Teaching students to ride unicycles may seem daunting to teachers. However, it can be taught quite effectively by teachers with knowledge of basic progressions. It should be understood that these skills usually take more time to learn than juggling and manipulative skills. Students may not experience success as quickly as in other activities, but the rewards of conquering these challenging skills are substantial. There will always be a handful of students who make unicycling their mission.

    If you are a Physical Education teacher, think of these skills as similar to gymnastics in terms of class routines and safety procedures. Students should always be supervised when practicing, and should be taught how to spot each other. Horseplay should never be tolerated.

    People often perceive unicycling as risky, maybe because they have seen a daredevil performer who rode (seemingly) out of control, or on a very tall unicycle. The result is an unfounded perception of high risk. The reality is that when basic safety procedures are followed, unicycle riding is actually safer than riding bicycles, skateboards, and in-line skates. This is because unicycles do not permit the rider to coast or achieve high speeds. Although mild bumps and scrapes do sometimes occur, teachers can minimize this occurrence by requiring students to wear kneepads and gloves while practicing. Many schools also use helmets. Today, helmets are inexpensive and lend an air of safety and forethought to peoples' perceptions of unicycling in a school environment.

    Students should be made aware of all rules and safety procedures. Here are some appropriate rules for unicycling:
1. Never interfere with a unicyclist who is practicing.
2. No horseplay.
3. The practice area should be free of obstructions.
4. Unicyclists have "right-of-way" when riding.

   Never allow students to brace themselves with “ski poles” or similar objects - a fall on to such equipment could cause serious injury. (Note: Although some books actually recommend this technique, it should definitely be avoided.)
 

Types of Unicycles     The best unicycles for institutional use are “standard” unicycles, which have pedals attached to the wheel (as opposed to using a chain to drive the wheel), and a seat reaching to about waist height. It's a good idea to buy decent unicycles, since they will be subjected to "hard use" in a school setting. Well built unicycles will have three-piece cranks, and have good seats without metal bumpers. Unicycles equipped with a quick-release clamp on the seat-post are ideal because this allows the seat height to be easily adjusted for any student.

 

Spotting     Students should learn to spot each other when they learn to unicycle. The spotter’s job is not to hold up the rider, but rather to offer support while the rider tries to balance himself. The rider should be encouraged to support his own weight at all times.     Stand on one side of the rider, even with their shoulder. Move with him when he starts riding.    Hold your hand out flat, and let the rider put his hand on top of yours.   Encourage your rider to sit up straight, and to support their own weight.

 
 

    Students can work in pairs or threes when learning unicycling. The following progression can be demonstrated for the class as a whole, after which students can begin taking turns in their groups.

1.  Checking & Adjusting the Seat Height (with quick-release clamp): Stand the unicycle up alongside you. It should reach to about the height of your hips.

    If your unicycles have quick-release seat clamps, follow these steps to adjust the seat height:

    Hold the wheel firmly between your knees, then undo the quick-release clamp.

    Adjust the seat to the correct height for your body, and hold it there.

    Tighten the clamp so the handle is tucked in toward the seat post and does not stick out.
 
 

2. Pedal Positions: There are two pedal positions to be aware of. The “Safety Position” is when both pedals are horizontally even. The rider’s weight is distributed evenly on each pedal, almost as if she were standing up. It is in this position that the rider has the most control. When learning to ride, always begin and end in the Safety Position.
When both the pedals are vertically even (one pedal at the bottom, and one on top), this is called the “Dead Spot". In this position the rider’s weight is mostly on the down-pedal, and it is easy to become stuck and lose balance. When learning, the rider should attempt to move smoothly through the Dead Spot without stopping.

3. Positioning Spotters & Mounting the Unicycle: Position the unicycle about an arm’s length from a clear wall with the tire parallel to the wall. The spotter holds her hand palm-up for the rider to grasp from above. The rider also holds onto the wall with his other hand.

    Rotate the wheel until one pedal is at the bottom. Sit lightly on the seat and put one foot on the down-pedal. Step up, and keep your weight on the down-pedal. Lean slowly forward until you can place the other foot on the up-pedal.

    There is an important safety issue here: The pedal must be in the down position when mounting - a student stepping on a pedal which is not in the down position  will either have the unicycle shoot away, or will have the other pedal swing up and strike the shins.

    Carefully and slowly, push the pedals forward until they are even - this is the Safety Position. Balance with even pressure on the seat and pedals.

    The spotter should assist the rider in mounting, but the rider should be encouraged to support their own weight as much as possible, and not to pull too hard on the spotter.

4. Getting Comfortable: As when walking a balance beam, the head leads the body. Encourage straight and tall posture on the unicycle. The following exercises may help students become more comfortable on the unicycle before attempting to ride.

    Sit up straight and tall. Pick a spot high on the wall and watch that spot. Don’t look down at the wheel!

    With the pedals in the Safety Position, stand up all the way on the pedals. Notice how well balanced you are in this position. Slowly lower yourself down onto the seat, and keep your weight distributed evenly.
 
 

5. Riding Forward along the Wall: The student should be touching the wall at about an arm’s length with one hand, and grasping the spotter’s hand with the other. It is best if the rider’s hand is ON TOP of the spotter’s palm-up hand. The student should be encouraged to try to support their own weight on the unicycle, and not lean heavily on the wall or spotter.
- Be sure the pedals are in the Safety Position before beginning. - Sit up straight and tall, and look forward.

    Lean slightly forward to begin moving. Slowly push the pedals forward for a half turn of the wheel, until the pedals are in the Safety Position again. If you get stuck in the Dead Spot, slowly push past it and into the Safety Position. Practice this step until comfortable, using half-turns of the wheel.
 
 

6. Riding in the Open with a Spotter: When comfortable, the rider can move into open spaces, with the spotter walking alongside. The rider should try to balance themselves, and not lean to heavily on the spotter.