Welcome to our 3-part Coaching with Games series! We’ll highlight skills, methods, and best practices for using games with your teams.
As NICA coaches, we know that fun is an essential part of learning and whole-athlete development. Here’s how you can become a pro at COACHING WITH GAMES!
Test your timing, coordination, and bike-body separation with Ring Toss—land an inner tube on a target while riding past! Turn it into a relay, add challenges, and get the whole team in on the fun!
The Behavior Management for NICA Teams guide is your go-to resource for fostering a positive, inclusive team environment. Packed with practical strategies, it’s designed to help coaches confidently manage behavior and support every athlete’s success.
Helmet safety isn’t just a seasonal topic—it’s a year-round priority. Whether you’re choosing, replacing, or adjusting a helmet, these key tips will help ensure optimal protection and comfort.
Did you know that NICA has a Canva library of pre-made templates for your mountain bike teams?
From postcards to yard signs, flyers to social media posts, and even business cards that are perfect to carry along on a ride in your hip pack — we’ve got a wide range of templates to get you started, or to inspire your own custom design.
This month, check out “Sharks and minnows” – a game that provides an opportunity for fun and team building while also giving coaches a chance to observe and assess student-athletes’ bike skills and the team dynamic.
NICA is excited to share a NEW resource called the NICA Gear. This guide provides the foundational basics on the equipment and gear needed for any rider to be a part of a NICA team.
Head coach Bree Van Oss started his team, the Tallahassee Thunder, during the pandemic in 2020. He noticed that his local mountain biking scene lacked representation, so he jumped in feet first to bring the NICA mission and values to his community. And thus, a rad team was born!
This month, check out “2 truths and 1 lie” – a game played with the intent of getting to know each other that also makes a great filler between activities or while on a break from riding and skills exercises. Coaches can get in on this one, too!
Ready to crush your biking goals? Join Hannah Otto as she breaks down the art of goal-chasing in this fun and inspiring webinar! 🎯 Hannah will show you how to set goals that stick and keep you pumped up through your training. She’ll chat about the different types of goals, how to stay on track without burning out, and why supporting others’ goals (without playing the comparison game) is key.
The NICA Superstar Ballot is an “official” yet fun way you can acknowledge the awesomeness on your teams every day. You’ve probably seen our digital Superstar Ballots on social media this month (if you haven’t yet, check out our Instagram story highlights!) – the concept is simple: the Superstar Ballot is a short, standardized form that allows you to acknowledge your athletes, families, and fellow coaches for all the positive things they bring to the team.