How to Begin Flatland Tricks for BMX Biking

BMX biking has hundreds of tricks for you to learn. Many are only for the super-advanced rider and many are likely within your reach. However, you need to start somewhere. Double backflips over 50-foot gap jumps are not the place to start. Flatland tricks are. These are tricks done on flat ground. Learning how to do the basic flatland tricks will not only increase your confidence to move on to more difficult tricks but also will improve your technique and balance on the bike.

Things You'll Need

  • BMX bike
  • Flat pavement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get comfortable on the bike and learn its specific riding style. Start small. Pedal around the practice area making sharp turns, building up speed and braking with quickness. Don't even try any tricks. Adjust to the bike so you know how it rides and know its weight. Starting any tricks without this first could lead to injury.

    • 2

      Begin with the curb endo. Ride up to a curb at a slow walking pace. When your front tire hits the curb, throw your weight forward, un-weighting the back of the bike. The back wheel will come off the ground. Hold it as long as you can, then put your weight toward the back of the bike, bringing you to the ground.

    • 3

      Move up to the 180 Barspin. Do this trick while rolling in a large circle, counter-clockwise. Roll at a slow walking pace, and when you're ready, put your right hand, backwards, on your left grip. Spin the handlebars 180 counterclockwise using your right hand. Then repeat the process so that they are facing forward again. Start by doing this trick with your feet on the pegs and do a very small wheelie as you spin the handlebar so the front tire is slightly off the ground.

    • 4

      Try a handlebar ride next. Roll forward at a slow walking pace. Put your right foot over the handlebars and onto the right front peg. Then grip the seat with your left hand, keeping your weight back. Swing your left foot over the handle bars and onto the left front peg. Reverse the process to get out of this position.

    • 5

      Go for the bar hop. Jump over the bars, landing on your front pegs. Don't get your feet hung up on the bars by holding your weight up with your arms. You must lock your elbows, and tuck your knees to your chest. To get out of this position, follow the same movements as getting out of the handlebar ride in Step 3.

    • 6

      Attempt the pogo. Hopping tricks are a good way to learn how to balance on one wheel. To do a pogo, get rolling forward at a slow walking pace. Stand on your front pegs then slam on the brakes, resulting in a small endo. Immediately put on the back brakes and pull back on the handlebars, so that the bike is almost vertical. Start hopping. Remember to hop in the direction that you are leaning.