Phil's KIDZ Inline Skating Class Obstacle Course

The first thing I do when I get to my site for my KIDZ Classes is to lay out an obstacle course. One, the kids love it and Second, it allows me to watch the students skate in an unthreatening manner. It can also give me a break as I pull my thoughts together. Here are some pictures of one of my obstacle courses in the City Hall parking lot in the City of Cupertino, CA. That's where my Parks and Recreation Classes are now held because of all the construction going on at all the local schools.
My basic pile of junk, or props. Assorted cones 4" and 16", a piece of carpet, two pieces of rope for jumping over, a canister of street chalk, assorted boxes, the pizza box is used for teaching parallel turns, and a mesh bag full of assorted balls and picnic plates. Then you just figure out a path around the periphery of your teaching area.
Ya' gotta' start some place.
The first turn. Nothing fancy just get them used to follow directions.
We have lots of these on the course. These are virtual brick walls. You have to stop before the cones otherwise you crash into the wall.
A long shot of one section.
Carpet scrap for simulated grass for grass stops and skating through bad stuff.
A long view down the back stretch to a turn around cone.
Over the box with a skate on each side.
Zigzag through he slalom course.
Kids are natural jumpers and they love it. Just make sure they bend their knees and grab their knee pads when they land.
Big zigs and zags around the boxes.
Everybody wins. Students are requested to stay in line with no crowding. I mix the order each time. Even the raw beginners can go through the course at the end of the lesson and they are very proud of themselves when they finish. Beginners usually don't do the jump.
Kids LOVE to play soccer on skates. I have a zero and 36 record so far and I still looking for my first win. I used to have a real soccer ball but it sprang a leak. This is a small rubber basketball and holds up very on the rough surfaces.
This is a paper or plastic picnic plate with a soft rubber ball. It is a prop that I use to force the kids to keep their hands out in front of them. I don't always have to use the ball but it makes it a little more interesting.

I got the big cones at Home Depot and the little 4" ones from
Poly Enterprises Inc., 230 E Pomona Av, Monrovia, CA 91016
Check out the blems or rejects for the best buy. Who cares if a cone had a ding.
626-358-5116, FAX: 626-358-7862
http://www.polyenterprises.com/

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Have fun! Cheers! PHIL
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Phil Lenihan - The Old Dude on Blades Skate School
Level 1 & 2 - Freestyle Dance & Blade Fitness, IISA Certified In-line Skating Instructor
Golden Gate Skate Patrol, San Francisco
Phone: 408-996-8302 FAX 408-861-0300
phil@lenihan.org <http://www.lenihan.org>
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY,
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
The future is bright... Be there.... Wear a helmet!!!
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