Snowboarding Coaches Guide
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Table of Contents SOMI-Specific Information...3 Uniform Guidelines & Equipment...4 Course Layout...5-7 General Rules...8-9 Event Modifications...10 Unified Alpine Skiing Rules...11 Registering for State Event...12 Divisioning Process...13 Training Requirements...14 Eight Week Training Program...15-17 Coaches Certification...18 Concussion Certification...18 Coaches Code of Conduct...19-20 BBCIC & Universal Precautions...20 Athlete Medical Procedures...21 FAQ...22 Resources...23-24 Notes...25 2
SOMI-Specific Information Sport season: December - February Culminating State Events: State Winter Games Events Offered: Slalom: Novice, Intermediate, Advance Giant Slalom: Novice, Intermediate, Advance Super-G: Novice, Intermediate, Advance Unified Giant Slalom: Intermediate Unified Slalom: Intermediate National Governing Body: Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) CH-3653 Oberhofen/Thunersee Switzerland 413344-6161 Recommended Events for Appropriate Ability levels: Novice: Snowboarders may enter the Giant Slalom or Super-G. Please register in event specific for novice. Novice snowboarders will use a tow rope and are not allowed on the chairlift. Intermediate & Advance: Snowboarders may enter the Slalom, Giant Slalom or Super-G events. Athletes should be able to do beginner requirements, plus be able to do carving turns at moderate speeds. They must be trained using a chairlift. Note: if an athlete has never been on a snowboard, he/she should not be entered in snowboarding. If they do not display the skills required for the level registered they will be moved up or down to the next level. If athletes create a safety hazard on the slopes the games officials have the authority to disqualify them. 3
Uniform Guidelines & Equipment 1. Athletes should wear appropriate winter sports attire. Warm gloves or mittens, hat, scarf, headband or ski mask, and sunglasses or goggles are recommended. Optional items include wrist guards and kneepads. 2. All clothing should be conducive to freedom of movement. 3. All competitors must wear competition bibs for all time trials and finals races. Bibs must be worn on the hill at all times throughout the games, even if the athlete is not competing at that time. 4. Snowboards must be equipped with a board leash. Competition equipment such as boards, boots and bindings must pass all appropriate safety guidelines. 5. All athletes competing in all skiing or snowboarding events must wear a ski racing helmet. Helmets from other sports including, but not limited to, cycling, hockey or football will not be allowed. All helmets must meet the most common US based standard for snow helmet certification, knows as ASTM F2040. This US based standard covers non-motorized recreational snow sports including skiing and snowboarding. To make sure your helmets meet this standard, look for the ASTM sticker on the inside of the helmet, which will ensure its certification. 6. Jewelry and denim may not be worn during competition or practice. Headwear for religious or medical reasons are acceptable but must be brought to the attention of the Games Director prior to competition. Good uniform example: Illegal uniform example: No goggles/glasses Loose bindings 4
Course Layout 1. Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-G gates consist of two poles: one outside pole and one stubby turning pole. 2. Triangular banners must be placed at the bottom of the gate at snow level. 3. The short or turning side of the panel must be able to tear away from the pole with Velcro or other suitable fastening. 4. For all events, panels shall be used. 5. The first gate after the start should always be red. Slalom Giant Slalom Super-G 5
Course Layout Cont. 6. An auger or crow bar shall be made available for the course setter to set poles into the snow. 7. Adequate protection for the start and finish areas shall be provided. Fencing and/or pop fencing may be used. 8. Whenever possible, for safety reasons, the courses should be fenced off to be perceived by the skiing public as a self -contained racing venue. Additional fencing, snow fencing, and protective bagging are the responsibility of the ski area. 9. Whenever possible, electric timing equipment, with back -up system, shall be used. When this is not possible, hand held timing may be used. Gate judges shall be responsible for timing the two minutes for the Two Minute Rule. Start and finish banners shall be used. 10. Information boards: Start Order Board - Shall be located at the start and contain the skiers start order, bib number, and other pertinent information. Result Board - Shall be located outside the finish area to post results and list skiers by name, start order, and bib number. General Information Board - Shall be located in close proximity to the racing venues, awards area, and lodge and contain general information and announcements. 6
Vertical Drop Diagram 7
