10 Dirt Jump MTB Tricks for Riders New to Jumping

Ready to ditch the boring bunny hops and take your mountain biking to new heights? Dirt jumps offer a thrilling way to add airtime and style to your riding. But before you launch yourself off a massive ramp, it’s crucial to build a solid foundation.

This guide unlocks 10 awesome dirt jump tricks for those new to jumping that will have you catching air and shredding like a pro in no time! (in no particular order)

Master the Basics First:

Safety and skill go hand in hand. Before attempting any tricks, ensure you’re comfortable with basic jumps:

• Smooth Takeoff: Focus on initiating the jump with proper leg extension and body position.
• Controlled Airtime: Get comfortable with how your bike handles in mid-air.
• Balanced Landing: Practice absorbing landings with your knees and elbows to avoid a harsh impact.

Once you’ve mastered these fundamentals, you’re ready to dive into our top 10 favorite dirt jump tricks! We’ve included simple explanations to help you get started. Let’s get down to the fun stuff!

Our 10 Favorite Dirt Jump Tricks for Those New to Jumping:

Tabletop Clears:

Start by conquering tabletop jumps – these have a flat landing, making them perfect for practicing. Aim to clear the entire jump with smooth control. See our guide on how to tabletop here.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump at a moderate speed.
• Takeoff: Lean slightly forward as you reach the jump’s lip.
• In the Air: Keep your bike level and aim to clear the entire tabletop.
• Landing: Land with both wheels at the same time, maintaining control.

No-Footer:

Ready to level up? The no-footer challenges your balance. Remove one foot from the pedals during the jump, focusing on maintaining a centered position in the air.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump with a balanced stance.
• Takeoff: As you leave the jump’s lip, lift your feet off the pedals.
• In the Air: Keep your body centered and steady.
• Landing: Place your feet back on the pedals and land smoothly.

Bunny Hop Hero:

The bunny hop isn’t just a trick; it’s a fundamental skill for dirt jumps. Practice popping the bike off the ground with your legs to boost your jump initiation.

• Preparation: Ride at a slow to moderate speed.
• Takeoff: Pull up on the handlebars and lift the front wheel.
• In the Air: Use your legs to lift the rear wheel.
• Landing: Land with both wheels simultaneously.

Superman Soaring:

Channel your inner superhero with the superman! Extend your arms and legs straight out while airborne. This is a fantastic way to get used to airtime and body position.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump with confidence.
• Takeoff: As you leave the lip, extend your arms and legs straight out.
• In the Air: Maintain the superman position briefly.
• Landing: Pull your limbs back in and prepare for a smooth landing.

Tuck and Fly (Tuck Jump):

Feeling the wind resistance on the superman? Tuck your knees towards your chest in the tuck jump. This reduces wind drag, allowing you to squeeze out a little extra height.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump at a moderate speed.
• Takeoff: Tuck your knees towards your chest as you lift off.
• In the Air: Maintain the tuck position to reduce drag.
• Landing: Extend your legs and prepare for landing.

Grab Some Air (Stale Fishgrab):

This classic trick adds a touch of style and helps with balance. Grab the seat of your bike with one hand between your legs while in the air. It’s simpler than it looks, we promise!

• Approach: Ride towards the jump with a steady speed.
• Takeoff: As you lift off, reach down and grab the seat with one hand.
• In the Air: Hold the grab briefly.
• Landing: Release the grab and land smoothly.

One-Handed Wonder:

The no-footer’s cooler cousin! Try holding the bike with one hand on the handlebars while airborne. This builds confidence in bike control and body position.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump balanced.
• Takeoff: Lift off and remove one hand from the handlebars.
• In the Air: Maintain a steady body position with one hand off.
• Landing: Place your hand back on the handlebars and land smoothly.

Can-Can Your Way to Fun:

Feeling playful? Extend one leg out to the side while holding the bike with the opposite hand on the handlebars. This “can-can” adds a touch of flair and helps with airtime awareness.

• Approach: Ride towards the jump with moderate speed.
• Takeoff: As you lift off, extend one leg out to the side.
• In the Air: Hold the can-can position briefly.
• Landing: Bring your leg back in and land smoothly.

