The Dynamic Duo: Behind the Scenes of Youth Cycling Leadership

November 1, 2024

Building a successful youth cycling program is extremely satisfying, but it takes time, effort, and a tremendous amount of teamwork. We've proven that you don't need mountains to have a mountain bike team—but you do need dedication and collaboration. Making this work requires strong leadership, careful planning, and a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination.

From my experience, I've learned that the success of our programs depends on the collaboration between two key roles: the Team Director and the Head Coach. I want to take you behind the scenes to explore what makes this partnership so effective.

Team Director vs. Head Coach: Different Hats, Shared Vision

The Team Director and the Head Coach each wear different hats, but they share a common vision—creating an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment for our young riders. The Team Director is the one managing the logistics, like making sure registration runs smoothly, handling team communications, and dealing with all the administrative tasks that keep the wheels turning. The Head Coach, on the other hand, is focused on the riders themselves—planning and running practices, assessing new riders, and working with our coaches to build skills and confidence.

While the roles are distinct, they're also deeply connected. The Team Director's work sets the foundation for a well-organized season, allowing the Head Coach to focus on what they do best—coaching. Together, they create a seamless experience for our riders and their families.

Collaboration: The Key to Success

Our success comes from the collaboration between these two roles. It's not just about dividing tasks—it's about working together to create something bigger than the sum of its parts. Season planning is a perfect example. The Team Director and Head Coach work side by side to map out the season, decide on key events, and make sure everything is in place for a great experience. When the Team Director manages the logistics, it frees up the Head Coach to focus on rider development, making sure every child feels supported and ready to take on new challenges.

Lessons in Delegation

One of the biggest lessons I've learned in building these programs is the importance of delegation. Neither the Team Director nor the Head Coach can (or should) do it all. We encourage our coaches to step up and take on responsibilities—whether it's leading a practice, helping with logistics, or mentoring new riders. Delegation isn't just practical—it's a way to build a stronger, more resilient team. It ensures that our riders get the best experience possible because every coach and leader is fully engaged and contributing their unique skills.

Why It Matters

At the end of the day, our goal is to create an environment where every child can discover the joy of cycling—and that means building a team behind the scenes that's just as passionate as our riders. The partnership between the Team Director and the Head Coach is what makes it all possible. By working together, sharing responsibilities, and supporting each other, we can create a cycling community that welcomes everyone, no matter their experience level.

Stay tuned for more insights into how we make it all happen. In a future post, I'll dive into how Independence Youth Cycling, schools and other organizations' programs support both the Team Director and Head Coach roles, ensuring leaders have the tools they need to succeed. We're just getting started, and there's room for everyone on this adventure!

Team-Driven Tasks by Role

Team Director

• Manage lists of coach and rider leads

• Manage rider pre-registration

• Manage TeamSnap (sending invitations)

• Manage coach/rider registrations in PitZone

• Lead general season communications

• Organize off-the-bike activities

• Request named insurance certificates

Head Coach

• Organize coaches and rider rosters

• Review rosters from previous season

• Run analysis on riders aging up

• Keep an eye on coach certifications

• Review rider leads

• Assess new riders

• Plan practices

• Run practices (with the team)

• Lead student-athlete assessment

• Lead pre-ride organization at events

• Decide on ride activities at events

• Communicate/update practice schedule via TeamSnap

• Scope new practice locations

They Both

• Cooperate on season planning

• Communicate "what to expect" (how to sign up for race events, traveling, hotels, etc.)

• Decide on practice go/no go regarding weather

• Decide what equipment to buy

• Plan/manage TTC, submit hours

• Manage rostering at/prior to events

• Lead race planning and day-of management

• Identify point person for race event timing review

• Write/manage EAPs

• Get approval from land management

For a detailed breakdown, you can view or download the full PDF here: The Dynamic Duo - Directors and Head Coaches.