General Rules 1. It is mandatory for all athletes to be on snow regardless of snow conditions prior to attending Winter Games. 2. Each athlete participating at the Games may only compete in one sport. Each athlete may participate in two events within the chosen sport. 3. An athlete can be registered only within one level. For example and athlete cannot be in Level I Slalom and Level II Super-G. 4. Special attention should be directed to recommended events for the athlete s ability level. 5. All athletes must be accompanied by a Level II snowboard coach for safety reasons. If athletes are found on the hill unsupervised or if they are a safety hazard to others, they will be escorted off the hill. Coaches MAY NOT coach on the hill. Note: If the athlete has never been on a snowboard he/she should not be entered in the Snowboard competition. If they do not display the skills required for the level registered, they will be moved up or down to the next level. If athletes create a safety hazard on the slopes the games officials have the authority to disqualify them. 6. Athletes with Down Syndrome who may compete in Snowboarding must have an x-ray prior to participation indicating that they don t have atlantoaxial instability. 7. Start Areas I. All start areas shall be flat, enabling the snowboarders to stand in the start in either a relaxed or ready position. Care should be given to provide easy access to this area as well as securing the area from the flow of general public skier traffic. 8. Two Minute Rule II. III. 9. Start command IV. During competition, if the competitor moves out of the general direction of the line of the course (fall, miss a gate, lose a ski, etc.) he/she shall have two minutes from the time of the deviation to re-enter the course. A competitor who fails to adhere to this two minute time limit, or receives assistance of any kind, shall be disqualified. Disqualification shall be determined on the gate card by the Gate Judge assigned to the gate closest to where the infraction occurred. The Gate Judge is responsible for timing the two minutes. For all Special Olympics snowboard events at each ability level, the start command shall be as follows: "5.4.3.2.1. GO!" The timer begins when the athlete s front boot crosses the start line, or when the electric timing wand is activated. 8
VII. 10. Gate Line V. The gate line is determined by the turning pole 11. Correct Passage VI. A gate has been passed correctly when the competitor s snowboard tip and both feet have passed by the gate. The start and finish lines are the same as a gate line. In the event that a competitor removes a pole from its vertical position before the competitor s snowboard tip and both feet have passed the gate line, the snowboard tip and feet must pass the original gate. A competitor who receives assistance of any kind shall be disqualified. 9
1. Slalom/Giant Slalom: Event Modifications I. Giant Slalom and Slalom races will consist of two timed runs except for Super G. The combined times will determine the results for awards. II. III. 2. Super-G: A course maybe reset for a second run at the discretion of the jury. In Giant Slalom and Slalom events, the competitor s first-run time shall determine his/her second run start order within the division. Slowest first-run time will start first, the fastest last. Disqualified competitors may have a second run, but they will run at the end of their divisions. I. Competition organizers will create Super Giant Slalom courses based upon the ability levels of the competing snowboarders. II. III. IV. One training run on the same course and prior to the race is required of all competitors. Race organizers are encouraged to time the training run. This will have no bearing on start orders for the race. The Super Giant Slalom race is a one-run race. 10
Unified Snowboarding Rules 1. Unified Snowboarding teams shall consist of one Unified Partner and one Athlete; a coach may not serve as the Unified Partner. 2. The Unified Partner shall make his/her timed run first with the Athlete making his/her timed run immediately after in order. 3. The Unified Partner shall wait for the Athlete outside the end of the finish chute area. 4. The score is computed by combining the time of the Unified Partner with the time of the Athlete. 5. For divisioning, each competitor shall make two runs on the specified course with the better of the two runs used to create divisions. 6. The final score for the team shall be the combined total of both runs for the Unified Partner and the Athlete following the competition. 7. General Unified Sports Rules: I. Unified Partners are athletes and should not be involved in coaching. II. The Unified Partner must complete the Application for Participation for unified partners. 11
Registering for a State Event 1. Each coach must submit a Seasonal Intent form 8 weeks prior to the State Culminating event. The form will be emailed out 12 weeks before the event date. 2. Each athlete, unified partner, coach, chaperone and guest must be registered in GMS by the registration deadline. I. All alternates must also be registered in GMS. For State Winter Games you are able to register 25% of your delegation as alternates. These can be athletes or Unified Partners, however athletes cannot replace Unified Partners and vice versa. II. Alternates must be activated from your areas pool of alternates and the active roster rider must be dropped in order for the alternate to compete. 3. Once turned in, the Area Director will receive notification of any athletes with missing requirements, including missing/expired physicals or missing scores. If the information is not received, the area will be notified that the athlete has been dropped. 4. For an area to be in compliance for State Games: I. All athletes must have a current physical on file at the State Office II. III. IV. All Unified Partners must have a Unified Partner form on file at the State Office All coaches and chaperones must have current Protective Behaviors, General Orientation, and a Volunteer form on file at the State Office All coaches must have a current sport certification and concussion training on file at the State Office. 12
