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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
Starting in 2023, the full NICA Leaders’ Summit (online and in person) will change from 5 required sessions to 4 required sessions. A completed NICA Leaders’ Summit is required for any Level 3 coach. Coaches who already have Level 3 licensure may take Leaders’ Summits (either single online sessions or any in-person session) for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).