Coaching with MiSCA

Cost: Included with MiSCA coach registration (online)

Every adult volunteer in our organization must complete a background check per our SafeKids Policy. Background checks are initiated each year via our online registration system at the time of coach registration. You will receive an invitation via email to complete the background check (check Spam folder). If you did not receive the invitation, email [email protected] to resend the email.

Sterling Volunteers’ simple 4 step process takes less than 5 minutes to complete. You’ll submit your basic information (name, address etc.) and then your background check will be completed in as little as 12 hours. Sterling Volunteers background checks are comprised of the highest quality searches to help provide safe environments for both volunteers and the organizations they serve. Our background check includes a Social Security Trace, Nationwide Criminal History Search, Department of Justice Sex Offender Search and more.

You will receive an email from Sterling when your background check is approved. This is automatically confirmed in CCN and no further action is required.

Cost: Free (online)
Time: Approximately 20 minutes

Concussion management is important for all riders! All adults working with students must complete the CDC’s Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports. Learn about the signs and symptoms of concussion and what to do if you believe a rider is experiencing one. Please review the CDC Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports and complete a quick quiz. MiSCA will verify completion and upload results into our registration system on a weekly basis.

Cost: Free (online)
Time: Approximately 10 minutes

MiSCA expects coaches to maintain a certain level of professionalism. By reviewing the Coaches Code of Conduct annually, coaches are continually reminded of their commitment to our families. MiSCA is committed to provide a safe environment and to prevent child abuse and sexual misconduct. MiSCA will take appropriate action on all allegations of child abuse and/or sexual misconduct. All allegations will be reported immediately to the authorities for investigation and we will cooperate fully with any such investigation. 

Requirement is satisfied during annual registration process.

Cost: Included with MiSCA coach registration (online)
Time: Approximately 30 Minutes

Coaches that review this material will feel capable of assisting ride leaders during group rides.

Preparing to coach on the trail

• Pre-riding trails
• What’s in your pack?
• Basic first-aid & CPR training
• Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
• Emergency Contact list
• Incident response
• Incident report form

Ride Leading

• Bike Safety Check
• Helmet Check
• Assessing riders
• Safety Talk
• Ride leading best practices
• Trail Etiquette
• Incident response
• Reflection

All coaches must review the Coaching on the Trail study guide and pass the Quiz.

 MiSCA will verify completion and upload results into our registration system on a weekly basis.

Cost: Varies (in-person)
Time: Approximately 4 Hours (may be combined with CPR below)

Mountain biking is a sport that involves inherent risk and often takes place in locations that responders would have trouble reaching in an emergency. For this reason, our coach certification program has high standards for first aid certifications. Adult Basic First Aid classes offered by organizations such as American Red Cross will fulfill this requirement (Adult & Pediatric preferred). Typically First Aid Certification lasts 2 years. Only certifications that include an in-person component are valid.

Submit your certificates in the Coach Requirement Submissions page in CCN. MiSCA will verify your certificate and expiration on a weekly basis.

Cost: Varies (in-person)
Time: Approximately 2 Hours (may be combined with First Aid above)

Mountain biking is a sport that involves inherent risk and often takes place in locations that responders would have trouble reaching in an emergency. For this reason, our coach certification program has high standards for CPR certifications for our coaches. Adult Basic CPR/AED certification offered by organizations such as American Heart Association or American Red Cross will fulfill this requirement Adult & Pediatric preferred). Typically CPR Certification lasts 2 years. Only certifications that include an in-person component are valid.

Submit your certificates in the Coach Requirement Submissions page in CCN. MiSCA will verify your certificate and expiration on a weekly basis.

Cost: Included with MiSCA coach registration (in-person)
Time: Approximately 4 Hours
Prerequisite: Coaching on the Trail

Coaches that attend the training will feel capable of teaching their student-athletes the Essential Skills.

Objectives:

• Coaches will be able to set up a skills instruction session
• Coaches will be able to teach and demonstrate the Essential Skills
• Coaches will be able to detect rider errors and provide appropriate corrections

Skills Included:

• Neutral and Ready Position
• Braking
• Side to Side Bike/Body Separation
• Forward and Back Bike/Body Separation
• Intro to Cornering
• Tight Turns
• Shifting
• Climbing
• Seated climbing
• Crouched climbing
• Standing climb
• Climbing Dismount
• Climbing Restart
• Descending Dismount

Find coach education through our events listing. MiSCA will process your completion in our registration system and send you a certificate via email.

Cost: Included with MiSCA coach registration (in-person)
Time: Approximately 4 Hours
Prerequisite: Essential MTB Skills (can be completed on the same day immediately before)

Coaches that attend the training will feel capable of teaching their student-athletes the Intermediate Skills.

Objectives:

• Coaches will be able to set up a skills instruction session
• Coaches will be able to teach and demonstrate the Intermediate Skills
• Coaches will be able to detect rider errors and provide appropriate corrections

Skills Included:

• 3 Essentials
• Progression of Essential Skills (Tall and Low Ready Position, Foot Wedge, Body Wedge, Braking, Intermediate Cornering)
• Ratcheting
• Riding Straight Lines
• Rock Dodge
• Switchbacks
• Sprinting
• Bumping & Proximity Skills
• Level Lift
• Basic Front Wheel Lift
• Basic Rear Wheel Lift
• Roll Down

Find coach education through our events listing. MiSCA will process your completion in our registration system and send you a certificate via email.

Cost: Included with MiSCA coach registration (in-person)
Time: Approximately 4 Hours
Prerequisite: Intermediate MTB Skills (can be completed on the same day immediately before)

Coaches that attend the training will feel capable of teaching their student-athletes the Advanced Skills.

Objectives:

• Coaches will be able to set up a skills instruction session
• Coaches will be able to teach and demonstrate the Advanced Skills
• Coaches will be able to detect rider errors and provide appropriate corrections

Skills Included:

• 3 Essentials
• Pumping
• Advanced Cornering
• Berm Cornering
• Trackstand
• Rolling Dismount
• Rolling Mount
• Manual Front Wheel Lift
• Pedaling Front Wheel Lift
• Drops

Find coach education through our events listing. MiSCA will process your completion in our registration system and send you a certificate via email.