Divisioning Process 1. The procedures for divisioning have been developed to assist competition managers in applying the principles of fair and equitable competition to athletes of all ability levels. An athlete's ability is the primary factor in divisioning. Factors in establishing competitive divisions are age, gender, and times. 2. Ideally, a sufficient number of athletes or teams will participate at every competition so that equitable divisions can be structured. Experience has shown that in some competitions, however, there will not be a sufficient number of athletes to structure ideal divisions. 3. All coaches are reminded to review the sections in the Official Special Olympics Winter Sports Rules for clarifications of divisioning and age groupings. Novice, Intermediate and Advanced skiers shall have two runs on a modified Giant Slalom course of their ability level, with the fastest time used to determine their division for competition. If time in the race organizers schedule permits, divisioning time trials may be conducted for each event. In the first run of competition in each division, the fastest trial time starts first, slowest last. All questions concerning divisioning can be directed to Heather Burke at burke1hn@cmich.edu. 13
Training Requirements 1. In order for an individual or team to participate in competition, the athlete or team must be involved in an eight-week training program and receive training and competition opportunities. 2. A minimum 10 hours of training must occur before a culminating event. Training usually consists of 1-4 hours each week for eight weeks. 3. Although it is the desire to include every athlete that is training in all the games we offer, due to the many athletes we have competing in the state, it is not always possible. That is why we offer area, regional and a variety of state events to give all the athletes quality competition opportunities. 4. Coaches who are training athletes in a particular sport should follow the established SOMI sports seasons. The sports season is 8-12 weeks prior to the state competition for that sport. SOMI establishes sports seasons to provide maximum training time for the athletes and to coincide with competition opportunities. 14
Eight Week Training Program Week One Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Check all equipment for safety and proper fit. 3. Team talk in preparation for the season. Week One Practice Two 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Dry land practice, working on balance and stance. 3. Introduce athletes to the beginner hill, working on using the tow rope, starts and stops. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Two Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Dry land practice working in proper snowboarding technique and balance. 3. Snowboarding on beginner hill, working on using the tow rope, starts and stops. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Two Practice Two 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Snowboarding on beginner hill, working on turns and stops. 3. Begin teaching of carving turns to novice and above skiers. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Three Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Dry land practice introducing concepts of race snowboarding including different races and gates. 3. Work on ski hills. Begin introducing novice and above skiers to the chairlift, proper riding techniques and navigating larger hills. Beginner skiers continue working on turns and stops. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Three Practice Two 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Dry land practice continuing to work on concepts of snowboard racing and gate differences between races. 3. Work on ski hills. Continue working on riding the chairlift with novice and above skiers and navigating down the hill. Beginners continue working on turning and stopping. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Four Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Work on Ski hill. Begin introducing a small race course on the hill including gates. Choose one specific race (Slalom, Giant Slalom or Super-G) to focus on for the first week. 3. Cool down and team talk. 15
Week Four Practice Two 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Work on skill hill. Continue working on the same race course as the last practice for all levels of snowboarders. 3. Cool down and team talk. Week Five Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch 2. Conduct safety check and re-fit of all equipment (bindings, boots, helmet, etc.). 3. Dry land practice introducing a new race course for athletes to learn. 4. Work on skill hill. Set up the hill with the new race learned during dry land practice for all levels of snowboarders. 5. Cool down and team talk. Week Five Practice Two 1. Warm up and stretch 2. Continue working on race course training. Set up one race course for the initial runs for all levels of snowboarders, then switch to the second course learned. Practice both courses. 3. Cool down and team talk. Week Six Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch 2. Set up a time trial for all levels of snowboarders for both courses learned up to this point. Make sure to get accurate times for each snowboarder for divisioning purposes when time trials at culminating events are not possible. 3. If time still exists continue working on race skills, starts, setting up turns into gates and stops. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Six Practice Two Host/Attend a local or regional competition. Week Seven Practice One 1. Warm up and stretch. 2. Dry land practice introducing the third and final race course for the athletes who will be competing in it. 3. Work on ski hills. Work on navigating the new race course while continuing to work on the previous two courses learned. 4. Cool down and team talk. Week Seven Practice Two 1. Warm up and Stretch 2. Work on skill hill. Continue working on all three race courses, making sure all athletes are prepared for starting procedures, looking for the next gate, setting up their turns and stopping at the bottom of the hill. 3. Cool down and team talk. 16
