Like recent years, X Games Austin will mainly focus around three major sports, skateboarding, BMX and moto – with RallyCross and Stadium Super Trucks mixed in as well. It might be a lot to learn, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Next up, is the second biggest X Games sport – BMX.
The characteristics between skateboarding and BMX tricks are quite similar, though grinding isn’t as prevalent on two wheels. BMX mainly focuses more on either air or ground moves.
It all starts with the most basic of tricks, the bunnyhop. It’s basically BMX’s version of the ollie, when a rider jumps the bike into the air from flat ground. The other starting trick is the wheelie, which is when a rider lifts front wheel off the ground while pedaling. From these two, most anything is done.
In the air, riders have a lengthy list of tricks to add to their combination. Here are a few moves that you’ll likely see over the weekend in Austin:
· Frontflip and back flip – fairly obvious moves, we think
· Superman – removing both feet and extending outwards to resemble Superman in flight
· Barspin – spinning the handlebars 360-degrees while in flight
· Tailwhip – throwing the bike out to one side 360-degrees while holding the handle bars
· Toboggan – taking one hand off the bars and grabbing the seat before returning hands
· Can Can – brining a foot over the bike to the other side
While you won’t see grinding during the vert competition, it will come into play – and be an important part of the scoring evaluation – for BMX Street and BMX Park. It can help extend a trick or simply be a building block, leading into a smaller air trick. The number of grinds might be small but there’s only so much you can do with the pegs – here are the essentials:
· Double Peg – grind with both front and rear pegs on the same side
· Icepick – back peg only, front wheel and peg are balanced in the air
· Smith – front peg on the surface, back tire on the surface
· Feeble – back peg on the surface, front tire on the surface
· Crooked – position bike so each wheel is on either side, grinding on opposite pegs
As for flatland, there might be a few less tricks in total, but it’s essential for making some disgusting combinations. These tricks offer the rider a chance to get fairly creative and to take the trick from one spot to the next. These are some of the most popular flatland tricks:
· Manual – basically the same as a wheelie, only the rider doesn’t pedal
· Pogo – putting the bike in the vertical position and hopping on the rear wheel
· Footjam – placing foot between forks and tires, stopping and balancing back tire airborne.
· Hang-5 – a nose manual with one foot on the front peg and the other dangling
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
