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    New WI League Director announcement
    February 7, 2022
    2022 Season…Here We Come!
    March 6, 2022
    Published by Melissa Roglitz-Walker on February 21, 2022
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    2022 NICA Coaches News Issue #2

    Hello Melissa! Phil Hynes and I just returned from a weekend of training new coach supporters in NorCal and I always return from NICA trips with so m

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    Hello Melissa!

    Phil Hynes and I just returned from a weekend of training new coach supporters in NorCal and I always return from NICA trips with so much admiration for NICA coaches. You all are so dedicated to your programs. Thanks for keeping NICA fun while honoring the goals of all of your student-athletes.

    You lead by example everyday on and off the bike. We share some great tips at the bottom of the newsletter on how to model good sportsmanship for your student-athletes. Your athletes are always watching you even when it doesn’t seem like they are paying attention. Student-athletes are always the first ones to notice your new helmet or a new pair of shoes. They are also the first ones to notice your positive attitude and the way that you include all athletes without regard for their skill level. You have the ability to help young athletes grow into amazing adults. Thanks for taking the time to be a coach!

    -Mike McGarry and the NICA Coach Licensing Team

    In This Issue:
    – Game of the Month: Have You Ever?
    – NICA Course Expiration Dates and Expiration Reminder Emails
    – Race Day Coaching: Preparation and Reflection
    – Adventure Spotlight
    – Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship – Application Now Open!
    – NICA Celebrates Four Years of Injury Reduction!
    – 2022 NICA Online Leaders’ Summit Schedule
    – NICA Handbook Spotlight: Racing Safety Standards
    – Partner and Sponsor Content
    – GRiT Corner
    – 2022 Sparkle On Scholarship
    – TrueSport: 9 Ways to Model Good Sportsmanship from the Sidelines

    ***

    Game of the Month – Have You Ever?

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    Send us images of your teams playing games! Please send to coachlicensing@nationalmtb.org

    Where: Open Space
    Objectives: I can build a strong team culture. I can learn more about my teammates.
    Setup: Have your team form a circle. You can also use cones to create a starting line. This can be done as an on the bike game by placing cones a distance away for student-athletes to ride around.
    Rules:Ask one of the following questions. If your student-athlete answers yes to the question they step into the center of the circle. If it isn’t true for them, they just stand still. If forming a line, have all student-athletes stand on one side of the line. Ask them one of the following questions. If the question is true for them, they are to cross over the line. If it isn’t true for them, they just stand still. They just keep going back and forth over the line if the questions are true for them. Or if doing this as an on the bike game have them ride around the cone if they answer yes to a question.

    Have You Ever…
    …broken a bone mountain biking?
    …been on a roller coaster?
    …dug a hole in the sand until you hit water?
    …actively looked for your car in a parking lot for over 15 minutes?
    …called your teacher mom?
    …stayed up all night?
    …picked up food off the ground and ate it?
    …driven a go-cart?
    …had your tonsils removed?
    …given yourself a haircut?
    …spent the night in a hammock?
    …flown in your dreams?
    …accidentally sent an inappropriate text message to your mom that was intended for a friend?
    …lost your glasses and found them on your face?
    …been out of the country?
    …faked an illness to stay home from school?
    …spent the night in the hospital?
    …used someone else’s toothbrush?
    …changed a baby’s diaper?
    …farted at the grocery store and quickly left the aisle?
    …participated in a school musical?
    …seen a cassette tape?
    …faked having to use the bathroom to get out of a boring class?

    Reflection Question: What surprised you the most?

    ***

    Pit Zone Course Expiration Dates and Reminder Emails

    If you have been in the Pit Zone recently you will notice that there is an expiration date for each course that is required annually or every two years.

    Please don’t attempt to re-certify expiring NICA courses until: 1) You receive a reminder email from NICA Education or 2) The course status in Pit Zone is highlighted in Yellow or Red

    If there is a green check mark on the course status, you are good. If the status is highlighted in yellow or red, you are ready to take the course again. Please see the example attached.