Week Eight Practice One 1. Warm up and Stretch 2. Work on skill hill. Review all courses learned and practice each. 3. Hold a final time trial for on all three courses for all levels of snowboarders. Make sure to get accurate times for each snowboarder for divisioning purposes when time trials at culminating events are not possible. 4. Final safety check and re-fit of all equipment (bindings, boots, helmet, etc.) 5. Cool down and team talk. Week Eight Practice Two Compete in the State Tournament 1. Travel; arrive; register athletes; review schedule. 2. Eat snack or meal an hour and a half before competing (or after competing when necessary). 3. Warm up and stretch 20 minutes before competing. 4. Compete. 5. Receive awards. 6. Cool down. 7. Return home. After the Eight Week Season 1. Invite athletes, parents, group home staff, facility host, sponsors, etc. 2. Have an end-of-the-season party to celebrate and recognize athletes achievements and assistant coaches help. 3. Thank the facility host. 4. Thanks assistant coaches. 5. Thank other volunteers. 6. Send a follow-up news story and photos to media. 7. Evaluate the season. 8. Develop the season plan for next year. 17
Coaches Certification 1. The head coach or assistant coach for each team must be certified (in that sport) in order for the team to attend the state-culminating event and obtain an award. 2. To become certified in a sport the coach must: I. Complete the on-line General Orientation and Protective Behavior quizzes at somi.org II. III. IV. Completion of a sport-specific training school or mentoring program. Complete and turn in a Volunteer A form and Application for Sports Training. Complete and turn in Heads Up certification. 3. ** Coaches cannot train athletes unless all certification requirements and athlete medical forms are up to date. 4. A coach s certification will expire after three (3) years. For a coach to become recertified they may: 5. View an online recertification video 6. Attend a training school or webinar Concussion Certification 1. Sports-related concussions can be serious or even life-threatening situations if not managed correctly. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have teamed up to provide information and resources to help educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management. To take the concussion training course visit one of the following websites: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/youth.html http://www.nfhslearn.com/electivedetail.aspx?courseid=38000 2. When you complete the training a box will pop up asking you to enter your name, Please put your FIRST & LAST NAME. If you do not do that right away, you will have to take the whole training over again! 3. When you have completed your certification in Concussion Training, please print your certificate and either fax it to the SOMI state office or scan/email to Kellie Murphy at murph4kj@cmich.edu 18
Coaches Code of Conduct 1. Places athletes' health and safety first Coaches/chaperones shall place the health and safety of Special Olympics athletes above all else. When traveling to state competitions, coaches/chaperones are expected to provide for their athletes' physical and emotional needs 24 hours a day. Responsibility for the athletes does not stop after their competitions or after they have gone to bed in the evening. Coaches/chaperones must act at all times as the parent or guardian providing praise /commendation as well as discipline. 2. Knowledgeable in sports rules Coaches shall be knowledgeable of all existing Special Olympics (both SOMI and SOI) and National Governing Body competition rules and regulations and prepare their athletes prior to competition in accordance with those rules. 3. Willing to follow the rules and model good sportsmanship Coaches/chaperones shall abide by the letter and spirit of the rules and be responsible for conducting themselves with appropriate behavior and in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Coaches who do not conduct themselves in this manner or who are offensive by action or language toward athletes, other coaches, volunteers, opponents, officials, and/or spectators may be prohibited from coaching. 4. Encourages athletes to put forth their best efforts Coaches/chaperones shall be honest and instruct athletes to compete with maximum effort in all preliminary trials and finals, or he/she may be prohibited from coaching by the Games and/or Sports Rules Committee at the specific competition. Coaches should review the Athlete Code of Conduct with athletes before or at the first practice. 5. Follows no recreational swimming rule It is the responsibility of the coach/chaperone to follow and adhere to the guideline of "no swimming" during all SOMI Culminating Events. The health and safety of athletes is allimportant. If a coach/chaperone takes athletes swimming at hotels without authorization, this will be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct, and the persons responsible will receive a letter of warning and may be separated from the program. 6. Follows the no alcohol/tobacco/or controlled substances policy The use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and/or controlled substances is not permitted at any training or competition venue per Section 4.09a of the SOI General Rules. 19
