Unleash Your Inner Shredder: How to Whip Jumps Like a Pro on MTB Downhills

Whipping a jump on your mountain bike isn’t just about looking cool (although, let’s be honest, it looks awesome). It’s a stylish technique that allows you to shift your weight and momentum for better control on descents and navigate technical sections with more flow.

Ready to add some extra flair and control to your downhill riding? Here’s your step-by-step guide to mastering the whip on your MTB:

How to Whip Jumps on MTB:

Build a Strong Foundation

Before you start whipping jumps, ensure you’re confident with the basics:

• Master the Basics: Ensure you can perform a standard jump with proper form and control, including understanding takeoff, airtime, and landing. Know how to manage your speed and trajectory to achieve consistent and controlled jumps. Be comfortable with the amount of airtime you get, ensuring you’re not over-jumping or casing, and consistently hit the jump with the right speed. Once you can execute jumps smoothly and confidently, start aiming for the perfect whip by building on these fundamentals. Check out our guide for how to jump on mtb.
• Develop Bike Control: Focus on improving your bike handling skills, especially when you’re in the air. The more comfortable you are with your bike, the easier it will be to execute a whip.

Choose the Right Jump

Select jumps that match your current skill level to practice whips effectively:

• Tabletop Jumps: These are perfect for practicing whips due to their flat top, making them more forgiving if your landing isn’t perfect.
• Moderate Height: Opt for a jump that provides sufficient airtime for executing the whip without being too daunting. This allows you to focus on technique without the fear of a high-stakes landing.

Approach the Jump

• Speed and Control: Approach the jump with a controlled speed that you are comfortable with.
• Body Position: Get into the attack position – knees and elbows slightly bent, and weight centered over the bike.
• Look Ahead: Focus on the takeoff and your landing spot.

Setting Up the Whip

• Carve the Transition: As you approach the lip of the jump, initiate a slight turn with your handlebars in the direction you want the bike to lean (usually away from the direction you’re facing). This carving motion, similar to turning on flat ground, sets you up for the whip. By taking off with a pronounced carve, you create the momentum needed to whip the bike effectively in the air.

Takeoff

• Preload the Suspension: Compress your suspension by pushing down on the bike as you approach the lip of the jump.
• Explosive Lift: As you hit the lip, extend your legs and arms to lift the bike into the air.

Initiate the Whip

• Rotate the Hips: As you leave the lip of the jump, start rotating your hips in the direction you want to whip. For example, if you’re whipping to the right, rotate your hips to the right.
• Turn the Handlebars (Turnbar): Simultaneously, turn the handlebars in the direction of the whip. This helps initiate the bike’s sideways movement.
• Shift Your Weight: Lean your body slightly in the direction of the whip. Your bike will follow the movement of your hips and shoulders.
• Combine Movements: For the ultimate whip, combine the rotation of your hips (lower body) and the turn of the handlebars (upper body) into one smooth, solid motion.

Extend the Whip

• Push the Rear Wheel: Extend the whip by pushing the rear wheel out with your legs while keeping the front wheel relatively stable.
• Control the Angle: Adjust the angle of the whip based on your comfort level and the jump size. Start with small whips and gradually increase the intensity as you gain confidence.

Prepare for Landing

• Bring the Bike Back: As you start descending, pull the bike back underneath you by reversing the movements. Rotate your hips and handlebars back to the center.
• Level the Bike: Ensure your bike is level as you approach the landing. Always point your wheel in the direction of the trail to straighten the bike.

Land Smoothly

• Absorb the Impact: Use your arms and legs to absorb the impact of the landing. Keep your knees and elbows slightly bent to act as natural shock absorbers.
• Stay Balanced: Maintain a centered position over the bike as you land and roll away.
• Brace for Sideways Landings: If you’re landing sideways, brace for impact by pointing your front wheel in the direction of the trail. This helps to straighten up the bike and whip you back into line.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering MTB Whips

• Start Small: Begin with smaller jumps to get a feel for the whip motion before progressing to larger jumps. Building your confidence and control on smaller features will set a strong foundation for bigger whips.
• Use Body English: The whip relies heavily on using your body to control the bike. Practice shifting your weight, turning your handlebars, and moving your hips to master this technique.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Dedicate time to practicing whips in a safe area with rollers or small jumps. Experiment with carving, weight shifts, and counter-leans to find what works best for you.
• Feel the Suspension: Pay attention to how your bike’s suspension reacts as you preload and whip. Understanding your suspension’s response will help you refine your technique and find the sweet spot for smoother whips.
• Visualize the Sequence: Visualize the entire whip sequence—carving, weight shifts, and counter-leans—before attempting it. This mental rehearsal can help you execute the whip more fluidly.
• Don’t Overcook It: Subtlety is key. A controlled whip with slight weight shifts and counter-leans looks smoother and is easier to manage than an exaggerated lean. Aim for finesse over force.

Common Whip Mistakes (and How to Fix Them):

Using Only Half the Whip Technique

• Mistake: Relying solely on the turnbar without engaging the hips, or vice versa.
• Fix: Combine both techniques—turn the handlebars while simultaneously rotating your hips for a balanced and controlled whip.

Leaning Too Far

• Mistake: Excessive leaning, resembling a superman pose, can cause loss of control and sketchy landings.
• Fix: Focus on a controlled weight shift and counter-lean to maintain balance and control.

Not Preloading Suspension

• Mistake: Skipping the preload phase results in a lack of energy absorption, potentially leading to a nose-heavy landing.
• Fix: Preload your suspension by compressing it just before take-off to harness the energy for a smooth whip.

Forgetting to Straighten Up

• Mistake: Holding the lean for too long can lead to over-whipping, resulting in sideways landings.
• Fix: Straighten up the bike before landing by pointing your front wheel towards the direction of the trail to realign the bike.

Not Carving the Approach

• Mistake: Neglecting to carve before take-off means missing the essential setup for the whip.
• Fix: Practice carving turns on flat ground to perfect the motion before attempting it on jumps.

Coming in Too Slow

• Mistake: Approaching the jump without enough speed can hinder your ability to execute the whip.
• Fix: Ensure you have sufficient speed to carry you through the whip and back to a controlled landing.

Over-Rotating

• Mistake: Over-rotating the whip can make it difficult to bring the bike back for a smooth landing.
• Fix: Start with small whips and gradually increase the rotation as you gain confidence and control.

Ignoring Landing Technique

• Mistake: Poor landing technique can lead to hard impacts and loss of control.
• Fix: Absorb the impact with your arms and legs, keeping your knees and elbows bent, and maintain a centered position over the bike.

Unleash Your Inner Shredder: Whip Jumps Like a Downhill Pro! (And Share Your Epic Fails!)

Tired of vanilla jumps? Add style and control to your downhill riding with the MTB whip! This guide unlocks the secrets, from building a strong foundation to mastering the perfect whip.

Ready to conquer technical sections with flair? Learn how to:

• Carve the approach for a smooth setup.
• Rotate your hips and handlebars in perfect coordination.
• Push the rear wheel out for a stunning whip.
• Land smoothly and stay in control.

But mastering the whip isn’t just about flawless execution. We’ve all been there—the overcooked lean, the unexpected superman impression (hopefully not off the bike!).

Here’s the real challenge: Share your funniest whip attempts (or triumphs!) in the comments below! Did you pull off an insane whip on your first try? Maybe you went for a gravity-defying pose that ended…differently?

Let’s build a community of shredders who laugh, learn, and conquer jumps together! Share your whip stories, inspire others, and maybe provide a chuckle or two. So grab your bike, conquer your fears, whip those jumps into submission, and share the story!