- Model the values and riding guidelines of 196 MTB and the MCA outlined in the team and MCA handbooks.
- Other riders will follow your lead, whether the behavior is appropriate or not, so Lead by example.
- This is your top priority! Failure to demonstrate appropriate behavior on and off the trail may result in your removal as a captain.
- Attend a pre-season on-trail captain training session with the coaches. This will include a review of skill drills and practice in demonstrating those skills.
- Assist coaches with practice activities.
- Commit to attending a minimum 75% of regular team practices.
- Considerations for unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances must be discussed and approved by the Head Coach prior to absence. Racing or riding instead of attending the practice does not qualify.
- Act as a leader and partner alongside the ride leaders and coaches in your assigned pod.
- Know the riders in your pod and assist with organizing the pod once the coaches call for wheels-in at the beginning of practice and wheels-out at the end of practice.
- Help ride leaders/coaches keep the pod together and organized while out on the trail and demonstrating good trail etiquette.
- Hold riders accountable that are not following approved 196 MTB and MCA riding practices.
- Ride with the middle school at least 2 times during the season. The Middle School Head Coach will decide with which group you will ride.
- Captains in higher pods may be requested to occasionally ride with lower pods to provide informal on-trail examples of techniques and to provide rider feedback.
- Act as demonstrator for skill drills (advance notice and training will be given to ensure you are prepared to demonstrate).
- Help coaches set up the drill when you will be demonstrating.
- You will be expected to arrive at practice early when acting as a demonstrator.
- Each captain will be required to do this at least once during the season, either for high school or middle school.
- Help lead activities or games (foot down, etc) before wheels-in at the beginning of practice and after riders start returning from their trail rides before wheels-out.
- Participate in the full schedule of MCA sanctioned season races (including the state championship if qualified).
- Beyond racing, be active at races by interacting with, encouraging, and cheering on your teammates and assisting coaches with warm-ups, etc.
- Attend optional team activities (both riding and non-riding) when available.
By accepting a captain role with 196 MTB, both the student rider and their guardian are agreeing to fulfill the above responsibilities for the team.
