Introduction to Coaching – Off-Road: your first coaching award
British Cycling's Introduction to Coaching – Off-Road makes you an Activity Coach, able to coach foundation skills on trails, parks and pump tracks.
In this guide
- What it is: The first step on British Cycling's off-road coaching pathway. You qualify as an Activity Coach.
- What you need first: Registration with British Cycling (no fee), and you must be at least 14. You can only coach on your own from 18. Welsh Cycling says 14 and 15-year-olds coach alongside an adult, and 16 and 17-year-olds need an adult nearby. You need off-road riding experience, a hardtail or XC bike in good order, and a helmet.
- What you'll learn: Coaching body position, body movement, cornering, and weighting and unweighting the bike.
- How long it takes: British Cycling describes a 6-week programme: e-learning, three evening virtual seminars, then a practical development day.
- Cost: £270 for the full course, says British Cycling. Safeguarding and first aid aren't included.
- What's next: Coach track: Coaching in Context – MTB.
Leaders get groups round. Coaches make riders better. This is where coaching starts.
Where you can coach
Trails, parks and pump tracks that are rideable at walking speed, with rollable technical features, and no more than 10 minutes' walk from emergency access. You can coach up to 8 riders on trails, or up to 20 in non-technical areas.
To coach under British Cycling insurance
- Hold a paid British Cycling membership.
- Complete the full Safeguarding Awareness Course. The course only includes a light-touch safeguarding unit.
- Hold an Emergency First Aid certificate. If you plan to go on to Coaching in Context, you'll need two-day outdoor first aid.
Source: Introduction to Coaching (Activity Coach) – Off-Road, Introduction to Coaching (Activity Coach) and First Aid requirements, British Cycling; Cycling Coach Award, Welsh Cycling, checked October 2026.
Governing body: British Cycling. It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for mountain biking, so it's the official place to find out more.
Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
