Why Jumping Feels So Hard and How to Overcome It

About the author: This piece was written by Mountain Biking Expert Michael Guilford from Ride About, a partner of adventuro.

Jumping a mountain bike looks easy when someone else does it — but for most riders, it’s one of the hardest skills to master. Unless you’ve spent serious time riding BMX, dirt jumps, or had MTB Coaching, chances are there are some gaps in your technique.

And that’s totally normal.

Jumping is less about brute force and more about nuance, timing, and understanding how to move with the bike — not against it.

Before you even roll up to a lip, give your bike a quick once-over. Make sure your tyres are firm enough roughly 25-30PSI for an adult.

Why Jumping Feels So Hard

Jumping isn’t a trick — it’s a precision skill. It may look like riders are yanking their bike off the lip, but in reality, they’re using a refined movement built over hours of repetition. Small errors in timing or body position lead to sketchy take-offs, awkward airtime, and those dreaded “dead sailor” moments.

The truth? Most riders don’t need more courage — they need better technique.

That’s why we highly recommend getting proper MTB coaching instead of relying on advice from mates or stitching together tips from random YouTube videos.

But to help you get started or sharpen your current form, here are some essential pointers:

Tip #1: It’s a Push, Not a Pull

One of the most common misunderstandings in MTB jumping is the phrase “you need to pull for it.” That’s a phrase advanced riders use but it doesn’t mean what it sounds like.
What you need to do if you are learning to jump is push through the takeoff.
This is where pumping comes in — the same technique you use on rollers and berms. Think of jumping as redirecting that pumping motion vertically. You’re pushing down into the lip to create pop, not yanking your bike into the air.
The mistake many riders make is absorbing the jump — letting the bike come up into them — which leads to inconsistent take-offs and a lack of control in the air.

Practice pumping on small rollers first. When you’ve got it right you’ll be able to gain speed over the section and feel smooth.

Tip #2: Find the Right Jumps to Practise On

Riders often say, “I’ve been practising on this jump I found in the woods.” And while local trails can be great, they’re usually not ideal for learning.
Instead, look for:
• BMX Tracks
• Pump Tracks
• MTB jump skills areas (at bike parks)
Why? These spots are usually purpose-built by experienced riders. They have predictable geometry, progressive lines, and they force you to get the technique right.

Tip #3: Focus on the Right Features

When you’re starting out or refining your technique, choose jumps that set you up for success:
• 1–2 bike-length tabletops
• 1 bike-length double roller jumps
These features are forgiving enough to safely learn on, but still demand precision. You’ll get instant feedback if you’re off — and a satisfying result when you nail it.

Avoid steep “kicker” ramps until you can confidently clear a low-angle lip. Kickers exaggerate any timing error and often send beginners nose-high. A long, mellow transition — roughly two bike lengths of ramp for every one of height — is far better for honing technique.

Tip #4: Film Yourself

One of the fastest ways to improve your jump game is to record yourself. What you feel in the air often doesn’t match what’s really happening.
By watching yourself — and comparing to skilled riders — you’ll start to notice subtle but crucial differences: body position, timing of the push, bike angle, etc. Tools like Coach’s Eye (external) or just a smartphone and a mate can work wonders.

Place the camera side-on at bar height, about 5 m back from the lip, so you can see the compression, pop, and landing in one continuous shot. If you have access to 60 fps or 120 fps slo-mo, even better — freeze the frame at the moment both wheels leave the ground and check whether your shoulders are still centred over the bottom bracket.

Tip #5: Dial In Your Landing

• Match your bike’s angle to the downslope. A slight forward push of the bars combined with heels-down will bring the front wheel down smoothly.
• Absorb with arms first, then legs. Think “soft elbows, firm knees” so the rear wheel follows without kicking.
• Pump the backside of the landing. This not only stabilises you but also helps carry speed into the next feature.

Tip #6: Protective Kit and Weather Checks

• A lightweight full-face helmet and knee pads are worthwhile once you move beyond green-line tabletops.
• Gloves with silicone fingertips improve grip when you’re sweating or it’s drizzling.
• Wind is the hidden enemy of jump practice. Anything over 15 mph gusts makes timing unpredictable; either wait it out or switch to a sheltered line.

Final Thought: It’s a Skill, Not a Trick

Jumping isn’t about “sending it.” It’s about riding it — using deliberate technique to get airtime that feels clean, smooth, and repeatable.
So don’t rush it. Find the right features, get quality coaching, and treat it like any other riding skill: one built through practice, feedback, and progression.

You can book coaching with me in the Peak District here.