Captains

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Assist coaches with practice activities.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Participate in the full schedule of MCA sanctioned season races (including the state championship if qualified). 
7. Beyond racing, be active at races by interacting with, encouraging, and cheering on your teammates and assisting coaches with warm-ups, etc.
8. 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.