How to use NICA’s Code of Conduct to create great expectations for your team
Great teammate pledges or “team constitutions” give clear pathways for positive behavior, and allow athletes to share their voice as soon as they join your team.
Bike Limbo
Bike body separation, friendly competition, and a catchy bit of music make for a memorable team game. How low can you go? Have two coaches hold a long thin object such as a pool noodle, webbing, broom handle, or a rod of bamboo (for authenticity). Riders form a line and try to ride under the object one at a time.
Dial in your Recruitment Plan
The beginning of the preseason is fast-approaching, and recruitment of new student-athletes is a priority. Here are a few practical resources and ideas to use to structure and host your recruiting efforts.
Shoulder-season Round-up
It’s that time of year when the forecast calls for 80 degrees…with a 70% chance of snow flurries. Mother nature loves to keep us on our toes, that’s for sure. But how is anyone supposed to dress for a ride or for NICA practice when even our most trusted weather apps don’t know what’s going on?!
Grit with GRiT: tenacity and an unwavering vision in Tennessee
Tennessee’s Beth Pride Ford shares her experience with growing a GRiT program from the ground up, and the challenges – and joy – that can crop up along the way.
The Endlessly-Adaptable Scavenger Hunt
For our spring leagues in the midst of race season, a scavenger hunt can be a great mid-week change to your practice routine. It can make a trail system that you’ve ridden dozens of times feel like a new experience. A scavenger hunt or full-team on-trail game can break up race prep or help your athletes take a rest after a weekend of racing.
Meet Coeus
Coeus offers a growing library of on-demand CEU courses built specifically for NICA coaches. As proud NICA educational partners, we work hard to provide valuable content appropriate for all coaching levels.
Pro-Tips for Pre-Season Planning
The pre-season can be one of the busiest times of the year for head coaches, team directors, and other team leadership. We’ve collected a few strategies and resources for tackling the long to-do lists that accompany the kick-off of a new season with NICA.
Tiffany Kirkbride brings the fun in Ohio
“My favorite thing about coaching is seeing riders progress and gain confidence. We are all learning together. I keep coaching because I love getting more kids on bikes and helping kids find a hobby that they may not have ventured into on their own.”