At just 4 years old, Obi has already displayed an extraordinary aptitude for scooter riding, leaving friends, family, and fellow riders in awe. This prodigious youngster is not only fearless, but also remarkably skilful for his age.

Obi’s natural talent for mastering scooter tricks has quickly earned him a reputation at the local skatepark. Even at such a young age, he shows incredible dedication and determination in perfecting his craft. His uncanny ability to adapt and learn new tricks with ease has garnered admiration from both his peers and older riders alike.

Some pretty switched-on kid down at the park.

He fearlessly tackles new challenges with a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Watching him progress so rapidly has been an incredible journey, and we can’t wait to see where his talent takes him in the future.

Training Plan 😆

Creating a scooter training plan is a great way to help your child progress in a structured and safe manner. Here’s a suggested plan that begins with the basics and gradually introduces new skills:

Week 1-2: Fundamentals

1. Familiarisation: Ensure your child is comfortable with their scooter and understands how to use the brakes and adjust the handlebars.
2. Balancing: Practise balancing on the scooter while stationary and then while moving.
3. Basic turning: Teach your child how to shift their weight and lean into turns while maintaining balance.
4. Stopping: Practise using the brake to come to a complete stop safely.

Week 3-4: Basic Tricks and Techniques

1. Bunny Hop: Learn to lift both wheels off the ground simultaneously.
2. Manual: Practise balancing and riding on the back wheel.
3. Nose Manual: Practise balancing and riding on the front wheel.
4. Fakie: Learn to ride backward after performing tricks like a 180 or 360.

Week 5-6: Beginner Tricks

1. 180: Learn to jump and spin the scooter 180 degrees.
2. 360: Learn to jump and spin the scooter 360 degrees.
3. Tailwhip: Practise spinning the deck 360 degrees around the headset and landing back on it.
4. Barspin: Learn to jump and spin the handlebars 360 degrees around the headset while in the air.

Week 7-8: Intermediate Tricks

1. Double Tailwhip: Practise spinning the deck twice (720 degrees) around the headset and landing back on it.
2. Heelwhip: Learn to spin the deck 360 degrees in the opposite direction (toward the rider’s heels) and land back on it.
3. Tuck No-Hander: Practise jumping and removing both hands from the handlebars while tucking the knees.
4. No-Footer: Learn to jump and remove both feet from the deck while in the air.

Week 9-10: Introduction to Ramp Riding

1. Pumping: Learn to gain speed on a ramp by shifting weight and bending the knees.
2. Dropping in: Practise entering a ramp from the top by leaning forward and maintaining balance.
3. Carving: Learn to make smooth turns on ramps by leaning into the curve and maintaining speed.
4. Basic air: Practise getting air off the coping of a ramp while maintaining control and balance.

Week 11-12: Advanced Tricks and Grinds

1. Bri Flip: Learn to flip the scooter horizontally while jumping, similar to a barrel roll.
2. Flair: Practice performing a combination of a backflip and a 180-degree spin on a ramp.
3. Feeble Grind: Learn to grind a ledge or rail with the front wheel on top and the back wheel sliding along the side.
4. Boardslide: Practise jumping onto a ledge or rail and sliding sideways with the deck in contact with the surface.

Week 13-14: Combining Tricks

1. Tailwhip to Barspin: Combine two tricks by performing a tailwhip and then a barspin while in the air.
2. 360 Tailwhip: Jump and spin the scooter 360 degrees while simultaneously performing a tailwhip.
3. 180 to Fakie: Perform a 180 spin and continue riding backward (fakie).
4. Barspin to Manual: Combine a barspin with a manual by landing with the front wheel lifted off the ground.

Week 15-16: Advanced Ramp Riding

1. Air to Fakie: Practise getting air off a ramp, then landing and riding backward (fakie).
2. 180 Air: Perform a 180 spin while getting air off a ramp.
3. 360 Air: Perform a 360 spin while getting air off a ramp.
4. Tailwhip Air: Practise performing a tailwhip while getting air off a ramp.

Week 17-18: More Grinds and Slides

1. Smith Grind: Learn to grind a ledge or rail with the back wheel on top and the front wheel sliding along the side.
2. 50-50 Grind: Practise grinding a ledge or rail with both wheels sliding along the edge.
3. Icepick Grind: Learn to grind a ledge or rail with only the back wheel on top.
4. Feeble to Barspin: Combine a feeble grind with a barspin by performing the barspin while exiting the grind.

Week 19-20: Advanced Combos and Variations

1. Double Barspin: Jump and spin the handlebars twice (720 degrees) around the headset while in the air.
2. Tailwhip to Manual: Perform a tailwhip and land in a manual position.
3. 360 to Tailwhip: Combine a 360 spin with a tailwhip by performing the tailwhip immediately after the spin.
4. Barspin to Fakie: Perform a barspin and land riding backward (fakie).