    We understand that remembering when courses are about to expire or going into the Pit Zone to check is not always an efficient use of your time! No need to remember or check anymore.

    Our new NICA Coach Education platform will now automatically send you a reminder email 30 days in advance of a course expiring so you are prepared to complete the course again before it expires. Additionally, once a course has expired, NICA Education will send you a detailed email of what course has expired so you can jump right in and complete it to maintain your license.

    Once notified, simply log into your NICA Pit Zone account and click on the “Access Coach Courses” button to navigate to the NICA Education Center to retake the course. If you have any questions please contact us at: coachlicensing@nationalmtb.org.

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    If the check mark is green you are good! If the status is highlighted in Yellow or Red you need to recertify the course.

    Example Reminder Emails

    ***

    Race Day Coaching: Preparation and Reflection

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    NICA Coaches are integral to a student-athlete’s experience and the athlete’s enjoyment and progression in mountain biking. As coaches we have the opportunity to positively impact and the potential to negatively impact their experience. You can help your student-athletes pursue their best self through mountain biking and strengthen your relationship with them through positive and constructive communication.

    As you approach Race Day, the questions below offer an opportunity for you to gain a fuller understanding of your student-athlete’s NICA experience, deepen your relationship with them, and ensure your own positive NICA team experience.

    The value to these questions is in the exchange, not necessarily in the answer – there are no right or wrong answers. Keep it conversational. Ask the questions you are comfortable asking. If it doesn’t feel natural don’t force it. This is a playbook, not a script.

    Questions for Before an Event/Race
    Goals – What are two controllable goals you have for this race? (time & place are not controllable; eating well during the race, passing, smooth descending, pacing, staying positive are controllable)
    Progress – What is something you hope to do better than you have in the past?
    Learning – What have you learned in practice that will help you at this event? What piece of advice have you been given that you will use in this event?
    Challenge – How will you pace yourself today? How will you handle this weather? What will be the hardest part of the course?
    Performance/Success/Results – What will make this race a success for you?
    Fun – What are the parts of the event that you think will make you smile the biggest?
    Pride – How will you cheer on your teammates today?
    Reflection – What part of the day are you thinking about the most? And why?

    Questions for After an Event/Race
    Goals and Progress – What were your goals today, and how did it go? Did you meet them?
    Learning – What did you learn from the race? How will you use what you learned in the future?
    Challenge – What was the most challenging part of the event?
    Performance/Success/Results – What do you feel was your biggest success at the event?
    Fun – What was the most fun at the event? Who was part of the funniest moment of the day?
    Pride – Who were you most proud of at the event?
    Reflection – What would you do differently?

    ***

    Adventure Spotlight

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    Let’s dig into the phrase “Challenge by Choice.” The simple principle is that student-athletes are invited to voluntarily participate in activities. A student-athlete may choose to sit out of an activity and this right is to be respected by everyone in the group.

    Here’s an example of how this shows up at NICA practice.
    You roll up to a challenging rock garden that exceeds the ability of the riders in your group. No one in your group has ridden this rock garden yet and a ride around option is available. You stop your group and provide the teaching points needed to ride the more difficult line. All riders are asked to walk their bike through the most challenging line. Then you demo the skills needed and ride the rock garden. You ask your group who would like to session the section. Allow your riders to attempt whichever line they want, including the ride around.

    Screen Shot 2022-02-18 at 5.03.30 PM

    The key points in utilizing challenge by choice:
    – You provided the teaching points and demo needed for the rock garden.
    – You walked your riders through the rock garden.
    – They can have success in walking through the garden, riding the ride around option, or attempting the rock garden.

    Be thoughtful in giving student-athletes the choice on how they want to participate. Remember, your influence as a coach is never neutral. Be wary of your power as a coach, and continue to create opportunities for student-athlete choice.

    ***

    Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship – Application Now Open!

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    Apply Today!

