What does a coach do?

Can you supervise 7 kids for an hour? No? Find a co-coach! How about now? Great! You're ready to coach OM! 

Once you have a coach, finding eager kids is easy. For a first-time team, meeting 1 hour a week is a great starting point, with an extra meeting each week as the competition nears. Coaches should anticipate 2 hours a week for prep and meetings. If you have a co-coach, it's common for one coach to oversee the long-term problem while the other manages spontaneous.

Core coach responsibilities:

• Organize a weekly meeting (or more frequently as the competition nears)

• Prepare a spontaneous problem for each meeting (see our Resource page for ideas)

• Help the team understand the long-term problem requirements and scoring

• Keep the team focused and provide supplies to make their solution

While not required, more experienced coaches may also:

• Collect supplies or items they think their team may find useful (large boxes, leftover office supplies, unusual clothing)

• Arrange for teams to learn new skills like sewing, power tool use, or other skills that may help with their solution

• Attend coach training or take their teams to spontaneous scrimmages during the season

Where do we meet?

Teams that have been together a while may find it easier to meet at a coach or team member's house. Ridgefield Public Schools allow Odyssey of the Mind teams to practice after school (see Resources page for the facility use form). Our membership is sponsored by the Ridgefield Library which also has small rooms available for reservation. If you are struggling to find a practice space, reach out and we will help find a solution.

How much does it cost?

For the CTOM State Tournament - not much! Ridgefield Library sponsors our membership costs. Each problem has a cost limitation, typically around $150 and the CTOM State Tournament registration costs are under $250 per team. A typical cost for each family is typically under $100 for the entire season.

If your team qualifies for and opts to attend the World Finals, costs can be significant. World Finals are 100% optional, but are typically in Iowa or Michigan, requiring flights, on-campus lodging, and shipping costs for props, vehicles, backdrops, etc. Costs are on the order of $2,500 per family. We encourage teams to discuss what they will do if they qualify with all parents early in the season and plan on fundraising to help offset costs if you plan to attend.

Home

What is OM?

Resources

Team History

Contact Us