What is PODS? 

Performance Oriented Development System

PODS are:

1. Groups of athletes

   • A POD of athletes are all similarly skilled in riding technique, fitness, power, and coachability. Athlete experience informs POD assignment but is not the most important aspect. Safety is the most important aspect. 

2. Groups of coaches

   • A POD's coaches compliment one another and the athletes they coach. POD coaches will be strong in one or more skillsets related to training athletes at the POD's level and will have a cohort of complimentary coaches. Coaches can flex between different PODS as required. 

3. Tiered tasks, trails, skills, practices

   • A POD's training, tasks, skills, and practices are developmentally appropriate for the POD. A higher skilled POD may be doing complicated interval workouts while a lower tiered POD may be working on body-bike separation and shifting. A mid-level POD might be working on advanced cornering technique or safely negotiating trail features. 

Why PODS?

AHS's Performance Oriented Development System (PODS) is in place to address the following issues or shortcomings with standard one-size-fits-all team structures. 

• To keep practices safe. 

  • PODS primary purpose is to prevent athletes from getting in over their heads terrain or fitness-wise

• To keep athletes safe

  • Athletes in a group that is too fast or too technical are at increased risk of injury

  • Athletes in a group that is too slow or not technical enough get bored and do dangerous things

• To meet the athletes where they are

  • Slower athletes won't constantly be off the back

  • Faster athletes won't spend the practice waiting

• Athlete retention

  • Bored athletes quit

  • Overworked athletes quit

  • Scared athletes quit

  • Intimidated athletes quit

  • Overlooked athletes quit

• Maximizing our coaching volunteers

  • More coaches with more responsibility means that more athletes get individualized attention

  • Giving coaches more responsibility distributes the work

  • Giving coaches more responsibility will allow the coaching pool to mature 

Describe AHS's PODS

Bronze POD

New riders or known riders who are still learning how to ride safely in Southwest Austin. Lacking many of the basic OTB 101 skills. Unable to safely, consistently, efficiently negotiate Silver POD terrain.

Silver POD

Competent and safe on more forgiving (~<2ft drops) terrain. New racers. Comfortable with many OTB 101 skills. Unable to safely, consistently, efficiently negotiate Gold/Platinum POD terrain. 

Gold POD

Proven riders and racers. Capable with > 2ft drops. These riders can be as technically as capable as Platinum, but aren't ready or have expressed that they're not interested in intensive training. Gold riders are capable of wayfinding. Some Gold riders can keep up with Platinum, but only for 5 or 10 miles. 

Platinum POD 

Proven racers - tip of the spear. Interested in intensive interval training. Willing to make sacrifices to meet their goals. Platinum riders are adept at wayfinding and will be asked to route some late-season practices. Platinum POD members are expected to be leaders on the team and to always set a good example on and off the course. 

Moving between PODS

Athletes can be moved between PODS by meeting several criteria. This list is not all-inclusive and final POD assignment rests with coaching staff alone. This list exists to allow an athlete to understand some of the things coaching is evaluating at every practice and race.

Safety, coachability, and attitude are fundamental to reassignment. POD assignment and reassignment is done by the Head and Assistant Head coach. Athletes are able to petition for an upgrade. Coaches do not petition for an athlete, athletes will make the case for themselves, often with their current POD's lead coach's recommendation. 

As the season progresses, relative POD ability, speed, and difficulty increases. Athletes that are not progressing with their POD (due to lack of ability, attendance, and/or motivation) will almost assuredly be moved to a safer POD. 

Moving Up:

• Athletes will demonstrate leadership, humility, a positive attitude, and team-focus. 

• Athletes will demonstrate an ability to safely, consistently, and efficiently ride in their current POD, near or at the front. 

• Athletes will demonstrate the combination of fitness, technical ability, power, and coachability indicative of a higher-level POD

• Athletes demonstrate that they know where they are and how to navigate (wayfinding) (Gold/Platinum)

• Athletes will show race results in line with athletes already in a higher POD

• Athletes will demonstrate responsibility, marking attendance, being on time, showing up with all their gear every ride/race

Moving Down:

• Athletes demonstrate unsafe behavior

• Athletes demonstrate unsafe passing and/or blocking

• Athletes are consistently not able to keep up with the pace of the POD, causing consistent slowdowns

• Athletes are unable to safely, consistently, or efficiently negotiate their PODS' terrain

• Athletes need to be repeatedly reminded how to complete problems appropriate for their POD

• Athletes do not listen to or respond to coaching - particularly when addressing safety concerns

• Athletes will show race results in line with athletes already in a lower POD