Steep-Faced Jumps | MTB Skills: Practice Like a Pro #25

Why do steep-faced jumps feel so much harder?
In this episode, Jason helps @linnearooke start getting rid of old habits that become even more pronounced as the jumps get bigger and steeper.
1. Your body should remain perpendicular to sea level; handlebars will move toward your body
2. Drive your knees forward into the face of the jump
3. Hold compression (through your feet) until the rear wheel leaves the lip
Want to learn more? Check out the full episode (18:06) on fluidrideonlin...
🎥 Filmed and edited by Kyle Ilenda
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ABOUT LINNEA ROOKE
Linnea has been racing locally in the pro category, but until this year she had almost no formal training and was held back by major gaps in her technique. While she was able to carry speed well on straight downhills and high-bermed turns, she lacked foundational cornering skills and was timid in the air. In Feb 2020, she met up with Fluidride to help with a filming trip in Baja, and was fascinated by Simon's teaching methods. Wanting to be part of this mission, she left her career in healthcare in July 2020 to officially join the Fluidride team as COO. We started filming this series to document her journey of cleaning up bad habits, adding new skills to her toolkit, and chasing her dream of riding with style.
Linnea rides for Evil Bikes: www.evil-bikes...
ABOUT JASON GAINEY:
Recently joining the Fluidride team, Jason is an accomplished enduro racer in the PNW. Following many years in BMX and dirt jumping, he picked up mountain biking at age 39 and was soon bringing home pro podiums in enduro! His experience in multiple disciplines also brings a uniquely fun and playful style to his riding.

[@tagzedawg]

Wow. Jason broke down the cause of the jump OTB in a way that it's finally crystal clear to me.

[@willber318]

This is by far the best explanation I’ve ever heard. It’s literally what no one has ever told me.

[@jurgentrockenbau9321]

@@willber318 Same here! These guys really show and explain what you need to know. And they explain the physics aspects behind all that in a way everyone can understand. Reall good!👌🏻

[@mtbbusiness1917]

couldn't agree more. very helpful in the way of over thinking and positioning

[@vanlaurren]

@@willber318 r

[@insanebmxthomas]

@@willber318 can confirm. not enough people talk about this. I have 20 yrs of bmx experience, bought a 180mm enduro recently, and i never would've suspected that i needed to preload my suspension. First day of riding i followed my friends into 3 tables at high speed, made it through beautifully, even landing a touch farther on the 2nd to superboost the 3rd. So glad i read about that before i got the bike.

[@pinoylowbudgetproductions7290]

There is no apology needed for having fun. Best line I've heard today👌

[@pinchpeak5203]

I can tell she has anxiety haha Relatable

[@Altabird_666]

knee over the toe to pump the bike! best explanation I heard so far! great instructor!

[@chudy4337]

The amount of realisation that hit me watching this was overwhelming, absolutely amazing breakdown and clear and detailed information, quality content

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much for the great feedback - we appreciate you watching! -Linnea

[@shellderp]

Jason's riding is so smooth and confident, would love to get to that level one day

[@Fluidride]

Yeah...me too! -Simon

[@zomambik]

The 30 seconds from 3:40 to 4:10 is GOLD.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much for watching! 🤪 -Linnea

[@dzkilnd]

For real! That explains a lot of what I've been seeing!

[@dyounggolfmaster]

Thank you for finally clearing up whether you should compress the front fork with your hands. It totally makes sense, that if done properly with knees over toes, compressing the pedals will also compress the front.

[@jzabala56]

Yes! This was also iluminating for me. It allows you to relax the arms and not tilting the bike in the air by pulling on it

[@cycloboyriley]

So push down into bars with arms as well as push down with legs?? I find I pull up on the bars and I can land uneven.

[@sambernstein8513]

​@@cycloboyriley only through the feet, nothing through the arms.

[@SecondHalfofLife]

Good coaching! This was a super helpful breakdown for an older novice rider looking to add jumping into the repetoire. As others have said the explanation of why people go over the bars was super helpful. I think I can hold the idea of weight forward knees over toes and press into the jump.

[@ButterSuspension]

Best product logo placement! Thanks for the support!

[@samledversis9474]

this channel is incredible...

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Yep absolutely. This vid clearly concisely covers all the key points better than any other single vid I’ve watched on the subject. Kudos to the instructor, student and camera work.

[@KEVSTR]

YES! Exactly what I needed! Had my biggest crash this year hitting a steep jump and letting my fear “squash” the jump shifting my weight back and getting “bucked” off. This helped me understand what I did wrong and what I need to do next time. Thank you!

