Coach resources

Track & Field

Track & Field encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings.

Rules

Learn about the official Special Olympics Northern California rules and adaptations.

2026 Track & Field Rules (pdf)

Governing Body Rules

Learn about the official USA Track & Field rules.

Become Certified

Take our Coaches Education Course to become a certified track & field coach: Coaches Education Certification Course (website)

Resources (includes Videos)

Preparing for Practice

Track & Field Glossary (pdf)

Essential Components of Training Season (pdf)

Track & Field Attire (pdf)Tennis Glossary (pdf)

Basics (Videos)

Running Mechanics (pdf)

Athlete Assessment Sample (pdf)

Fixing Mechanical Issues

Coaches Insider (website)

Dynamic Warm Up Exercises

Sprint Events: 25M-200M (Video)

Sprint Drills (pdf)

Speed Training

Middle Distance Events: 400M+

6 Phases of the 400m Race (web)

Training for 400m & 800m Races (web)

800m & 1500m Training (pdf)

Walking Events (Video)

Race Walking Basics (pdf)

How to Racewalk

Wheelchair Events

Wheelchair Racing (pdf)

Wheelchair Race Diagrams (pdf)

Relays (Videos)

Basics, Exchanges & Drills (pdf)

4x100m Relay Drills (website)

Mastering Handoffs/Exchanges

4x400m Relay Techniques

Long Jump – Standing & Running (Videos)

Basics and Drills (pdf)

Plyometric Exercises

Running Long Jump Approach 1

Running Long Jump Approach 2

Take Off Drills

High Jump (Video)

Techniques and Drills (pdf)

Learning the Approach

Flight Techniques

Shot Put (Videos)

Basics, including Wheelchair (pdf)

Shot Drills (pdf)

Rotation and Finishing Mechanics

Teaching Muscle Memory

Building Core Muscles

Power Position

Softball/Tennis Ball Throw & TurboJav

Softball Throw, including Wheelchair (image)

Throwing Vector (image)

TurboJav Skills & Drills (pdf)

TurboJav 1 Step Throw

Pentathlon

Pentathlon Basics (pdf)

Scoring Table (pdf)

Basic Conditioning (Videos)

At Home Training

Sprint and Jump Drills

Plyometric Drills 1