BMX Term
Hammer
A hammer in BMX is slang for a very hard or impressive trick, and throwing a hammer means landing one in a session or on camera.
Updated 2 min read392 words
A hammer is a very hard or impressive trick. To "throw a hammer" is to go for one, and to "land a hammer" is to ride away from it.
Meaning
The word is about difficulty and commitment, not about a fixed list of tricks. A hammer can be a tough combination, a trick done on a big rail or gap, or a basic trick done in a way that looks nearly impossible. What counts depends on the rider and the spot. A line that is routine for a pro might be a hammer for a rider at a local park.
Hammers are usually tied to risk. If a trick could end badly, and the rider goes anyway, riders tend to call it a hammer. The word often carries respect. Calling someone's trick a hammer is a compliment.
A hammer is not the same as an ender, which is the last trick of a video part. An ender is usually a hammer, but plenty of hammers appear in the middle of a part. A hammer is also different from an NBD, since a hammer does not have to be new.
Origin and usage
The exact origin of the term is not well documented. The word is also heard in other board and bike sports, so it is not unique to BMX. In BMX it is part of everyday spoken slang and shows up in captions, comment sections and video edits.
It works as both a noun and a verb. People say "that was a hammer", "he threw a hammer" or "hammers all day". The plural is common when talking about a rider's style, where "just throwing hammers" means they keep landing hard tricks one after another.
Riders also say "huck" for going for something big, and "send it" for committing. These overlap with hammer but focus on the attempt rather than the trick itself.
Examples
- "He rolled up to the rail and threw a hammer first try."
- "That session was nothing but hammers, everyone was filming."
- "It looked sketchy the whole way, but he held on and landed the hammer."
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about Hammer
What does throwing a hammer mean in BMX?
It means attempting or landing a trick that is difficult, big or high risk. The rider is going all in on something that most people in the session would not try.
Is a hammer always a new trick?
No. A hammer can be a well known trick done on a huge obstacle or in a harder way. A new trick that has never been landed is usually called an NBD instead.
Tags:slangriding culture
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