Remember that this extended training plan is a guideline, and every rider’s progress will vary. The most important aspect is to prioritise safety and ensure that your child wears appropriate protective gear while practising. Encourage your child to learn at their own pace, ask for help or guidance when needed, and enjoy the process of learning new skills and tricks!

Skatepark Training

Here’s a skatepark-focussed training program that incorporates various park features, including bowls, ramps, and other elements:

This skatepark training program provides a gradual progression through various park features and skills, ensuring a safe and enjoyable learning experience. Remember to prioritise safety, wear appropriate protective gear, and adjust the program as needed to match your child’s skill level and progress. Encourage your child to have fun and enjoy the process of learning and mastering new skills in the skatepark!

Week 1-2: Familiarisation and Basic Park Navigation

1. Get comfortable with the skatepark environment and features.
2. Practice riding and navigating around different skatepark obstacles.
3. Work on maintaining speed and balance while transitioning between different park sections.

Week 3-4: Beginner Ramps and Bowl Riding

1. Practice dropping in on small ramps and quarter pipes.
2. Learn how to pump and maintain speed in the bowl.
3. Work on basic carving techniques in the bowl and on ramps.

Week 5-6: Street Section and Grinds

1. Practice ollies and bunny hops onto ledges, manual pads, and fun boxes.
2. Begin learning basic grinds and slides on ledges and rails.
3. Work on basic lip tricks on quarter pipes and mini ramps.

Week 7-8: Mini Ramp and Transitions

1. Learn how to drop in on a mini ramp.
2. Practise back-and-forth transitions on the mini ramp.
3. Begin learning basic aerial tricks on the mini ramp, such as 180s and 360s.

Week 9-10: Intermediate Bowl Riding and Flow Section

1. Work on more advanced carving techniques in the bowl.
2. Learn how to air out of the bowl and perform basic aerial tricks.
3. Practise maintaining speed and fluidity in the flow section, linking multiple tricks and transitions.

Week 11-12: Advanced Ramp and Bowl Tricks

1. Practise more advanced aerial tricks on ramps, such as tailwhips and barspins.
2. Work on spine transfers and other spine-specific tricks.
3. Continue developing advanced bowl riding skills, such as lip tricks and aerial combinations.

Week 13-14: Advanced Street Section and Grinds

1. Begin learning advanced grinds and slides on ledges, rails, and other street obstacles.
2. Work on more complex lip tricks and combinations on street-inspired features.
3. Practise advanced street-style tricks, such as stair set jumps and handrail grinds.

Week 15-16: Combining Tricks and Park Flow

1. Focus on linking multiple tricks together in smooth, fluid sequences.
2. Work on incorporating a variety of park features into your trick sequences.
3. Develop your unique style and creativity within the skatepark environment.

World Championships

Preparing for the World Championships requires a focused and structured training schedule. Assuming your child is already at an advanced level, this plan will help them fine-tune their skills, build consistency, and peak at the right time for the competition.

Month 1: Skill Refinement

1. Week 1-2: Review and practice all tricks, focusing on perfecting form and execution.
2. Week 3-4: Identify weak areas and dedicate extra practice time to improve them.

Month 2: Consistency and Endurance

1. Week 1-2: Work on consistency by practicing each trick multiple times in a row without bailing.
2. Week 3-4: Build endurance by practicing longer sessions and incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for cardiovascular fitness.

Month 3: Routine Development

1. Week 1-2: Develop a competition routine, focusing on seamless transitions between tricks and maximizing scoring potential.
2. Week 3-4: Refine and practice the routine, ensuring smooth execution and consistency.

Month 4: Mental Preparation and Strategy

1. Week 1-2: Work on mental preparation, including visualization, breathing techniques, and goal-setting.
2. Week 3-4: Develop a competition strategy, including backup plans for missed tricks, adjusting to course conditions, and managing nerves.

Month 5: Peak Performance and Recovery

1. Week 1-2: Taper training intensity to ensure peak performance during the competition.
2. Week 3: Final practice sessions, focusing on maintaining consistency and sharpness.
3. Week 4: Light training sessions with an emphasis on recovery, stretching, and mental preparation.

During this 5-month training schedule, it’s essential to prioritise safety, recovery, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ensure that your child gets adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and takes rest days as needed. Encourage open communication about their progress, challenges, and goals. This will help them stay motivated, confident, and ready to perform at their best during the World Championships.

