COACH TRAINING

TEAMMTB COACH licensing

The Georgia Cycling Coach Licensing Program exists to create a youth mountain biking experience that is a safe and rewarding experience for both athletes and coaches. While other youth sports programs do not require background checks and training, Georgia Cycling prides itself on a structured licensing program.

  • The Georgia Cycling program is powered by volunteers. We are grateful for all those that give selflessly of their time to help coach a Georgia Cycling team. But we believe it is important for all of our volunteers to be versed in the best practices of coaching student-athletes. We see it as essential for your success and that of your team.

  • We have three different coaching levels and each level permits a coach to execute a specific set of responsibilities. All coaches are required to maintain an active Level 1 license in order to participate in any Georgia Cycling activities. Whether one progresses to a Level 2 or 3 is totally up to the individual. Some coaches stay a Level 1 their entire tenure while others are motivated to seek the Master Coach level.

  • We believe that an individual that spends time around student-athletes should have an annual background check. Given that we are a non-profit, the volunteer coach will need to cover the cost of their background check. We do have a need-based financial assistance program should a coach need help in covering costs.

The goal of our Coach Licensing Program is to ensure that all Georgia Cycling adult leaders are familiar with the best coaching practices. Licensed coaches must be trained in topics that include risk management, team management, ride management, and youth sports psychology. This training and education will help create a safe, positive, and fun environment for our student-athletes.

Comprehensive liability insurance is provided by the Association and covers all licensed coaches for the duration of the season. All adults riding with Georgia Cycling must hold a current license to be insured during these sanctioned activities.

REQUIREMENTLEVEL 1
Asst. Coach		LEVEL 2
Coach		LEVEL 3
Master Coach		RENEWAL
Background Check✔✔✔Yearly
Waiver & Participation Agreement✔✔✔Yearly
Abuse Awareness & Mandatory Reporting✔✔✔Yearly
Concussion Training✔✔✔Yearly
Coaching Fundamentals✔✔✔Yearly for Level 1
Mountain Bike Coaching 101✔✔✔3 Years
Mountain Bike Coaching 201 (beginning 2024)✔✔3 Years
Mountain Bike Coaching 3013 Years
First Aid Training✔2 Years
Advanced First Aid or WFA Training✔2 Years
CPR Training✔✔2 Years
Coaches Summit Attendance✔3 Years
Level 3 Coach Test✔No Renewal
Field Hours2540Yearly
Continuing Education Units
(Units after obtaining level)		2/Year4/YearYearly

first aid training

The Georgia Cycling Association will be offering three First Aid trainings for the 2024 season. This course will fulfill the Level 2 and 3 Coach Licensing requirements for teams within 1 hour of definitive care.

first aid training

Mountain biking is a sport that involves inherent risk and often takes place in locations that responders would have trouble reaching in an emergency. That is why it is important to have individuals on-site that have first aid training. Georgia Cycling takes rider safety seriously which is why we offer a variety of first aid training courses including CPR, Advanced First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid.

First aid training is a requirement for the coach licensing process. Our program meets industry standards for first aid training to ensure Georgia Cycling student-athletes (and fellow volunteers) receive appropriate care and response when emergencies occur.

BASIC FIRST AID

Requirement for LEVEL 2: Coach - This requirement must be fulfilled by attending an in-person course consisting of three (3) or more hours of instructional time; online courses will not be accepted. Topics include:

  • Severe Bleeding

  • Shock

  • Wounds and Burns

  • Muscle and Joint Injuries

  • Head and Spinal Injuries

  • Sudden Illness

ADVANCED FIRST AID OR wilderness first aid (wfa)

Requirement for LEVEL 3: Master Coach - This extensive training is designed to prepare anyone who enters the advanced terrain or the wilderness to confidently and effectively respond to injuries and illnesses that can occur while on the trail. The training will focus on staying calm, making good decisions, and relevant hands-on practice, including on-the-trail scenarios with classmates. Advanced First Aid or WFA certified coaches will be prepared to handle an emergency involving either student-athletes or fellow coaches, whether it be at the trailhead, in the parking lot, or deep into a trail.

Advanced First Aid courses are for locations that are within 1 hour of definitive care. Any locations more than 1 hour are required to take the WFA course for Level 3.

Topics covered in the Advanced First Aid and WFA courses include:

  • Managing an accident scene on a trail

  • Patient Assessment - shock and bleeding

  • Head and Spinal Injuries

  • Wound Care

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries

  • Heat/Cold Related Illness

WFA Training Sessions: The following organizations offer Wilderness First Aid and while these are not taught directly by Georgia Cycling, they do qualify to meet the Level 3 requirement for Wilderness First Aid Training.

  • The Northeast Georgia Boys Scouts WFA course is run by Chestatee Consulting, certifying through Emergency Care & Safety Institute: visit site

  • The Atlanta Boy Scouts offers courses through American Red Cross and SOLO: visit site

  • Nantahala Outdoor Center WFA training: visit site

  • National Outdoor Learning School offers courses through REI: visit site

CPR CERTIFICATION

A current CPR certification is required for Level 2 and Level 3 Licenses. You may take a course offered by the Georgia Cycling Association, but it is not required that you be taught CPR by Georgia Cycling. Courses from American Red Cross or other such organizations will be accepted. Typically, CPR Certifications last for one to two years. You must keep your CPR Certification current no matter which organization teaches your class.

  • Level 2 First Aid

    • Any in-person First Aid course of 3 or more hours of instruction time

    • Certified Nurse Aide

    • Chiropractor

  • Level 3 First Aid - Meets the Level 3 requirement for any team within an hour of definitive care from their practice and event locations

    • Advanced First Aid SOLO course offered through Georgia Cycling Association

    • Other alternative certifications that meet the requirement:

      • Medical doctor

      • Physician’s Assistant

      • Physical Therapist

      • Nurse

      • Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

      • Prehospital Life Support (PHTLS)

      • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

      • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

      • Athletic Trainer

      • Public Safety-First Aid (16 hr+)

      • Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)

      • Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)

  • Wilderness First Aid - Meets the Level 3 requirement for any team that is outside of 1 hour to definitive care from practice or event locations.

    • Complete 2 Day (16 hr+) WFA course

    • Other alternative certifications that meet the requirement:

      • Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

      • Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)

      • EMT

      • Paramedic

      • Trauma Surgeon

      • Orthopedic Surgeon

      • Emergency Medicine Physician

      • Military Medic

      • Combat First Aid

      • Public Safety-First Aid