BMX Term
Hip
A hip is a BMX obstacle where two ramp faces meet at an angle, forming a ridge that riders cross diagonally in a trick known as a hip transfer.
Updated 2 min read399 words
A hip is an obstacle where two ramp faces meet at an angle. The meeting point forms a diagonal ridge, and riders cross it from one face to the other. This move is called a hip transfer.
Meaning
Most hips are built from two transitions that join at a corner, often 90 degrees but sometimes wider. The edge where the faces meet is the hip line, and it is usually finished with coping in the same way as a quarter pipe.
The rider approaches one face, goes up the curve, and travels over the corner. Because the faces are at an angle, the rider must turn the bike in the air or on the way up to land on the other face. In a standard hip transfer the rider ends up heading in a new direction.
The result is that a hip changes the shape of a park. Riders can link flowing lines that curve around the space instead of going in straight lines. It is a different move from a spine, where the faces sit back to back and the rider goes straight across.
Hips come in several forms. Some have two faces of the same size. Others have a high face and a lower face, which makes for a more technical transfer. Riders may also grind or stall on the hip coping.
Origin and usage
The hip is a long-standing feature in skateparks and BMX parks. The exact origin of the term is not clearly documented. The name may come from the hip of a roof, where two sloping faces join at a diagonal ridge, but that is a comparison rather than a confirmed origin.
Riders say "hit the hip", "hip transfer" or "hip session". In contest courses a hip is often used as a connecting element between larger features. Tricks include tabletops, x-ups and barspins. Riders also try to line up transfers with a spin or a no-hander.
Examples
- "I'm learning to do a hip transfer without losing my speed."
- "The hip in this park is awkward, you have to turn early."
- "She linked a hip into the spine and carried on down the line."
Related terms
- Spine: two quarters back to back.
- Quarter pipe: a ramp with one curved wall.
- Transition: the curved part of a ramp.
- Coping: the edge at the top of a ramp.
- Line: a run of tricks or obstacles linked together.
Frequently asked questions about Hip
What is a hip transfer?
A hip transfer is when a rider goes up one face of a hip, crosses the corner in the air, and lands on the other face. The rider turns as they cross.
Is a hip harder than a spine?
Many riders find hips trickier at first, because the rider has to turn and line up the landing at the same time. A spine is a straight crossing.
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