Protective Gear

Recommendations for Protective Gear for Our 4-Year-Old Scooter Rider

To ensure their safety, I have researched the protective gear we should consider for our little one. Here is a detailed recommendation for the necessary equipment:

• Full-face helmet: A full-face helmet will provide better protection for the forehead, face, and jaw, which is essential for young riders. Look for a helmet that meets safety standards set by organisations like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the European Committee for Standardisation (CE/EN). Ensure the helmet fits snugly but comfortably and doesn’t obstruct vision or hearing.
• Knee pads: Similar to elbow pads, select knee pads with a hard outer shell and soft padding. These will protect our child’s knees during falls and help prevent injuries.
• Wrist guards: Wrist guards will support and cushion our child’s wrists, helping to prevent fractures and sprains during falls. They also protect the palms from scrapes.
• Elbow pads: Choose elbow pads with a hard outer shell and soft padding on the inside for both protection and comfort. These will help protect our child’s elbows during falls.
• Gloves: Padded gloves will offer additional protection for our child’s hands from scrapes, cuts, and bruises. Look for gloves with padding in the palms and knuckles.
• Closed-toe shoes: Closed-toe shoes with flat soles are recommended for better grip on the scooter and protection for our child’s feet.
• Shin guards (optional): If our child starts performing more advanced tricks, we can consider shin guards for added protection.

It is crucial to ensure that all protective gear fits correctly and is comfortable for our child to wear. Encourage them to wear the equipment consistently while practising and remind them of the importance of safety. As their skills develop, we can continue to assess their needs and adjust their protective gear accordingly.

Tricks

Here’s a table of some scooter tricks and their descriptions:

Trick Name	Description
Bunny Hop	A basic trick where the rider jumps with both wheels off the ground simultaneously.
Manual	Balancing and riding on the back wheel with the front wheel lifted off the ground.
Nose Manual	Balancing and riding on the front wheel with the back wheel lifted off the ground.
Tailwhip	The rider jumps, spins the deck of the scooter 360 degrees around the headset, and lands back on it.
Barspin	The rider jumps and spins the handlebars 360 degrees around the headset while in the air.
Heelwhip	Similar to a tailwhip, but the deck spins in the opposite direction (toward the rider’s heels).
180	The rider jumps and spins the scooter 180 degrees, landing in the opposite direction.
360	The rider jumps and spins the scooter 360 degrees, landing in the same direction.
Fakie	Riding backward after performing a trick like a 180 or 360.
Fingerwhip	The rider jumps and spins the deck 360 degrees using one hand while holding the handlebars.
Bri Flip	The rider flips the scooter horizontally while jumping, similar to a barrel roll.
Flair	A combination of a backflip and a 180-degree spin, usually performed on a ramp.
Tuck No-Hander	The rider jumps and removes both hands from the handlebars while tucking their knees.
No-Footer	The rider jumps and removes both feet from the deck while in the air.
Backflip	The rider performs a complete backward flip while in the air, usually off a ramp.
Front Flip	The rider performs a complete forward flip while in the air, usually off a ramp.

Please note that this table provides only a brief overview of some scooter tricks. Each trick requires practice and skill to master. Riders should always wear appropriate protective gear and practice in a safe environment with proper supervision.

More Tricks

There are many more scooter tricks out there, and as your child progresses, they may want to learn more advanced moves. Here are some additional tricks and their descriptions:

Trick Name	Description
Double Tailwhip	The rider jumps and spins the deck of the scooter twice (720 degrees) around the headset and lands on it.
Triple Tailwhip	The rider jumps and spins the deck of the scooter three times (1080 degrees) around the headset and lands on it.
Double Barspin	The rider jumps and spins the handlebars twice (720 degrees) around the headset while in the air.
Superman	The rider jumps, extends their legs straight behind them, and releases their feet from the deck.
Can-Can	The rider jumps, takes one foot off the deck, and extends it over the opposite side of the scooter.
X-Up	The rider jumps and twists the handlebars 180 degrees while keeping both hands on the grips.
Downside Whip	The rider jumps and spins the deck 360 degrees in the opposite direction of their spin while in the air.
Inward Bri Flip	A variation of the Bri Flip where the rider flips the scooter horizontally in the opposite direction.
Hang 5	The rider balances on the front wheel with one foot on the front peg and the other foot dangling.
Feeble Grind	The rider grinds a ledge or rail with the front wheel on top and the back wheel sliding along the side.
Smith Grind	The rider grinds a ledge or rail with the back wheel on top and the front wheel sliding along the side.
50-50 Grind	The rider grinds a ledge or rail with both wheels sliding along the edge.
Boardslide	The rider jumps onto a ledge or rail and slides sideways with the deck in contact with the surface.
Icepick Grind	The rider grinds a ledge or rail with only the back wheel on top.

These are just a few more examples of scooter tricks. As your child becomes more experienced, they will discover many more tricks and variations. Remember that learning new tricks takes time and practice, and it’s essential to prioritise safety by wearing appropriate protective gear and practising in a safe environment. Encourage your child to learn at their own pace and to have fun exploring their new hobby!