Baby Steps to the Whip:

The whip involves shifting weight and steering to move the bike sideways in the air. Beginners can start small by leaning slightly and turning the handlebar in the desired direction for a mini-whip. Check out our guide on how to whip jumps here:

• Approach: Ride towards the jump at a moderate speed.
• Takeoff: Lean slightly and turn the handlebars in the desired direction.
• In the Air: Allow the bike to whip slightly to the side.
• Landing: Straighten out and prepare for landing.

Rollercoaster Rush:

Find a series of small jumps close together. Practice pumping your body and suspension to flow smoothly over the rollers, gaining airtime and control over smaller features.

• Approach: Find a series of small jumps close together.
• Takeoff: Pump your body and suspension over each jump.
• In the Air: Maintain control and flow smoothly over the rollers.
• Landing: Continue pumping to maintain momentum.

Level Up Your Tricks:

As you gain confidence, here are some additional beginner-friendly tricks to add to your repertoire:

180 Spin:

Land with the bike facing the opposite direction you took off in. Practice initiating the spin smoothly in the air.

• Approach the jump and initiate a spin by turning your head and shoulders.
• Pull up on the handlebars and rotate the bike 180 degrees.
• Land smoothly and roll out backwards, then practice switching back to forward riding.

Tire Grab:

Reach down and momentarily grab the front or rear tire of your bike while airborne. Focus on maintaining control and a balanced landing.

• Take off from the jump and pull the bike up towards you.
• Reach down with one hand and grab the front tire.
• Release the tire and grab the handlebars before landing.

No-hander (One-Handed Air, No-Handed Turn):

Take the one-handed air a step further by letting go of both handlebars for a brief moment. Practice with caution and ensure you can comfortably regain control before landing.

• Approach the jump with confidence and take off.
• Once in the air, pinch the seat with your knees for stability.
• Release the handlebars and extend your arms out.
• Grab the handlebars again before landing.

Tuck No-hander:

Combine the tuck jump with the no-hander for a stylish and challenging trick.

• Take off from the jump and tuck the bike into your body by bending your knees and elbows.
• Release the handlebars and extend your arms out.
• Grab the handlebars and untuck before landing.

X-up:

Twist your handlebars 180 degrees (cross your arms) while airborne. This trick requires good coordination and timing.

• Take off from the jump and pull up on the handlebars.
• Twist the handlebars 180 degrees while keeping your body stable.
• Untwist the bars before landing.

Manual:

Balance on the rear wheel for a short distance by pulling up on the handlebars and shifting your weight back. This is a great way to improve bike control and balance.

• Shift your weight back and pull up on the handlebars.
• Maintain balance by adjusting your body position and using your legs to absorb bumps.
• Practice on flat ground before attempting it on jumps.

Tips for Success

• Start Small: Begin with smaller jumps and gradually progress to larger ones as you build confidence.
• Wear Protection: Always wear a helmet, gloves, and pads to protect yourself from falls.
• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering these tricks. Dedicate time to practice each trick until you feel comfortable.
• Stay Relaxed: Keep your body relaxed and flexible to maintain control and absorb impacts.
• Have Fun: Enjoy the learning process and celebrate your progress.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Rushing the Tricks: Take your time to learn each trick step-by-step. Rushing can lead to poor execution and falls.
• Overcommitting: Start with small movements and gradually increase the intensity. Overcommitting can cause you to lose control.
• Improper Landing: Focus on landing smoothly by bending your knees and absorbing the impact. Practice timing your landings to avoid harsh impacts.
• Lack of Confidence: Believe in your abilities and approach each trick with confidence. Visualize success and stay positive.

Mastering dirt jump MTB tricks takes time, practice, and patience. By starting with these tricks for those new to jumping, you can build a strong foundation and progress to more advanced moves. Remember to stay safe, practice regularly, and most importantly, have fun!

With these tricks for those new to jumping under your belt, you’ll be launching off jumps and shredding the trails in no time! Did your favorite dirt jump trick make it onto the list? Let us know in the comments why it should be in the top 10 and which trick it should replace. Share your progress with friends, challenge each other, and enjoy the thrill of dirt jumping on your mountain bike.