BMX Trick
One-Hander
A one-hander is a BMX air trick where the rider takes one hand off the handlebars in mid-air and extends the arm, then regrips the bars before landing.
Updated 3 min read591 words
A one-hander is a BMX air trick where the rider takes one hand off the handlebars in mid-air, extends that arm, and then regrips the bars before landing. It is one of the first style tricks most riders learn, and it leads on to the no-hander, the tuck no-hander and many combinations.
Overview
In a one-hander both feet stay on the pedals and one hand stays on the bars. The free arm goes out to the side or back, often straight and relaxed. On its own it is a simple trick, but a clean, stretched one-hander held at the top of a big air still reads as stylish.
One-handers are also part of other tricks. Riders take a hand off to grab the seat, to tweak a tabletop, or as part of a superman seat grab. Learning to let go with confidence is a key skill for all of those.
How to do it
Start on a small jump or ramp you already ride smoothly.
- Ride in at a steady speed. Keep your arms relaxed and your cranks level.
- Take off cleanly. Balance is more important than height at first.
- Release one hand. At the top of the air, let go with one hand.
- Extend the arm. Move it out to the side or back. Keep the other hand firm on its grip.
- Hold briefly. Look at the landing, not at your hand.
- Regrip. Bring your hand back to the grip before the bike starts to descend.
- Land. Both hands on, both wheels together, knees bent.
Keeping the bars straight
With one hand off, the remaining hand has to stop the bars turning. Keep that wrist firm and your weight centred over the bike. Pressing slightly into the pedals with both feet also helps keep everything stable.
Variations
- Extended one-hander. The arm goes fully straight and out, held at the peak.
- Seat grab. The free hand grabs the seat instead of going out. See seat and seatpost.
- One-handed one-footer. One hand and one foot off together, usually just described as a one-handed one-footer or one-hand one-foot. See one-footer.
- One-hander to x-up. Let go briefly, then regrip with crossed arms into an x-up. Advanced.
- One-handed can-can. A can-can with one hand off.
- One-handed tabletop. Lay the bike over with one hand on. See tabletop.
- One-handed 360. Spin with one hand off. See 360.
Combination names are not standardised, and the same shape may be called different things in different scenes.
Learning progression
- Flat ground. Ride slowly and take one hand off for a second. Get used to steering with one hand.
- Small jump. Let go briefly at the peak and regrip.
- Extend the arm. Move the hand further away as it becomes automatic.
- Switch hands. Practise with the other hand.
- Combine. Once both one-handers and one-footers are solid, try them together.
Wear gloves and a helmet. Grips in good condition make the regrip easier. See grips.
Common mistakes
- Letting go too early. Leave the lip with both hands on.
- Weak remaining hand. The bars turn if the other wrist is loose.
- Late regrip. Put the hand back at the peak, not on the way down.
- Looking at the free hand. Keep your eyes on the landing.
- Leaning to the free side. Stay centred over the bike.
History
One-handed airs date from the earliest days of ramp and jump riding, and they are a common trick across BMX and freestyle motocross. There is no documented first one-hander. See freestyle BMX boom 1980s and origins of BMX.
Related tricks
Frequently asked questions about One-Hander
Which hand should I take off?
Use whichever feels natural. Many riders release the hand on the side they turn or spin toward, but there is no rule. Being able to do both helps with combinations later.
What is a one-one?
Some riders use one-one as shorthand for a one-hander combined with a one-footer. The name is informal and not widely documented, and the trick is more often just described as a one-handed one-footer or one-hand one-foot.
Is a one-hander the first step to a no-hander?
Yes. Releasing one hand teaches you how the bike feels with less control at the bars. Most riders practise one-handers until they are automatic before trying a no-hander or tuck no-hander.
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