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GAME OF THE MONTH

BIKE NOODLING

Where: Open space

Objective: I can master timing and coordination, bike-body separation, and spacial awareness

Setup: Place a low flat cone(s) on the ground with a very light ball on the cone. Place a pool noodle over the end of each side of the handle bars. Make sure that you can still use the brakes.

Rules: The goal is to knock the ball off the cone with the pool noodles.

101 Skills: Bike-body separation, intro to cornering

201 Skills: Cornering with hip rotation and counterbalance, small circles

Progression:

  • Relay – Split into teams. Set up one cone and ball per team. One rider per team gets one attempt to knock the ball off and then returns to a starting area, swaps pool noodles. The next rider gets a chance. Allow each athlete to take 1-3 attempts based on the number of athletes. Keep score. 
  • Team v. Team – teams of 2 attempt to knock the ball off the other team’s cone. Keep track of points. Play for 2 minutes and see who has the most points
  • Lots of cones – set lots of cones with a ball in a field. Different colored cones have different points attached to them. Have small groups of 3-5 attempt to get as many points as possible in a set time period, 1-2 minutes.

Materials:

  • Pool noodles – they may need to be “drilled” out a little to fit on handlebars. Two noodles per player
  • Low flat cones
  • Very light ball that will sit on top of the cone but is easily knocked off of the cone. Think of a small stress ball.

Reflection: How will this game help us out on the trail? How did you overcome the initial frustration of this game? What did you do to achieve more bike lean?

 

 

 

This post is intentionally simple in its design so that it is easy to print and take to your next NICA practice!

This resource is intended for use by licensed NICA coaches.
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Click to see more NICA games at The Trailhead!

In addition to our growing library of games here on The Trailhead, NICA’s entire collection of on- and off-the-bike games are available in full PDF form in the NICA Coach Resources. To access the coach resources, log into Pit Zone and click the “Courses, Resources, & Benefits” button. Use the resource links on the dashboard, or the search function at the top of the screen. 

Special thanks to TREK, a NICA partner.

NICA partners help kids gain access to a thriving and engaged cycling community.

Special thanks to TREK, a NICA partner.

NICA partners help kids gain access to a thriving and engaged cycling community.