wearing watches, bracelets or jewelry, including earrings.
10. Provide proper stretching exercises after warming up at the beginning of each practice.
11. Provide activities that also improve general fitness levels. Fit athletes are less likely to get injured.
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004