Skilled and dedicated coaches are the most important asset of Arizona Cycling Association mountain bike teams. An ACA coach puts the safety and overall well-being of their student-athletes as the first priority. Licensed coaches are role models and teachers who are open to learning the best practices of youth mountain bike coaching and actively working to hone their leadership skills.
- No experience is necessary to become an ACA coach.
- We have many teams already established with which you could volunteer – a great way to get a first-hand look at what managing a team is like.
- We have the tools to help all coaches succeed.
How Do I Get Started?
The path to becoming an ACA coach generally begins with volunteering with a local team or attending a Leadership Summit. All coaches are required to obtain a coaches license at one of three levels:
- Level 1 – Assists all coaches as directed by the head coach.
- Level 2 – Assists Level 3 coaches with advanced tasks such as leading rides.
- Level 3 – Takes a leadership role within the team. Equivalent competencies as head coach.
Start with Level 1 and take it one step at a time throughout the year as training opportunities arise to complete requirements. Level 1 certification is the minimum requirement to ride with and coach our student-athletes.
All Level 1 requirements are offered online. Trainings for Levels 2 and 3 are both online and offered locally through the ACA. Please screenshot the results of all your online trainings (e.g., NFHS Concussion, CEU credits) and upload to your profile in the ACA registration system. You will not receive email confirmation of results for many of the online courses.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS | LEVEL 1 | LEVEL 2 | LEVEL 3 | RENEWAL |
Background Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
Participation Agreement & Liability Waiver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
License Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
Concussion Training | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
Abuse Awareness & Prevention Training | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
Youth Development Through Cycling: Philosophy & Safety | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual |
Coaching on the Trail | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Every 2 years |
CPR Certification | – | ✓ | ✓ | As licensed by provider |
First Aid (AHA Basic First Aid, equivalent or greater certification) | – | ✓ | ✓ | As licensed by provider |
MTB 101: Essential Skills | – | ✓ | ✓ | Once |
MTB 201: Intermediate Skills | – | optional | optional | Once |
MTB 301: Advanced Skills | – | optional | optional | Once |
Leadership Summit | – | – | ✓ | Once |
Field Work Hours | – | 20 | 80 | Once |
Continuing Education Units | – | 3 | 6 | Every 3 years |