Tailwhip

A tailwhip is kicking the frame a full turn around the front end of the bike while you hold the bars, then catching the pedals with your feet before you land. It is one of the tricks riders most want to learn.

What you need first

• A consistent barspin. It teaches the timing of throwing something and catching it in the air.
• Confident airs off a quarter pipe or jump, with enough height to stay in the air while the frame goes round.
• Being comfortable taking your feet off the pedals in the air.

In the video

• 1:03 Safety and preparation
• 1:39 Breaking down the move
• 2:20 Kick and rotation
• 4:08 Catching and landing

Step by step

1. Learn the motion on the ground. Stand next to the bike holding the bars and kick the frame round with your foot so it spins around the front end. Repeat until the kick and the catch feel natural.
2. Get height. Ride into a quarter pipe or jump, ideally into a foam pit or onto a resi ramp. You need time in the air.
3. Kick the frame. At the top, take your feet off the pedals and kick the back of the bike away so the frame starts to spin.
4. Hold the front steady. Keep a firm grip and keep the bars in front of you. The frame turns around the head tube, the bars stay with you.
5. Spot and catch. Watch the frame come back round and find the pedals with your feet.
6. Land. Feet on the pedals, bars straight, knees bent to absorb the landing.

Common mistakes

• Kicking too soft. The frame stops halfway round. Commit to the kick.
• Letting the bars turn with the frame. Hold them firmly in front of you so only the frame spins.
• Not enough height. If you are already landing as the frame comes round, go bigger or use a ramp with more lift.
• Catching late. Look for the pedals as the frame comes back, not at the landing.

Stay safe

• Wear shin guards. Spinning pedals hitting your shins is the most common tailwhip injury.
• Wear a helmet, gloves and knee pads too.
• Learn into a foam pit or onto a resi ramp before trying it onto a hard landing.
• If the frame does not come round, push the bike away and land on your feet.

More on gear and bailing on the safety page.

What’s next

Once you land tailwhips off a ramp every time, try them out of a bunny hop on flat ground, or combine one with a barspin. More Advanced tricks →