BMX Flips: A 7-Step Guide to Mastering the 360 Degree Rotation
Mastering a BMX 360 isn't just a thrilling achievement; it's a rollercoaster ride full of excitement and determination!
Iremember the electric rush from my very first successful spin, and trust me, it's worth every ounce of hard work. It'saddictive, and I can'twait for you to experience it too!
But don't be fooled - it won't be a walk in the park, and you might need to take a few tumbles (okay, maybe more than a few!) and pick up a few scrapes along the way.
But believeme, the euphoria of landing your first flawless 360 makes it all worth it.
You're certainly not alone on this ride! I've been right where you are, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way,as I wish someone had done for me.
Step
So grab your helmet, protective gear, hop on that bike, and get ready to dive headfirst into the world of 360s with me.
Description
Why Master a BMX 360?
Learning a 360 on a BMX bike isn't essential for every rider, but it does offer numerous benefits to those aiming to advance their skills, explore a wider range of riding experiences, or compete.
Safety first
Here are some reasons why mastering the 360 is valuable:
Wear the right protective gear (helmet, pads, gloves, etc.)
- Skill Progression: The 360 is a cornerstone trick in BMX. Once you've got it down, you'll unlock the door to an array of other advanced tricks and combos. It's a natural progression from learning the basics like bunny hops and 180s.
- Versatility: BMX riding often requires a diversetrickset, especially in park and street settings. The 360 is a versatile stunt that can be employed on various obstacles, from ramps to flat ground, and even integrated into other tricks.
- Personal Satisfaction: There's an enormous sense of achievement involved in nailing your first 360. It's a challenging trick, and conquering it can be a personal milestone for many riders.
- Flow & Style: BMX is as much about style as skill. The 360 can add flow to your line, allowing you to maintain momentum, switch directions seamlessly, and link up effortlessly with other tricks.
- Overcoming Fear: Learning a 360 teaches riders to confront and conquer their fears. This mental strength can be applied to other aspects of BMX and life.
- Physical Fitness: The motion of a 360 requires coordination, strength, and balance. Putting in the time and effort to perfect the trick can boost these physical attributes.
In short, while no trick is truly essential in BMX, the 360 delivers a wealth of benefits, such as boosting technical skills and providing personal satisfaction.
Warm-up
The Ultimate Guide to Landing a BMX 360
Avoid injuries by warming up by riding your bike & doing 180s
Step 1: Safety First
First things first - safety! Wear the right protective gear: a BMX helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, shin guards, and gloves. Ensure your bike is in good condition, with no loose parts. Opt for a park or skate park setting with smooth surfaces and soft landings.
Visualize
Step 2: Warm Up
Watch videos & investigate how other riders pull a 360 (body movement, head position, etc.)
Avoid injuries by warming up your body through physical exercises and riding your bike. Spend some time practicing bunny hops, 180s, and 360 body rotations on flat ground to prep your body for the main event.
Step 3: Visualize Your Success
Initiate the spin
Watch videos of experienced riders executing 360s, paying close attention to their body movement, head positioning, and the way they initiate the spin. Use this motion as a blueprint for your own technique.
Moderate speed, crouch down, carve, pull up for a bunnyhop & turn your head & shoulders in the direction of the spin
Step 4: Initiate the Spin
- Speed: Start with a moderate pace, not too fast or slow.
- Approach: Crouch down a little, preparing for a bunny hop.
- Head & shoulders: As you start your jump, turn your head and shoulders in the direction you want to spin. Your body follows where your head leads. You also need to carve a little (more than for a 180) in the direction of your rotation.
- Hips: Rotate your hips in the same direction as your head and shoulders.
Mid-air movement
Step 5: Mid-Air Movement
Pull the bike underneath you for a faster spin & don't forget to keep looking in the direction of the spin
- Tuck: Pull the bike up underneath you by bending your knees. The more compact you are, the faster you'll spin. Once you pull your bars closer to your body, you should also bring your legs closer to your body. If you don't do this, you may end up doing a tailtap, or land awkwardly on your rear wheel.
- Look: Keep looking over your leading shoulder throughout the spin. This is the most crucial part of any spin (180, 360, 540, etc.).
- Bike control: Use your hands and feet to control the bike's rotation. If you need to spin faster, tuck in more. Extend a leg or arm out if you need to slow down the spin (this is typically necessary only when you have more airtime, not when learning 360s).
Step 6: Master the Landing
Turn your head!
- Spot your landing: As you approach the final quarter of the spin, start looking for where you are going to land.
- Prepare to absorb: Bend your knees, preparing to absorb the impact.
- Stay centered: Keep your weight centered over the bike.
- Roll out: If you've over-rotated or under-rotated slightly, use your momentum and continue rolling in the direction of the spin (you can see this in the video above, where I over-rotated a few times).
This is one of the most important steps of every spin (180, 360, 540, ...)
Step 7: Keep Practicing!
Expect to practice this move repeatedly to get the hang of it. I don't remember exactly how long it took me to land my first 360, but I do remember that it took me forever. And I was the happiest when I landed a 270 out of a bunny hop.
Landing
Bonus Tips
Spot the landing, bend your knees to absorb the impact (keep your weight centered over the bike)
- Start on a ramp or hip: A small ramp or hip can give you more air time, making it easier to complete the 360.
- Start with carving: Turning slightly into the spin before you hop can help initiate the spin more easily. You want to carve a little more than for a 180.
- Adjust your weight: Shifting your weight back slightly can help get the nose of the bike around quicker.
Progress and Take On the Next Challenge
Practice
As you become more comfortable, you can practice on different terrains, increase your jump height, or even integrate tricks into your 360s. Remember, everyone progresses at their own pace. Stay patient, practice consistently, and prioritize safety.
The more you drill 360s, the more dialed they will become
If possible, have an experienced rider or coach give you feedback to help speed up your learning process. Or, reach out to me via the contact form on our website or hit me up on Instagram!
The Countdown to Mastering the 360!
And there you have it, BMX rookies! From the initial safety precautions to the heart-stopping moment of mid-air rotation, the journey to mastering the 360 is an adventure to remember.
Remember, the fun is not only in landing the trick but in the process of learning, practicing, and never losing the spirit of adventure.
So, keep riding, keep spinning, and always keep that spirit of adventure alive!
Let's gear up, hit the park, and turn the world upside down together!
1.Training in BMX sports requires dedication and overcoming challenges; it's inevitable to experience tumbles and pick up scrapes while learning new tricks.2. Mastering the BMX 360 is immensely rewarding, offering benefits like skill progression, versatility, personal satisfaction, improved flow and style, conquered fears, and enhanced physical fitness.
