Tricks as drills
A BMX is small, strong and responsive, which makes it a good teacher. Simple tricks on one are really exercises in balance, weight shifting and braking in disguise. Practised carefully, they can sharpen the same abilities that help on any bike. The point here is not to learn impressive moves but to use easy ones as drills.
These are risky skills. Falls are a normal part of learning to ride a BMX. A helmet and suitable protection matter, you should progress in small steps in a flat, traffic-free place, and nobody can promise that a method will lead to a landed trick or to freedom from injury. Anything involving flips, big jumps, spins or tailwhips is for trained riders at a skills park with qualified instruction.
Before you start
The bike. A BMX that fits you and is in good condition is more important than anything fancy. Fit matters more than specifications: you should be able to stand on the pedals comfortably and reach the bars without strain. BMX bike setup, such as bar height and brake lever position, changes how every drill feels, so adjust it carefully and see a bike shop if unsure. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The protection. A fitted helmet is the minimum. Many riders add gloves, knee pads, elbow pads and shoes with a flat, grippy sole. Choosing protective gear that fits well makes it more likely that you will wear it every time.
The place. A smooth, empty, dry surface such as a quiet car park or an empty basketball court is ideal, away from traffic and obstacles. Grass is useful for anything involving falls.
The check. Look at tyres, brakes, bolts and handlebar before every session.
Drill 1: standing on level pedals
Stand with pedals level, knees and elbows bent, head up. Roll slowly, shift your hips back and forward, then side to side. This is the neutral stance most tricks start from, and it is the base of a good attack position.
What it teaches: weight control, which makes you quicker to react on any bike.
Drill 2: slow rolling and holding still
Roll slowly along a line, then try to slow almost to a halt. A BMX is good for this because it is short and responsive. Turn the front wheel slightly and hold using a small pedal pressure. Put a foot down whenever you need to.
What it teaches: fine balance, and the confidence to ride slowly in tight spaces.
Drill 3: front-wheel lifts and small hops
Roll slowly, push your weight back and lift the front wheel a little, then set it down. Once that is comfortable, practise the second half: after lifting the front, push forward and bring the rear up. Doing this on grass is kinder, and a small target such as a chalk line is useful.
What it teaches: how to unweight the bike, which also helps with potholes, kerbs and roots on any ride.
Drill 4: braking and stopping
Practise stops from walking pace and gradually from a little faster, using the rear and front brakes together. Many BMX bikes have only a rear brake, and some have none, so check what yours has. Riding without brakes is not a drill and is not recommended in public places. Understand braking control before you add speed.
What it teaches: smooth stopping, which is a basic safety skill everywhere.
Drill 5: gentle turns and the figure-of-eight
Set out markers a few metres apart. Weave through them, then ride figures-of-eight. Keep your head up and look where you want to go. Cornering technique on a BMX is easy to feel because the bike is short.
What it teaches: steering, leaning and looking ahead.
Drill 6: manual practice, carefully
A manual is a balance on the rear wheel without pedalling. It is difficult and has a real risk of falling backwards. If you try it at all, do it only after the earlier drills feel easy, at slow speed, with protection, on a smooth surface and ideally with a coach nearby. The manual progression is slow and often takes a long time, and the time is better spent on other drills at first.
What it teaches: finding the balance point of the bike.
Drill 7: small steps and kerbs
Roll slowly off a kerb-sized step in a quiet place, with weight centred and knees soft. Do it only at very low speed. This introduces the basics of a drop without the risk of a high one. Tiny bumps are better than anything tall.
What it teaches: absorbing landings.
Putting it into sessions
A beginner session might look like this:
- Bike check and a gentle warm-up ride.
- Stance and weight-shift drill.
- Slow rolling and balance.
- Front-wheel lifts on grass.
- Braking drills.
- Figures-of-eight.
- A cool-down and a few notes on what felt better.
Repeat a few times a week if you can. Stop when tired, because tiredness is when many falls happen. A skills park lesson can accelerate things, since an instructor can see what you cannot feel.
What the drills give you
Used in this way, BMX drills tend to improve the general sense of where the bike is under you. That often helps on other bikes too, though effects vary between people and nothing here is guaranteed. If a drill feels too hard or frightening, go back to the previous step, or ask a coach.