[@deanchipchase966]

Searched and searched for how to jump videos but most are very vauge on the actual technique required , This is the most clear explanation by far! +1 subscriber !

[@predathor696]

At his age, he jumps like a young kid... effortlessly... damn 🤟🏽

[@Fluidride]

Well he's still a kid! Kidding but he does have style for miles! -Simon

[@MTB_Nephi]

Age ?Not important🤷

[@flow2tech]

@@MTB_Nephi This ... Passion over rides age!

[@danasprey4144]

Thank you so much for this. Jumps are my absolute nemesis. I've never known about the knee and toe combo with perpendicular body. mega.

[@scrutch666]

For me as a beginner it was a revelation at black diamond park with that one progressive atm line that the steep lips are actually the easy ones. I certainly let just physics work at such lips and just dont f around with changing position . My biggest problem was always that i contracted on fast steeper ju,ps. I think top poppin tops at raging is a good training ground since you can approach this small tables very fast if you want

[@johnsplendido3556]

Great video. I was in complete agreement when Linnea said “that makes so much sense.” Your explanation helped tie together why it’s so important and the cause and effect of not staying over the pedals. It helped me visualize the physics. I do have a question as to what it means to “hold the compression.” Step one you’re driving knees forward keeping them above pedals. Step two your body and legs straightens staying perpendicular to sea level. Step 3 - Does holding the compression mean not bending your knees (not absorbing or squashing the jump)? The three of you really do a great job. Thanks.

[@paulwintermute1495]

Think of it like pressing you bike into the face of the jump. Holding your compression simply means keeping that firm pressure all the way off the lip rather than soaking and squatting last second. When done right you will feel completely balanced and relaxed while in the air freeing you to add style and even tricks.

[@johnsplendido3556]

@@paulwintermute1495 Thank you

[@johnsplendido3556]

@The MTB Wizard Thank you

[@zvonkorajher687]

Keep your body perpendicular to sea level and knees over toes is such a big revelation. It finally makes sense to me know. Hopefuly this will reduce amout of crashes on a big jumps 😅. Awesome video😁

[@RydenDirty]

I enjoyed watching this and learning something. My cryptonite is is steep faced jumps. I dont know why I have such a mental block on steep faced jumps

[@jzabala56]

Thanks so much! I've watched countless videos of the type "do a bunny hop on the way up", which I just wasn't skilled enough to put into practice, and that only got me close to dead sailoring. But after carefully watching this lesson, I think I got it, and after putting in practice the instructions I feel today I had a small breakthrough in my jumps. Again, thank you!!

[@whiskyo]

This is a great explanation. On a DJ, I can complete jumps safely and correctly using the bunnyhop/penciling technique, but different people giving me instruction that conflicts lately (saying it’s all in your arm pump VS leaning back) has been frustrating and unhelpful. Neither focus works correctly or effectively. So, I’m excited to try this focus of knees over toes while utilizing my arms to create pressure and get my weight back-with the goal of boosting the jump. Probably easier said than done, but I’m feeling pretty good about it.

[@tomd1826]

Damn, that part about keeping knees and toes aligned, and why... explains a lot, and has probably saved me in advance from likelihood of jump OTBs (long-time roadie converted to MTB this year). Awesome tip!

[@riffmeisterkl]

So smooth and so much pop...slow speed too...

[@oliverbourne9599]

Awesome. I swear so many people get this wrong including me. Speed and clearing jumps can give you a 'false' impression of your jumping ability. I'm sure somewhere in this technique lies the reason I can't boost height on jumps. Nice reinforcement of why video of your efforts are so important as well

[@thecapeisout]

You are probably not fully committing to pumping through the face of the jump. @6:13 you can see how his legs are almost completely locked out as the rear tire leaves the lip of the jump. That is where his boost is coming from. Once your front wheel leaves the lip, you should be pulling the bars into your hips like a bunny hop/jhop. That will help pull your front end up into a steeper arc.

[@GOTCHAPARK]

Wow ,watch till the end and see the " super boost " same speed but man did he "BOOST " . Good job coach and I wish I was riding with you guys ,I could learn alot from both of you ! Thanks for taking the time time to make and post these videos .

[@roddas26]

Knees over toe's. Game changer. Can't wait to go practice this weekend. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@jmains]

That was AWESOME. Jumps scare me…I’ve always had this morbid fear of being launched into space but watching videos like this help me see that gravity is really pretty consistent lol and helps the bike come back down in the order in which it’s launched. I’ve got to practice!