    We are excited to announce that applications are now open for Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarships for our Fall Leagues! Trek has partnered with NICA to grow diversity in the sport of cycling and provide better access for people of color. This scholarship will provide up to 250 diverse and underrepresented youth with the gear and funds they need to ride and race in their local NICA League. If you know a student-athlete who would be a good fit, learn more and apply here! See the story of Genesis, a Park City, Utah teen and Pathfinders recipient whose life has been transformed through greater access to the outdoors, here.

    ***

    NICA Celebrates Four Years of Injury Reduction!

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    Since 2018 when NICA and the University of Utah launched the NICA Safety Reporting and Study Partnership, we’ve seen an injury-rate reduction for Student-Athletes by 38% and Coaches by 25%. While injuries are inherent to participation in NICA as with any sports organization, we strive to minimize potential for injuries. To continue on our path of injury reduction, please keep practicing fundamental skills among other safety best practices (see link to flier below).

    Safety Best Practices

    ***

    2022 NICA Online Leaders’ Summit Schedule

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    2022 Schedule and Registration

    This year, the NICA Coach Licensing Staff is offering 9 full weeks of live, online Leaders’ Summit sessions so that you can get the necessary core requirements for your Level 3 Coach License or the continuing education units needed to maintain your current coach license. Please see below for details about the online leader summit program:

    ▪ The schedule with registration links is listed below.
    ▪ Online Leaders Summits will be held live via Zoom video conference.
    ▪ Sessions will be presented by NICA Coach Licensing staff.
    ▪ They will consist of the 5 Core Required sessions to get your Coach License Level 3 or count as CEUs to maintain your current Coach License Level 2 or 3.
    ▪ Sessions will be offered in 5 one hour sessions on weekdays. Times will vary each week to accommodate your schedule as best we can.
    ▪ Please use the same email address you use for Pit Zone to register for the Zoom sessions. (If you use a different email automatic updates to your Pit Zone cannot happen)
    ▪ Pre-registration is required to attend each online leader summit session.

    ▪ The schedule with registration links is listed below.
    ▪ Online Leaders Summits will be held live via Zoom video conference.
    ▪ Sessions will be presented by NICA Coach Licensing staff.
    ▪ They will consist of the 5 Core Required sessions to get your Coach License Level 3 or count as CEUs to maintain your current Coach License Level 2 or 3.
    ▪ Sessions will be offered in 5 one hour sessions on weekdays. Times will vary each week to accommodate your schedule as best we can.
    ▪ Please use the same email address you use for Pit Zone to register for the Zoom sessions. (If you use a different email automatic updates to your Pit Zone cannot happen)
    ▪ Pre-registration is required to attend each online leader summit session.

    Screen Shot 2022-01-14 at 10.51.44 AM

    2022 Schedule and Registration

    Schedule and Registration HERE

    ***

    NICA Handbook Spotlight: Racing Safety Standards

    SECTION 6.10: RACING SAFETY STANDARDS

    6.10.A PRE-RIDE PROVIDED WHEN POSSIBLE Student-athletes will be given the opportunity to walk the course and participate in a practice ride whenever possible.

    6.10.B Pre-Ride is a regularly scheduled practice ride on the race course that takes place on the same weekend as the race. For practice rides on race courses at other times, the Pre-Ride Rules do not apply.

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    6.10.C. RACERS AND COACHES ONLY ON THE COURSE
    6.10.C.1 Only student-athletes entered for competition in the event and their team coaches may ride the designated race course at times when no race is currently taking place. An event is taking place at all times after the start of a race until the time the last rider in that race finishes. No coach is permitted to ride the course during an event.
    6.10.C.2 A violation of this rule will result in a team-level penalty against the associated team of the offender:
    a. First Offense: 25-point penalty deducted from team score on race day.
    b. Second offense: 50-point penalty deducted from team score on race day.
    c. Third offense: 100-point penalty deducted from team score on race day.

