BMX Term
Deck
A deck is the flat platform at the top of a ramp, quarter pipe or box jump, where riders stand to drop in, stall, plant or land tricks.
Updated 2 min read373 words
A deck is the flat platform at the top of a ramp, quarter pipe or box jump. It sits behind the coping, and riders use it to stand, start runs, stall and land tricks.
Meaning
Most ramps have three parts: the flat bottom, the curved transition, and the deck at the top. The deck is where riders wait their turn and drop in. It also gives a safe place to roll out if a rider goes too high or loses speed at the top.
The deck is part of many tricks:
- Stalls and plants. A rider can stall on the coping with the back wheel on the deck, or put a foot down in a footplant.
- Flyouts. On a flyout, the rider launches out of the transition and lands on the deck.
- Box jumps. On a box jump the deck is the flat top between takeoff and landing. Landing on it is safer than coming up short on a gap.
- Transfers. Some riders hop from one deck to another, for example across a gap between two ramps, or ride along the deck between a spine and a hip.
The edge where the deck meets a landing slope is the knuckle.
Origin
Deck is a general word for a flat platform, as on a ship or a timber patio. Skateboarders and BMX riders used it for the top of ramps from early ramp-building days. Its first use in BMX is not documented.
Usage examples
- "Wait on the deck until the ramp is clear."
- "I flew out and landed on the deck."
- "The deck on this mini is too narrow to stand on comfortably."
Building note
On a backyard ramp, a deck needs a safe, solid surface and enough depth to stand and roll out. Many builders add a rail at the back of high decks. See how to build a backyard ramp and follow the plans you are using.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about Deck
What is the deck of a ramp used for?
Riders stand on it before dropping in, rest on it between runs, and use it for tricks such as stalls, footplants and flyouts onto the platform.
How wide should a ramp deck be?
There is no fixed rule. Wider decks are safer because riders have room to stand, roll out and recover. Follow the plans for the ramp you are building and leave room behind the coping.
Related articles
Quarter pipe
A quarter pipe is a ramp with a curved, quarter-circle transition that rises from flat to a vertical or near vertical top edge, used for airs.
2 min readCoping
Coping is the rounded metal or concrete edge along the top of a ramp or bowl, used by BMX riders to grind, stall and transfer between surfaces.
2 min readDrop-in
A drop-in is the move of entering a ramp or bowl from the deck by tipping over the coping into the transition, or a drop from a ledge down to flat.
2 min readRoll-in
A roll-in is a sloped ramp or start platform that lets BMX riders roll into a park, ramp or jump line to build speed, or the act of rolling in itself.
2 min readFlyout
A flyout is a BMX ramp that riders roll up and launch off, flying out from the top of the curve and landing on a deck or flat area beyond it.
2 min readMini Ramp
A mini ramp is a small halfpipe, usually under about 2 metres (6 ft) high, with two curved walls, a flat bottom and no vertical section at the top.
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