7. Carries all athletes' forms It is the responsibility of the coach/chaperone to carry a copy of each athlete's Application for Participation form at practices and competition. 8. Obey all laws I will obey all federal, state and local laws and facility, venue, and Special Olympics rules. 9. Responsibility While attending tournaments, I am fully aware that I am responsible 24/7 for my athletes. BBCIC & Universal Precautions The following guidelines have been established regarding blood-borne contagious infection carriers participating in the Special Olympics Michigan program: 1. When an athlete is a blood-borne contagious infection carrier, specific reference will be indicated on the Health Appraisal Form, which is required for each participating athlete. 2. All identified carriers will be assigned a personal chaperone unless behavior warrants a less restrictive ratio of up to 4:1 athlete-to-coach ratio. Regardless of ratio, the athlete's chaperone will: I. Monitor and restrict the athlete's interpersonal activities to those conducive to good hygiene. II. III. IV. Encourage good hygiene while the athlete is participating in team and individual sports. Supervise sleeping quarters and eat meals with the carrier athlete to encourage proper eating habits. Report immediately to the medical staff any incident observed by the chaperone where the carrier athlete breaks the skin of another person by scratching, biting, etc. 20
Athlete Medical Procedures 1. In order for an athlete to compete in any Special Olympics Michigan event they must send a complete physical form to the State Office. This form must be signed by a physician. The physical must be completed every three (3) years. All athlete physicals should be in the possession of the head coach at all practices, tournaments, team functions, etc. 2. In the event that an athlete suffers from a sports related concussion, bring to medical staff immediately. If the athlete is diagnosed, an incident report form must be filled out and returned to the SOMI state office. In order for the athlete to return to play, they must receive written consent from a health care provider, which also must be turned into the SOMI state office. 3. It is your responsibility as a coach to have an emergency action plan in place for all practices, travel, or local tournaments you attend. 21
FAQ Q: Can athletes compete at the state tournament without being on their snowboards previously this year? A: No, all athletes who compete at State Winter Games need to be practicing on snow prior to competing. Q: How many events can my athletes compete in? A: Athletes competing in Snowboarding can compete in two events. They may not be registered for any other winter sport Q: Are bike helmets acceptable for use on the skill hill. A: No, all athletes must have a proper ski/snowboard helmet in order to compete. All helmets must meet US based standard ASTM F2040. Q: Do Alpine Ski races and Snowboarding races use the same gates? A: No, Snowboarding races will use gates which consist of two poles: one outside pole and one stubby turning pole. Triangular banners must be placed at the bottom of the gate at snow level. This is in contrast to an Alpine Skiing gate that consists of double poled paneled gates for Giant Slalom and Super-G, or a single pole for Slalom races. Q: What is the proper order of a Unified Team? A: For a Unified Team the Unified Partner will make the first competition run and the Athlete will make the second competition run. Their times will be added together to make up their final score. Q: What happens if an athlete misses a gate? A: The athlete will be considered a disqualification for that run. Q: Do males and females compete against each other in the same divisions? A: No, athletes are divisioned based upon age and gender as well as their scores from time trials. If time trials are unable to be held they will be divisioned based on their scores submitted at the time of registration. 22
Resources Heather Burke Sports & Training Director burke1hn@cmich.edu Divisions, Rules, Competition, Roster Information Sheets Nick Caudle Sports & Training Manager, Regional Programs caudl1n@cmich.edu SW Specific Training Schools, Coaches Education, SW Regional Tournaments Kellie Murphy Coordinator of Sports and Volunteers, State Office murph4kj@cmich.edu Training Schools, Coaches Education, Volunteers Rick Brady Sports & Training Coordinator, Regional Programs caudl1n@cmich.edu SE Specific Training Schools, Coaches Education, SE Regional Tournaments Janice Sager Senior Specialist Clerk janice.sager@cmich.edu Athlete Medical Forms, Registration Materials, GMS 23
For the following SOI Resources please visit: http://www.somi.org/sports/sports.html Resources Snowboarding Coaching Guide Rules, Protocol and Etiquette Planning a Training Session Quick Start Guide Teaching Snowboarding Skills And many more For the following SOMI Resources please visit: http://somi.org/sports/coaches.html Volunteer/ Guest Registration Form General Orientation Participation Guide, General Orientation Quiz, Protective Behaviors Training Head s Up: Concussion Training Application for Sports Training Certification Registration for Coaches Training Recertification Quizzes And many more 24
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Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. www.somi.org