[@markrickert1437]

Exactly the video that I needed to work on my jumping. Kudos for the crystal clear explanation and coaching. Great progression from her in such a small time frame. Thanks for this awesome video!

[@Fluidride]

This is such kind feedback - thank you. I'm happy it resonated! -Linnea. (and I'll let Jason know 🤪)

[@bikeninja956]

the whole vibe of this video is weird and strange but so damn helpful, clear and informative. After a bazillion contradictory videos about jumping, out of now where, David Spade and some girl with a full face, made everything make sense...

[@Fluidride]

Well, I think Jason would be the first to admit he's not traditional. One hell of a coach though, and an amazing jumper. I'm happy to know it was helpful! -Simon

[@bikeninja956]

@@Fluidride yeah, 100% new subscriber here. There's so many good tid bits in here, so clear and professionally presented. I can't wait to put them into practice. Your channel is SOOO GOOD! can't wait to watch more!

[@Fluidride]

@@bikeninja956 Thank you. It's been a labor of love for sure. You've got lots more to watch, but if you run out, more videos are available online at www.fluidrideonline.com. It's free for a week so it's easy to check out at no charge. (over 60 hours of content - about $8/mo). Al the YT stuff is there and a ton more. It's morning here in France. I'm off to film more content for you at Vallorcine, near the Swiss border! -Simon

[@bikeninja956]

@@Fluidride ok, thanks for that info. Hands down one of the best on YT in my opinion. Keep it up!

[@rodaddison4843]

This video has really help my jumps, I'm 50 years old and now clearing tabletops 🤟 thank you

[@tomnridesYTB]

Super clean and clear! Also thanks for finally dropping “preloading” and switching to “compressing”. The former could be understood as “before loading” meaning “unweighting”, opposite of your intention.

[@hobby_cycling729]

huge value for everybody trying to understand fundamentals of whole trying to jump "thing",. For me is very hard to go through mental part of jumping and stop to fear of what´s comming, but what helps me is to build it step by step, again and again on the same jump and scale it up when I feel that I start to enjoy it and not to fear about jump it self anymore. I am still in begging but contend like that, really helps me to understand key part and try it on the trail.

[@Fluidride]

Yes, having something to anchor on that is not fear based is hugely helpful. I'm not a natural jumper, so I rely on these techniques to keep me out of my head, especially when I'm feeling intimidated. -Simon

[@HoofnIt03]

I am a total beginner and love the sound effects! 😁 They are fun and happy! I am loving these videos. Thank you!

[@kiwicami287]

Staying perpendicular to the ground is a tip i rarely see when riders teach new people how to jump, Stand up to the jump! :)

[@Fluidride]

Yeah, best way to jump well is to stand up (or stay perpendicular to sea level). The sea level and not the ground you are on is the key to standing up on a jump. -Simon

[@bisontebison6262]

"literally the point is to have fun" best quote to say to someone starting in mtb

[@nadurtha8536]

Wow such a brilliant explanation of jumping. "Knees over toes", so subtle but important!

[@Fluidride]

Ah yes we love this saying! It applies to so many riding techniques too. Thanks so much for watching! -Linnea

[@TCK71]

Great video, super progression. You've got to hand it to her, she has balls!

[@jonathanbrookshire4915]

Awesome video. Good job on improving your jumps so quickly. After watching it, I think I would mention one more take away, in addition to the 3 you gave. And that's not absorbing your momentum with your legs by bending your knees at the instant your back wheel gets air born, which I would mention, you also improved on in the video. Thanks again and keep 'em coming!

[@SunSnowGravity]

I will have to film myself. Definitely the best way to progress because this tutorial describes all that has to be done!

[@jameshutchins8584]

I can’t thank you enough for your simple to Understand instructions, all your videos are incredible and the tip of knees over toes as I approach a jump has massively improved my technique and helped avoid dead sailors along with conquering the mental block of progressing to doubles. Thank you🤟🏽

[@insanebmxthomas]

Jason you are one of those naturals man. You're boosting like nobodies business, super stylish

[@SonnyCrisini]

finally makes sense ! thank you! and love the little sneak of Simon! as usual smooth and so useful!

[@namewastaken360]

This channel does very well at clearly delivering simple points. I agree that a lot of other videoes talk about compressing and then moving back to bunny hop from the lip. Just getting the simple version down is really valuable.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful feedback - we appreciate it!

[@antaltieri7154]

That explanation of why keeping weight back on compression is VERY BAD makes evvvverrrythging makes sense! Thanks!