    6.10.D. NUMBER PLATES ARE MANDATORY Once number plates are distributed, students must have them properly affixed to their bicycles at all times they are on the course.

    ***

    Partner and Sponsor Content

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    Visit Strike Today!

    Strike now!!! Strike Visulas has some great PROMOS going on. Check them out and get ready for your races!

    ***

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    Screen Shot 2022-02-18 at 5.38.14 PM

    We look closely at our numbers to try to understand trends and what works best in terms of getting (and keeping) more girls on bikes. One clear correlation is that having more female coaches helps us recruit and retain more female student-athletes.

    Why? It’s not necessarily about the coaching–we have many male coaches who are amazing at working with both male and female student athletes. However, for new riders thinking of joining a team or the sport, it’s important for them to have role models and to see themselves represented. As Marian Wright Edelman famously said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

    So for girls and people of color, who are tremendously underrepresented in mountain biking, it is critical to have women and people of color as coaches. Their presence as coaches creates a sense of permission and invitation for girls and other underrepresented groups to join the sport. Their presence grants “permission” simply by modeling participation and showing that women and people of color belong in mountain biking. And their presence as coaches invites participation by promising a safe space for new riders to try it out.

    That is why GRiT is about far more than getting #moregirlsonbikes. In order to really build, strengthen and diversify our leagues, we must get more women and people of color on bikes as coaches. Those coaches can then help us reach and recruit more girls and student-athletes of color.

    Stay tuned over the next couple of months for more on how to recruit and support your female coach community and how male coaches can serve as allies, helping to get more girls and women on bikes! In the meantime, please reach out to Emily at egreen@nationalmtb.org if you’d like to strategize about how to do this on your team.

    ***

    2022 Sparkle on Scholarships – Coming Soon

    Sparkle-On-Final-WhiteBG

    Calling all Seniors to Save the Date! The Sparkle On Scholarship presented by Kate Courtney in partnership with SCOTT, Syncros, SRAM, and RockShox recognizes and supports student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to education and the cycling community during their time with NICA and will soon attend college. This year, Sparkle On will be awarded to six NICA seniors who show determination in pursuit of academic and athletic goals and a commitment to the cycling community and intend to continue to support and participate in cycling in college. The scholarships will include a monetary award of $6,500 each, mentorship in the form of quarterly calls with Kate, and participation in a Summit focused on skill building, on and off the bike. The application period will open on March 1 and close on March 21, 2022. Details to be shared via the NICA National website soon!

    ***

    TrueSport: 9 Ways to Model Good Sportsmanship from the Sidelines

    Have you ever stifled the urge to shout at a parent, referee, or player during a big game? As a coach, you probably know that it’s important to be a good role model for your young athletes. But what does that look like when you’re on the sidelines at a big game and your stress levels are skyrocketing?

    Dr. Amanda Stanec, who specializes in physical education and youth development through sport is a mother of three young athletes in addition to a coach educator. Here’s what she wants coaches to know about modeling good sportsmanship on gameday.

    1. Cheer on effort, not just achievement
    Rather than focusing on cheering hard when an athlete scores a goal in a game, try to cheer on moments of great effort. That could be when a child tries a new move—even if it doesn’t work out—or passes the ball to a teammate instead of trying to score a shot solo. “We need to really celebrate creativity and healthy risk-taking for athletes, not just moments where things go right and they score,” says Stanec. “We want kids to feel like they can try new things and take those risks. I hear a lot of coaches and parents make audible sighs or frustrated noises when an athlete misses a shot, and that just discourages athletes from trying anything new. There is no place for that on the sideline.”

    2. Focus on the psychosocial dynamic
    If we focus on encouraging teamwork and community rather than on competition and winning, more young athletes will stay in sport, says Stanec. “I think if every coach went into sport with the goal of having every kid love their sport more at the end of season, that would be great for youth athletics,” says Stanec. “And they’ll like it more if they’re improving, if they’re learning and trying new things, and if they’re encouraged to have a good time while being competitive.” Focusing on a joyful and hardworking environment will undoubtedly lead to more development and wins.

