Step downs

SPEED CHECK

Aim to go a shade faster than you would if you were bunnyhopping the same distance. The faster you go, the less you’ll need to pull up. Try some dummy runs before committing to get a feel for the speed.

PICK UP

As you reach the take-off, lean back and pull up. You’re aiming to keep the bike level as you fly – if you pull up too much you’ll be nose high, while if you don’t pull up enough you’ll be nose heavy, both of which can be tricky to control.

A D J U S T WEIGHT

Move your body weight back and forth to control the angle of the bike in the air –for best control and shock absorption you want the bike to be level with the landing.

STA B I L I S E

If you feel unstable from side to side, pinching the saddle between your knees helps stabilise the bike in the air.

STEPDOWN JUMPS

The step-down jump is very similar to jumping off a drop, and jumping into a bombhole. It’s one of the first forms of jumping that you’ll learn after mastering the bunnyhop, and helps you develop the skill to progress to other kinds of jumping. You’ll find step-downs out and about on most trails – and they’re not big and scary as the name might suggest. Most are small drops, with a bank that follows, making for a nice landing area. In time, as you hone your skill, you’ll be able to move on to bigger manmade options, which although intimidating, are fundamentally the same thing.

L A N D I N G GEAR DOWN

Spot the area you’re going to touch down in, extend your arms and legs to allow for maximum bump absorption, and to minimise impact to the bike.

T O U C H DOWN

Use your whole body to absorb the impact, while keeping your eyes focussing ahead on your run out.