How to Bunny Hop Higher

To bunny hop higher on a BMX, you need a bigger front lift, a stronger rear scoop and a tighter tuck. The front comes up through a quick, low manual style pull with your hips pushed back. The rear comes up when you push the bars forward and scoop the pedals back and up. Height then comes from pulling your knees and the bike up towards your chest before you level out and land.

This guide assumes you can already do a basic bunny hop and want more height and control.

The three phases of a hop

Every hop has the same three parts. Most height problems come from one phase being weak, so it helps to drill them separately.

Phase	What you do	Common fault
1. Front lift	Crouch, then throw your hips back and pull the bars up	Pulling with arms only, so the front barely rises
2. Rear scoop	Push the bars forward, point toes down, scoop pedals back and up	Jumping straight up, so the rear stays down
3. Tuck and level	Pull knees high, bring the bike under you, level the wheels	Landing before the bike has reached full height

Before you start

• Drop your seat. A high seat blocks your hips and knees. Slam it or angle it out of the way. See seat and seatpost.
• Use grippy flat pedals. Sharp pins and flat soled shoes help your feet stay on through the scoop. See pedals.
• Wear a helmet. Looping out backwards is common when you push the front lift harder. See the BMX helmet guide.
• Find smooth flat ground. A car park or flat section of a skatepark works well.
• Roll at a steady speed. A walking to jogging pace is enough. Too fast makes timing harder while you learn.

How to bunny hop higher, step by step

1. Ride with level pedals. Stand up, feet level, knees and elbows slightly bent.
2. Compress. Bend your knees and elbows and push the bike down into the ground. This preloads the tyres and your legs.
3. Throw your hips back. Explode up and back from the compression. Your hips should move behind the seat as your arms straighten. This is the same movement as starting a manual.
4. Lift the front high. Let your body weight pull the front wheel up. Aim for a lift well above a casual wheelie height before moving to the next step.
5. Push the bars forward. At the top of the front lift, push the bars forward and slightly up, as if pushing them away from you.
6. Scoop the rear. At the same moment, point your toes down and drag the pedals back and up. This is the scoop that brings the rear wheel off the ground.
7. Tuck your knees. Pull your knees up towards your chest and let the bike come up with them. Keep your arms bending so the bars come up too.
8. Level out. Bring both wheels level at the top of the hop.
9. Land and absorb. Push the bike back down, land both wheels together or rear slightly first, and absorb with your knees and elbows.

Drills that add height

Manual lifts

The front lift is a manual movement, not an arm curl. Practise rolling along and throwing your hips back to lift the front, then setting it down. Try to get the front higher each time while staying balanced. If you can hold a short manual, your front lift will improve quickly. A manual pad or flat ground both work.

Rear wheel hops

Roll slowly and practise lifting only the rear wheel. Lean forward slightly, point your toes down and scoop the pedals back and up. This builds the scoop without the front lift getting in the way. Many riders find the rear is their weakest phase.

Hop over a marker

Lay a small stick, a line of chalk or a low piece of foam on the ground. Hop over it. Raise the marker slowly as you improve. Use something soft that will not catch your wheel if you clip it. Avoid hard bars or bricks while learning.

Hop onto a curb

Hopping up onto a low curb teaches you to bring the rear up on purpose and land with both wheels on top. Start with something small and work up to taller ledges.

Tuck jumps off the bike

Jumping and pulling your knees to your chest on foot builds the movement and leg power behind the tuck. Squats and general leg strength also help.

Common faults and fixes

Fault	Likely cause	Fix
Front comes up, rear stays down	Not scooping, or jumping straight up	Drill rear wheel hops and push the bars forward at the top
Both wheels lift but only a little	Weak compression and small front lift	Compress harder and throw your hips further back
Rear wheel lands first every time	Levelling out too late	Push the bars forward sooner in the hop
Front wheel lands first	Rear scoop too strong or front lift too small	Lift the front higher before scooping
Looping out backwards	Hips go too far back with no push forward	Push the bars forward sooner, cover the rear brake if you have one
Feet come off the pedals	Toes not pointing down, or worn pins	Point toes down through the scoop and check your pedals
Hop drifts sideways	Uneven pressure on bars or pedals	Keep shoulders square and look straight ahead

How the bike affects height

Bike setup matters less than technique, but it still plays a part.

• Seat height. A low seat leaves room for your hips and knees.
• Bar height. Taller bars can make the front lift easier for taller riders. See handlebars.
• Rear end length. A shorter rear end is often easier to lift. A longer one can feel more stable when you land. See frame geometry.
• Weight. A lighter bike is a little easier to hop, but extra grams matter far less than timing.
• Tyre pressure. Very soft tyres can feel dead when you compress. See BMX tyre pressure.

Practice plan

Short, focused sessions work best. Spend around 10 minutes on manual lifts, 10 minutes on rear wheel hops and 10 minutes on full hops over a marker. Film your hops on a phone so you can see which phase is weak. Watching yourself in slow motion often shows the problem faster than feel alone.

Once your hop is high and level, it becomes the base for 180s, barspins, grinds and gaps. Learning to pump and use the shape of the ground will add height when you hop off lips and bumps.

Related

• Bunny hop
• Manual
• How to start riding BMX
• Pump