- So here are a few tips that are gonna help
improve your jumping, nearly immediately.
- Yeah, there's one really common mistake
when it comes to jumping, it means that people
can't make enough height to clear those jumps.
So we'll show you what that is and how to fix it.
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So this is the number one problem I've seen,
in all my years of coaching, when it comes to jumping,
and it's all about timing.
So a lot of people, when they hit the take off
and jump, the front wheel goes up into the air.
That's when they want to just launch the whole bike.
And you see people's hips go up and forward.
And often that means that the rear wheel
actually takes off a little bit early.
Or even if it doesn't, you're not just
using that take off for both wheels.
So, it's really a case of getting that timing right.
Launching your front and then your rear wheel.
Right, so let's diagnose a few of these
problems that you're probably having.
And that is, with clearing this jump.
So you probably think you're coming in with enough speed,
but you're not consistently clearing this table top.
So, this is where you have a good friend,
such like myself, with a mobile phone.
What you want to do is get a camera out, put it in video.
If you've got slow mo, that's even better,
'cause you can see that whole technique slowed down.
So, let's get this in line with the take off, go on.
Oh wow, okay, can see the issue already.
Alright Neil, look at this. - Was that a sweet jump?
- Kind of 'ish yeah, it's alright, see it in slow mo, look.
It looks like, you're coming in,
when you lift and look your back wheels kind of...
- It looks like I'm lifting the back wheel too early Blake.
- You are lifting it too early.
- Well I know how to fix this, and it's not on a jump.
So you need your front wheel to take off
at the very top of the up slope,
but also your rear, we've worked that out.
But to get that timing, the easiest way to practise it
is to find something on the floor like a stick.
Like this one I've found, or a rock or anything.
What you want to do, is use that bunny hop technique
that I always go on about, for jumping, for making height.
What you want to do is actually bounce your front wheel
off the stick, so do your manual bounce.
And then a lot of people who are going early,
will then try to lift the rear wheel,
and it will actually hop up and over the stick.
Let's imagine that stick is actually the top of the takeoff.
So you want your rear wheel to touch that stick as well.
So bump, manual, bounce your front wheel.
Now the hard part, you've got to pause for a split second,
with your hips down and back, wait, wait, wait,
as your rear wheel then hits the stick,
then stand up and forward to lift the rear wheel.
That's the timing that you need on a jump.
So that's the timing, it should feel like
pop, pause and then another pop.
So just leave your hips down and back,
until your rear wheel touches that log.
Don't worry about it leaving it too long to begin with.
You'll get the hang of it, and then take that
very same timing to the jump.
You'll be getting more height guaranteed.
- Right, so after a number of hours
of Neil practising that skill of jumping.
Out on the fire road, he's finally done it.
Take a look at this, he's coming in
with exactly the same speed, but he's clearing it
because his technique is different.
Just remember, pop, pause, pop.
The most important thing is, he's using his body weight
to bring that back wheel up.
What you don't want to do is this.
By curling your feet on the pedals
to bring your bike up into you,
you're gonna limit yourself.
Because you're gonna be in this crunch position.
And if you're gonna case, you've got
no where to bring that bike up anymore.
Where is, if you're in that other position,
you're ready for it.
You're in a body position like this,
and when you're gonna case, you can bring it up a bit more
into you to clear that jump.
There you go, he's finally done it.
Well done Neil, well done. (clapping)
- So there you go,
a few tips to help you improve your jumping.
Whoa, if you're struggling, keep watching this video.
But if you've got it, share it with your mate.
And if you've enjoyed it, give it a thumbs up, whoa.