1. No Excuses
BMX is a dangerous sport and responsible riders wear the proper gear. No one can race for money or prizes without this gear. While the sport attracts a level of risk-averse athletes who tend to the extreme in all they do, the ABA works to make the sport safe and family-friendly so that everyone can enjoy the thrills without fear of cheating or interference. Insurance at the skateparks is determined by the standards that they enforce. A rider may even be disqualified from a competition if he does not wear the proper safety gear.
2. Keep Your Bike Sharp
For the best results, use the right kind of BMX bike for jumping. While you can jump a freestyle or basic BMX, the best bike made for continuous and hard jumping is a dirt jumper. They are made to do just that, jump over things. The jumper BMX bikes are a cross between a basic and a freestyle BMX. They combine the lightweight materials with a sturdy construction. These bikes are good for larger riders because they usually come with 24-inch wheels. Make sure the bike and the wheels are in good condition before you take it out. Check them every time you go out riding. You may have bent something in a fall the last time you were out and it will affect your tricks if you didn't notice. Do a walk-around each time you take your bike out.
3. The Right Posture
Each kind of jumping scenario requires a different posture on the bike. If you are approaching a hill that is too high to speed jump over, then you'll need a little preparation to make the jump safely. Stop pedaling as you approach the bigger hill and tuck your elbows into your side. Rise up from the seat when you get to the top of the hill and keep your elbows tucked close to your body. Keep your head low. Lean back as you land and adjust your weight to keep the bike straight. You'll enjoy a safe landing and be able to keep on pedaling. If you're doing a speed jump, you'll need to maintain a lot of the same posturing, with your shoulders a little closer to the handlebars. Lift your front wheel up as you approach the ramp. Another common jump is the hop where you push down and use the momentum of the push to life your bike totally up in the air. Make sure that you land your front wheels first to avoid a bad fall.
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