NICA’s concussion protocol updated in the latest handbook revision
Our national rules committee revisits the NICA handbook twice annually. The latest update features minor changes around concussion protocol.
Tips for coaching fundamentals for ALL of your athletes
As coaches, it’s our responsibility to know and understand our athlete’s skill levels before bringing them to singletrack trails each season. We all know how awesome it is to ride trails – and it is SO exciting to share that joy and experience with our student-athletes. That said, the beginning of the season is a critical time for revisiting (or, in the case of new athletes, introducing) the fundamental skills of mountain biking…
Tips for creating ride groups
Creating ride groups that match the ability, goals, and social needs of your student-athletes can be a challenge – here are some tips and strategies!
Ask your riders: Are you practice-ready?
Share this template letter with your teams to ensure riders know what is expected before their first practice.
How Ted Lasso Changed my life
Hello, My name is Billy Calkins. I’m a NICA coach…and I love Ted Lasso. I would say I am a hardcore fan of the show, but the reality is that the show became so much more than a show for me: Ted Lasso has, hands down, changed my life…
Coeus: What Makes a Great Coach?
Many of us have a favorite coach, teacher, or other influential adult from our youth who was able to connect with us and provided support to help us grow. At the same time, it’s all too common to recall at least one coach who was far from a favorite…
LOVE YOUR BIKE: ABCDE Bike Check Basics
PLUS: A printable ABCDE handout for your student-athletes! Check out NICA’s best practices for creating an enjoyable ride by starting with a functional and safe bike.
Data for Coaches
At the end of each NICA season we send out a survey to all coaches, parents, and student-athletes. The 2022 fall end of season survey had some interesting results that can help inform our coaching.
One of the most impressive results from the survey was that 97% of student-athletes reported that…
Emergency Action Plans: The Basics
The purpose of an EAP is to help coaches identify, mitigate and manage the risk concerns of each practice venue. Assessing each venue with a systematic risk management lens can be eye-opening. Completing a thorough EAP may even lead you to reconsider routes or change how you use your trail systems.
Building Team Culture during the start of your season
Teams take time to form and build. Coaches need to respect that building process and help guide athletes through the process. The start of each season is a great way to invite new athletes into your team culture and remind returning athletes why they love being a part of your team.