[@theonlyDougBlack]

the breakdown with the subtitles was immensely helpful!!! Thanks for this, really good info!!!!!!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching!! And we’re stoked it’s helpful for you

[@davesmtbadventures5712]

Best explanation of the OTB I've ever heard 👌

[@juanpiantino9182]

Wow... the front/rear wheel arch explanation is spot on... Now I want to go hit some jumps!

[@poolboy3000]

Great explanation! Also, she crushed it!

[@elissacummings9108]

I have searched all over for detail videos and seen so many of mountain bike coaching not sure how I missed you guys. So good!

[@Fluidride]

We're glad you found us Elissa, welcome aboard!! 🥳 - Coach Kagen

[@jman6373]

Really good tips here. The most helpful to me was "body should stay perpendicular to sea level." I find it slightly tougher on jumps that have a downhill approach. I need to transition from being more rearward on my bike on the downhill approach to getting centered on it just before the launch and then pushing straight up, which basically places you "forward" relative to the bike as it rides up the face of the launch. I think the "body perpendicular to sea level" tip is a way of thinking of where your weight should be rather than thinking how the bike is positioned relative to your body in these three different down hill, level and uphill scenarios.

[@golfmck]

Yeah that makes the dynamics of the jump a lot easier to understand now, great stuff 👍👍

[@harzenduro]

Holy cow! This is a veeeery good explanation @3:50 thanks! Just what I needed.

[@user-mm3sw6co4c]

Just bought myself a nice $220.00 mountain bike at walmart. It's a little more money than I wanted to spend but needed a shredder bike. It's my first suspension bike. Cant wait to start sending monster jumps like these. Thanks for the video bud!

[@MichaelWilliams-qk9rm]

Thank you for the detailed videos. Been using them to get my confidence back after a 5 year layoff due an accident where I separated my shoulder hitting a jump that i came up short on. 😂 it sucked but after watching and applying your lessons to my practice sessions im getting my aggressive nature back and attacking a trail instead of just riding it.

[@Fluidride]

Love hearing this. Glad you are back...like REALLY back. So cool. -Simon

[@Bari_Khan_CEng_CMarEng]

Great tutorial and video

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

You are an excellent teacher.

[@w33k3ndbiker]

Great video and very good and simple tutorial on jumping technique! 5 weeks into a broken collarbone injury and still have some time ahead of me but looking forward to climbing back on the saddle. Keep up the good work

[@roboneill4888]

Best explanation ive seen great vid 👌

[@Fluidride]

Awesome! Jason will be psyched to see this! -Simon

[@pauls3616]

Great video as always. Love to see the progression. I squash the bigger jumps but it is easy to see how knees over the toes make it safer than having the hips back. Thank you.

[@paulwintermute1495]

Sometimes you have to squash jumps of you are going to fast for the size of the gap. If your speed is right then getting that nice pop feels so much better and controlled.

[@scottnormand5858]

Great video with solid instruction. Always had the dead sailor problem to contend with and this clearly shows how not to die on these steep faces🙏

[@geanixgeanix7108]

Very helpful tutorial, mind opening breakdown. Thanks & keep'em coming!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for the awesome feedback!

[@Ridesmoothbrother]

Wow. One of the best jump vids out there

[@riderseyemtb]

Jason! Excellent coaching and feedback. The biggest thing I see students do is not stepping into the jump and backing away.

[@joecasalena8263]

You guys nailed that explanation! Thank you!

[@zsomborhegyesi7925]

These lines look sooo much fun!!!!

[@seanfsweeney]

Nice work you guys, great review for how to ride steeper stuff 👌

[@nl3712]

This guy is a REALLY GOOD COACH! Subbed

[@andyashla]

Great video guys. Thanks!

[@derrickkampfer3131]

Watching this makes me miss Washington so much. I lived there for 5 years and Duthie was one of my main spots. I saw you guys out there all the time and now I regret never signing up for a course.

[@Fluidride]

I hope you have the chance to return and hop on a bike!! It's only getting better here, and so many new trails popping up all over. Tiger and 27 have really taken off!

[@Matzkovina]

Damn! Finally got it! Thanks a lot!!! I will be finally able to help out my friends and improve too! cheers from Germany 🍻

[@Fluidride]

We love hearing this - and it's so great when riders can improve with their friends and help each other too. Cheers from Seattle! -Linnea

[@kentao4]

I love these videos. I’m getting back into off-road biking and wish I had someone to walk me through stuff like this so I can progress faster!

[@destinhook3826]

What a good video, love her progression

[@charlesrobinson6444]

04:05 - Now I know why I OTBed on my last big jump... XD thanks guys & keep up the great vids. I can't believe that it wasn't that long ago that @linnearooke broke her collar bone!

