Coaches

Coaches News

Coaches e-News

The League recognizes coaches as an essential component of successful mountain bike teams and wants to do whatever we can to support them. Please contact matt@socaldirt.org with any questions regarding coaching.

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved as a coach or ride leader for a high school mountain bike team: join rides with an existing team, start a new team, or volunteer at an event or camp.

If you want to get involved the first thing to do is join our Coaches e-News list. The League uses this email newsletter to keep coaches up to date on the League, race series and other League events throughout the year.

 

Join our Coaches e-News list


Coaches Licensing Program

The SoCal League is launching its Coaches Licensing Program for the 2009/2010 season. The purpose of the Coaches Licensing Program is to ensure that all League riders have adult leaders familiar with the best coaching practices. Licensed coaches have been trained in topics that include risk management, team management, ride management, and youth sports psychology.

For the upcoming season, Head Coaches are required to obtain a license from the League. Teams without a licensed Head Coach will incur a penalty at team registration. Assistant Coaches and Ride Leaders will be required to obtain a license from the League beginning with the 2010/2011 season and are encouraged be begin the process now.

Coaches wishing to obtain a license are encouraged to begin as soon as possible. Coaches who have missed the Leaders' Summit (which took place in October, 2009) may still obtain a license provided they attend the Leaders Summit in 2010.

Coaches' Licensing and License Renewal for the 2010 season is now open. In order to be covered by the comprehensive liability insurance, League coaches must complete the following:

  1. Complete the 2010 Coaches Licensing Form
  2. Read and sign a 2010 League Release
  3. Obtain a Background Check (only required one time)
  4. Head Coaches, Asst. Coaches and Ride Leaders must complete further steps to obtain the appropriate license (see Coaches Licensing Program for more infromation)

Please note that all coaches and ride volunteers of registered teams are currently insured as long as the team has a waiver on file for each of those adults. This grace period ends February 15th. After February 15th all coaches and ride volunteers must be licensed coaches in order to be fully insured.

Coaches Licensing Form

For detailed information about the SoCal Coaches Licensing Program, please refer to the Coaches Licensing Program document.

For questions regarding the coaches licensing program please contact Matthew Gunnell at matt@socaldirt.org.

Leaders’ Summit

Each fall the League hosts a Leaders’ Summit at which we offer clinics and seminars to help coaches, ride leaders, and other volunteers develop in areas including first aid, skills instruction, team management, working with adolescents, coaching girls, and much more. Leaders Summit Information.

While the Leaders' Summit is a requirement for the Coaches Licensing Program, it need not be the first step toward obtaining a license. Coaches who have missed the 2009 Leaders' Summit may still obtain a Coaches License for the 2009 season.

Fall/Winter Riding Camps

The League offers riders camps for a varity of skill levels. These camps are a great place to send new or experienced riders. They offer excellent instruction on skills ranging from basic to advanced. The camps also offer riders the opportiunity to meet their peers at a time when they may not know many other mountain bikers. Most riders leave camp more excited about bulding new friendships than the technical skills they gained.

Attend our Fall/Winter Riding Camps and help lead rides and teach skills alongside highly experienced instructors.

Start a Team

Looking to start a new team? The League Coaches' Manual has lots of great tips to help you get off the ground. You can view the first chapter of the Manual below. THe other chapters are currently only available by purchasing the Coaches' Manual (available at the Coaches' Store) or at the League's annual Leaders' Summit.

If you have other questions, please contact Matt Gunnell, Executive Director of the SoCal League, at matt@socaldirt.org.

Coaches Store

All registered Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Ride Leaders have access to discounts at our coaches store.

Other Resources

Below are resources, divided by topic, that will be helpful starting and running a high school team.

Coaches Manual

Coaching & Training

Team Administration, Management & Fundraising

Saftey & Risk Management

Sponsors

Volunteers

Insurance

Forms

 

© 2008 SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League