8 ORGS · 171 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Progressive Skill-Building

By teaching skills in a structured, sequential manner, youth develop competence, confidence, and sustained participation in the sport, because incremental mastery reinforces learning, reduces injury risk, and fosters self-efficacy. This strategy emphasizes deliberate, stage-based learning that moves participants from foundational to advanced abilities in a supportive environment. It is distinct from general skill instruction by its intentional sequencing, use of evidence-based or standards-aligned methods, and focus on long-term retention and safety. While several organizations use sports as a vehicle for development, this approach specifically prioritizes pedagogical structure as the engine of personal growth and engagement.

8
orgs running it
171
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 8

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • After-school and race programs Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Provides structured after-school mountain biking opportunities and race-focused programming, including the Middle School Composite Team which trains twice weekly and competes in five ACA races from September to November.
  • Age-specific beginner biking programs Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Offers developmentally tailored programs for young children including "Push Bikers" (ages 2–4), "Pedaling Preschoolers" (ages 3–5), and groups for 5–6 year olds and 1st–2nd graders, focusing on foundational skills like balance, starting/stopping, trail etiquette, and confidence-building on dirt trails.
  • Bike and Equipment Provision Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Provides bikes and helmets during practice for school-based programs and maintains and expands its fleet of bikes and equipment to ensure access for all riders.
  • Bike and equipment access initiative Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Maintains and expands a fleet of bikes and helmets for program use, ensuring all youth can participate regardless of personal equipment access, with ongoing support from community donations and consignment proceeds.
  • Coach Training and Certification Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    capacity building
    Trains and certifies over 100 paid and volunteer coaches to lead and mentor youth safely, providing positive female role models.
  • Coach Training and Certification Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    capacity building
    Trains and certifies over 100 paid and volunteer coaches to safely lead and mentor youth in mountain biking programs, providing positive role models for participants.
  • Coach Training and Certification Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    capacity building
    Trains and certifies over 100 paid and volunteer coaches to safely lead and mentor youth in mountain biking programs, including providing positive female role models.
  • Coach training and mentorship program Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    capacity building
    Trains and certifies paid and volunteer coaches to safely lead and mentor youth in mountain biking activities, supporting a network of over 100 coaches who serve as positive role models, including female coaches for girls’ programs.
  • Community Events and Bike Park Management Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Hosts community events such as Movie Night, Halloween Bike Parade, and annual rides, and utilizes the FLYRS/Puente bike park, which contains drops, skinnies, a pump track, skill zones, and flow lines built by Flagline Trails and the FLYRS community.
  • Community events and engagement Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Hosts inclusive community events such as Movie Night, Halloween Bike Parade, and annual rides to foster community connection and engagement among youth riders and families.
  • Competitive RAD Team program Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Operates the FLYRS RAD Team, a competitive mountain biking program for youth, offering individualized training plans, financial support to reduce costs, and participation in ACA races. The team serves as an advanced pathway for skilled riders, with selection planned annually.
  • Competitive Youth Mountain Biking (RAD Team) Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Operates the FLYRS RAD Team, a competitive mountain biking program for Flagstaff youth, offering individualized training plans and financial support to reduce participant costs and make competitive mountain biking more accessible. The program aims to select approximately 10 riders annually.
  • Competitive Youth Mountain Biking (RAD Team) Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Operates the RAD Team, a competitive mountain biking program for Flagstaff youth, offering individualized training plans and financial support to reduce participant costs and make competitive mountain biking more accessible. The program aims to accelerate the mountain biking skills of participants.
  • Competitive Youth Mountain Biking (RAD Team) Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Operates the RAD Team, a competitive mountain biking program for Flagstaff youth, offering individualized training plans and financial support to reduce participant costs and make competitive mountain biking more accessible. The program aims to select approximately 10 riders annually.
  • Elementary and middle school skill-based riding groups Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Provides structured mountain biking groups for 3rd–5th graders and middle schoolers, categorized by interest and ability (e.g., FUN-Damentals, Thrills & Technique, Go Fast, Enduro), including all-girls and coed options, with seasonal programming focused on skill progression and trail rides.
  • Equipment Provision and Maintenance Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Provides bikes and helmets during practice for school-based programs and maintains and expands its fleet of bikes and equipment to ensure access for all riders.
  • FLYRS/Puente bike park utilization Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Utilizes the FLYRS/Puente bike park—featuring drops, skinnies, a pump track, skill zones, and flow lines—for youth skill development, with infrastructure built collaboratively by Flagline Trails and the FLYRS community.
  • Free school-based mountain biking programs Flagstaff Youth Riders Inc (aka FLYRS)
    direct service
    Offers no-cost mountain biking programs at participating schools in the Flagstaff Unified School District, providing bikes, helmets, and instruction to remove barriers to access. Programs are available at Puente de Hózhó, Killip, Marshall, Cromer, MEMS, and Summit High School.