[@ArmTheCreative]

Love you guys! Great content! Great vibe.

[@reverentalexanderchezeley-6367]

Brilliant. Thanks guy's.

[@MTBZenMaster]

This was a great video! Would love a part two. maybe tips on how to get the timing right. many people move their bars around in the air, i heard its good for timing, but how do you get to that motion?? Thanks!

[@Fluidride]

Bar movement in the air is all about not using the arms to jump. Jumping should be done from the legs, which will leave the arms - and entire upper body relaxed in the air. This is how riders are able to create style. Hope this helps! -Simon

[@markhardegon]

Great teaching and showings how important your feet are I new they played a role but not sure how much so thanks

[@willienillie6337]

I will try this lesson out tomorrow. I've been doing exactly what Linnea was doing.

[@Fluidride]

You got this Willie Nillie! How'd it go? - Coach Kagen

[@willienillie6337]

@@Fluidride It went well. I think I need more practice to turn this process in muscle memory so I don’t have to think about how to each time I go off on a ramp. Also need to built more confidence because the higher I go, feel like I’m going crash coming down.

[@bikedadmtb7253]

Great instructor! Linnea is rocking it.😍 Can't wait for spring here up north to be able to practice all this techniques.

[@bebright15000]

Excellent video! It's great to see you doing this Gainey! Successful at all you do my friend :)

[@richardbarton7]

Impressive and big help for me again, many thanks

[@jasonupson]

Knees over feet is gold!

[@Fluidride]

It's changed everything for me this year... I'm happy it's helping you too! -Linnea

[@Thirteen31Music]

This is really helpful thank you. Also credit it to lady rider here for pushing to bigger scarier jumps. Takes guts 👍

[@Fluidride]

We're so happy it's resonating! And thanks for the kind words too! -Linnea

[@rossg964]

This man knows his stuff

[@Fluidride]

Jason is an awesome coach and an incredible jumper! - Coach Kagen

[@cebubikebootcamp]

I totally agree to this, my explaination to my trainees here in Cebu Philippines is, just do an English Bunny Hop on all kinds of jump and your good.

[@cebubikebootcamp]

I forgot we have no lean back policy

[@henrym5908]

3:40 good to see at least a few other riders try to get this info out there. too many give the generally terrible advice of "lean back to get your front wheel higher" which, as you say, is likely to do the opposite as seen in PB Friday Fails videos. I've been saying it for years and commenting such under said videos since at least early 2020.

[@laynebrannon9129]

Great video, your a great teacher!

[@garrickpridemore413]

I cant wait to ride with Linnea and have so much fun on the trails after were married!!

[@WWulf]

Brilliant explanation. Thx for that.

[@Fluidride]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🥳 - Coach Kagen

[@snaggletooth555]

What a moustache. 💪 Great video, some really great pointers.👍

[@cryx4]

i find it kinda interesting how coaches explanations of techniques like jumping differ. I've done a few sessions and was told to extent out and forward above the bike after compressing into the lip, whereas y'all teach to 'stay perpendicular and let the handlebars come up' which looks exactly the same but is worded wayy differently. kinda cool!

[@g.fortin3228]

Loved watching the learning curve and progression and really good instruction ! Really super channel here for those of us starting to learn more skills to mix it up from regular trail riding.

[@cgmorais]

Best jump video yet! Wish I had something like this 3 years ago when I messed up my shoulder OTB! Thank you Jason/Fluidride!

[@squirrelsmovingpictures]

i would be so happy for a day of personal instruction like this, lol, so awesome :) this video is def going to help me, thanks :)

[@2wot]

Very good video, cheers from a french mtb instructor👍👍

[@IndialanticRob]

Thank you as well

[@Fluidride]

Thanks for watching!

[@RonnRider]

Loved this one guys! Thank you🙏🏾👍🏾

[@ts122231]

great stuff. main thing i understood is, stay always over your bike during the air phase. great job

[@Fluidride]

If there is one overall takeaway, that's it!

[@ericthebikeman8559]

Y'all are super informative. I didn't know that I needed to learn this stuff

[@juluisreyes9094]

This is more like dirtjump/free ride..hehe..nice one

[@Father_Tyme]

Great episode, very helpful for those poppy jumps. I have the online subscription for the site and this is a great series. Complements all the other content really well.

[@Fluidride]

Thanks Chase, it's a labor of love for sure. Thanks for subscribing to our online school as well! We are hard at work to make all our content even more complimentary. Stay tuned!