What Is Dirt Jumping?

Dirt jumping is a freestyle MTB discipline where riders gain speed on a dirt jump track, launch off packed-soil jumps and perform tricks in the air. A typical dirt line is shaped from hard-packed earth and built to help you boost smoothly and land with control.

What Bike Do You Ride for Dirt Jumping?

Dirt jumping requires purpose-built MTB dirt jump bikes. These bikes are compact, strong and designed to handle hard landings, fast takeoffs and technical tricks. If you want to learn more about dirt jump bikes and how they differ from other MTB setups, check our full guide here.

Elements of a Dirt Jump Track

A dirt jump track is made up of different features, each with a specific purpose.

Rollers are small mounds placed in a row. Riders use them to gain speed by pumping, which means generating momentum by shifting body weight instead of pedaling.

Tabletop is a jump with a flat top. You take off from the front lip and land on the backside or the flat section after the jump, depending on the track shape.

Double consists of two separate mounds with a gap in between. You take off from the first and land on the second. Doubles can vary in size and difficulty.

Racer is a smaller feature that helps you build speed and stay smooth before the next obstacle.

Berm is a banked turn built at an angle. It allows you to carry speed safely through corners.

What Is a Pumptrack?

A pumptrack is a dirt-style track and one of the best places to start learning dirt jumping basics.

It usually forms a loop or a figure eight and is built from rollers and berms. On a pumptrack, you ride without pedaling. Instead, you generate speed by shifting your weight forward and backward. As you roll down a mound, you push your weight forward. As you climb the next one, you shift toward the rear wheel. This pumping motion builds flow and speed.

Pumptracks are becoming more popular and can be found in many cities. They are used by BMX riders, scooter riders, skateboarders and even balance bike riders. It is a great way to improve coordination and balance.

Popular Dirt Jump Tricks

As you progress, you will see riders adding more style and harder tricks to their jumps. Here are some of the most popular dirt jump tricks:

Backflip is a backward rotation with the bike.

Frontflip is a forward rotation with the bike.

Tailwhip is when the bike frame rotates 360 degrees around the handlebars.

Barspin means spinning the handlebars 360 degrees in the air.

Whip is throwing the rear of the bike sideways in mid-air.

Bunny Hop is lifting both wheels off the ground at the same time.

Candy Bar is placing one leg over the handlebars in mid-air.

Can-Can is swinging one leg over the frame in mid-air.

Nothing means releasing both hands and feet from the bike in the air before grabbing it again.

Superman is holding the bars while extending your body backward with legs stretched out.

Why Dirt Jumping Is So Addictive

Dirt jumping combines speed, control and creativity. You start with pumping basics on a pumptrack, then move to bigger jumps and more advanced tricks as your confidence grows. With the right dirt jump bike and consistent practice, dirt becomes one of the most rewarding ways to ride.