    3. Encourage cheering for everyone
    As a coach, it’s important to remember to cheer for everyone, not just the star players or your favorite or most dominant personalities on a team. “To me, the golden rule is to give positive feedback to each individual player on your team,” says Stanec. “There’s been such an adult model of sport pushed on kids that it seems like now there’s a lot of competition and favoritism even within many youth teams.”

    4. Be aware of negative language
    “I think a great way to model good sportsmanship from the sidelines is not only by giving each player specific positive feedback, but also making it a rule to not criticize any child during the game, ever,” says Stanec. “Every kid knows when they make a mistake once they begin playing at more competitive levels, so whether you’re a coach or a parent, during a game is not the time to bring it up.” If there’s a skill-based technique or tactic that the athlete can work on, a coach can make a note to bring it up in practice, but the heat of the moment during a game isn’t the time to get into it.

    5. Cheer for the other team
    Coaches (and parents) can influence how your team sees and treats players on opposing teams by cheering for those kids as well. “I like to cheer for the other team when a great play is made,” says Stanec. “Saying things like great shot, great save—those small things can make a big difference in attitudes from the opposing team’s athletes, coaches, and parents, while also making games much more fun, even while remaining highly competitive.” And cheering for great plays from the other team as a coach can also cue your own athletes into great tips and tactics that they may not have noticed before. Showing appreciation for the game and all the joy it can bring is something that ought to be celebrated.

    6. Coaches should set the tone with parents
    “It can be so helpful to have a meeting with parents at the beginning of the season to set standards for what’s appropriate at games,” Stanec says. “Let them know that the only thing you want to hear from them during a game is positive encouragement like ‘great hustle,’ or ‘great try.’ No coaching the coaches, no coaching the athletes.” You can even ask the athletes themselves to come up with a Code of Good Sportsmanship that encompasses the team’s positive values for coaches, parents, and the athletes themselves. Get everyone to sign this code at the start of the season.

    7. Pay attention to your body language
    You may not realize that your body language unconsciously is sending negative messages, but if you’re constantly shaking your head, covering your eyes, looking down, gesturing wildly, or just showing closed off body language, you may be sending unintentional nonverbal cues to the athletes, says Stanec. If you aren’t sure how you’re appearing at games, consider asking someone to video you for a few minutes, then play the footage back to see how you handle different moments. Focus on positive body language like cheering, smiling, making eye contact, and generally keeping your body relaxed and open.

    8. Roleplay high-stress scenarios
    A great way to model good sportsmanship—and prevent potential emotionally fraught moments in the game—is by roleplaying different high-stress situations. Ask yourself, how would you respond if someone does something disrespectful during the game, or makes you angry? Now, picture how your response would look if someone captured it on video and posted it online. Would you be okay with that reaction being posted? If not, what could you do instead? Preparing yourself by ‘rehearsing’ these scenarios can make a big difference to your reactions in the moment. Do this activity with your athletes or just as a personal exercise.

    9. Remember that kids absorb everything
    The areas that control logic and rational thought are some of the last to receive a circuit update in an adolescent’s brain, says Stanec. That means it may be harder for them to control their emotions, and if they see you engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior, from cursing under your breath at the umpire to shouting at a parent on the opposing team, they begin to emulate that reaction. “These unsportsmanlike behaviors are taught,” says Stanec.

    TAKEAWAY: When athletes look at their coach during a game, they should see positivity and encouragement, not frustration or anger. Athletes also shouldn’t see you arguing with referees or exhibiting negative body language. Remember, how you act determines how your athletes act.

    About TrueSport

    TrueSport®, a movement powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-
    Doping Agency, champions the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sport. TrueSport inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement and thoughtful curriculum based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, character-building, and clean and healthy performance, while also creating leaders across communities through sport.

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    ***

    NICA.NationalSponsors.NEWSLETTERS-7.7.21
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