Have you ever watched BMX riders fly into the air and thought, “How do they even do that?” Today, we’re going to break it down step by step in a simple and practical way.

We’ll start from the basics and slowly build up to more advanced moves. With patience and practice, we can all improve together and enjoy the excitement of BMX riding.

Building the Foundation: The Bunny Hop

We begin with the most important move—the bunny hop. This is the foundation of many BMX tricks. We ride while standing slightly above the seat, keeping about 15 cm of space between the body and the saddle. Our knees and elbows stay slightly bent to maintain flexibility and balance.

Next, we make sure our feet are firmly placed on the pedals. This helps us control the bike better and makes lifting easier. Before jumping, we push the front wheel slightly downward, then quickly pull up the handlebars to lift it. After that, we use our legs to lift the rear wheel.

At first, even a small jump of 15 cm is great progress. With more practice, we can jump higher and stay in the air longer. Always land with the front wheel first and keep the body relaxed to maintain control.

Finding Balance: Learning the Manual

Once we are comfortable with the bunny hop, we move on to the manual. This move is all about balance. We start by keeping the pedals level and lifting slightly off the seat.

Then, we shift our weight backward and gently pull up the front wheel. The goal is to keep the front wheel about 30–45 cm off the ground. It’s not about speed—it’s about control.

To stay balanced, we adjust our body position continuously. If we lean too far forward, we shift back slightly. If we lean too far back, we move forward a bit. With practice, we can ride longer distances on just the rear wheel.

Turning Smoothly: Mastering the Fakie

The fakie is a backward riding technique that helps us turn smoothly. We practice this on a gentle slope. We ride up slowly, then let the bike roll backward while lightly pedaling in reverse.

As we move backward, we turn the handlebars in the opposite direction of where we want to go. For example, to turn left, we turn the handlebars right.

We keep the movement slow and controlled. Once we complete about a half turn and face forward again, we straighten the handlebars and start pedaling normally. This move takes time to feel natural, but it’s very useful for linking tricks together.

Adding Style: Practicing the Barspin

Now comes a stylish move—the barspin. Before trying it while riding, we practice safely by holding the bike steady and lifting the front wheel slightly.

We use one hand to push the handlebars into a spin and let them rotate freely. As the bars spin, we prepare our other hand to catch them smoothly. Timing is key here. We don’t grab too early or too late.

After practicing many times, the motion becomes natural. When we feel confident, we can try adding the barspin during a bunny hop. The trick is to start the spin early in the air so we have enough time to complete it before landing.

Putting It All Together

As we improve, we begin to combine these moves. A bunny hop can lead into a barspin, and a landing can flow into a manual. This is where BMX becomes truly exciting—we create smooth and creative sequences.

At the same time, we must always focus on safety. Wearing a helmet is essential. It protects us and allows us to practice with confidence. Progress may feel slow at times, but every small improvement matters.

Keep Practicing and Enjoy the Ride

Lykkers, BMX is not just about tricks—it’s about persistence and fun. Some moves may feel difficult at first, but with regular practice, they become easier. We all start somewhere, and every rider improves step by step.

So next time you get on your bike, try one small move and build from there. Stay patient, stay focused, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of the ride. We’re all improving together!