WebreaderShopNewsletterTop dealers & workshops

No more fearHow to jump drops correctly

Laurin Lehner

 · 12.01.2018

No more fear: how to jump drops correctlyPhoto: Lars Scharl
No more fear: how to jump drops correctly
Dropping is the most adrenaline-fuelled form of mountain biking. The only problem is that an MTB drop goes against the basic human instinct. To lose the fear of free falling, the right technique helps.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about fear-free dropping on a mountain bike:

Know what to expect: The be-all and end-all at the beginning: find a good drop to learn. This means: a maximum of 0.5 metres with a long, wide landing with a slight incline. The approach should be long and free of obstacles so that you can concentrate on the drop alone. Before you start, go to the edge and take a close look at the jump and landing. This gives you confidence. The saddle is fully lowered.Photo: Lars Scharl Know what to expect: The be-all and end-all at the beginning: find a good drop to learn. This means: a maximum of 0.5 metres with a long, wide landing with a slight incline. The approach should be long and free of obstacles so that you can concentrate on the drop alone. Before you start, go to the edge and take a close look at the jump and landing. This gives you confidence. The saddle is fully lowered. Approach: Experience shows that many drop novices approach too slowly. So: with momentum! Shortly before the edge, the crank position is horizontal - this brings calm to the approach. Legs and arms are slightly bent. Your eyes are focussed on the edge. | Wrong: If you're afraid, you'll approach hesitantly. Probably the most dangerous and most common mistake when dropping. | Wrong: Tensing up - consequence: loss of controlPhoto: Lars Scharl Approach: Experience shows that many drop novices approach too slowly. So: with momentum! Shortly before the edge, the crank position is horizontal - this brings calm to the approach. Legs and arms are slightly bent. Your eyes are focussed on the edge. | Wrong: If you're afraid, you'll approach hesitantly. Probably the most dangerous and most common mistake when dropping. | Wrong: Tensing up - consequence: loss of control Droppin In! As soon as the front wheel rolls over the edge, you stretch your legs and arms dynamically. At the same time, your centre of gravity moves backwards and upwards. Result: The front wheel becomes light. The more determined the stretch, the more you prevent a nose landing. Don't get scared: Now it's time to go down! | Wrong: Leg and arm extension too weakPhoto: Lars Scharl Droppin In! As soon as the front wheel rolls over the edge, you stretch your legs and arms dynamically. At the same time, your centre of gravity moves backwards and upwards. Result: The front wheel becomes light. The more determined the stretch, the more you prevent a nose landing. Don't get scared: Now it's time to go down! | Wrong: Leg and arm extension too weak Airtime: What follows now is free fall. If your stretch impulse was balanced, you will be sailing with both wheels almost at the same height. Important: a central position on the bike. Your eyes are already focussed on the landing. Tip: Bend your legs and arms slightly again. This prevents you from stiffening up in the air. | Wrong: Stiffen up. Consequence: leanPhoto: Lars Scharl Airtime: What follows now is free fall. If your stretch impulse was balanced, you will be sailing with both wheels almost at the same height. Important: a central position on the bike. Your eyes are already focussed on the landing. Tip: Bend your legs and arms slightly again. This prevents you from stiffening up in the air. | Wrong: Stiffen up. Consequence: lean Landing: To land, extend your legs and arms like aeroplane landing gear. This allows you to absorb the impact energy by flexing your limbs as you land. Ideally, you will land with both wheels almost simultaneously. Rear-heavy or particularly front-heavy landings can lead to problems, especially on higher drops. Photo: Lars Scharl Landing: To land, extend your legs and arms like aeroplane landing gear. This allows you to absorb the impact energy by flexing your limbs as you land. Ideally, you will land with both wheels almost simultaneously. Rear-heavy or particularly front-heavy landings can lead to problems, especially on higher drops.
1 The ant drop: Even if the technique for the drop is simple, it still has to work. That's why it's worth practising the leg and arm extension movement on small edges. The goal: Find the ideal stretching impulse. A good barometer: The sooner both wheels are at the same height during the drop, the more balanced the jump was and the better the timing. Very important: The saddle is fully lowered!Photo: Lars Scharl 1 The ant drop: Even if the technique for the drop is simple, it still has to work. That's why it's worth practising the leg and arm extension movement on small edges. The goal: Find the ideal stretching impulse. A good barometer: The sooner both wheels are at the same height during the drop, the more balanced the jump was and the better the timing. Very important: The saddle is fully lowered! 2 Not like this! Important: The stretching impulse must harmonise with the approach speed. If you start slower, the leg and arm extension must be more impulsive. If, on the other hand, you start faster, the impulse may be lower.Photo: Lars Scharl 2 Not like this! Important: The stretching impulse must harmonise with the approach speed. If you start slower, the leg and arm extension must be more impulsive. If, on the other hand, you start faster, the impulse may be lower. If you have messed up the jump, you will sink into the depths with a nose landing or tail-heavy. Both must be avoided, as high drops often lead to a fall.Photo: Lars Scharl If you have messed up the jump, you will sink into the depths with a nose landing or tail-heavy. Both must be avoided, as high drops often lead to a fall. 3 Determination is everything! Willpower is just as important as technique when dropping. If you hesitate, you lose. Watch the landing carefully. This helps with the approach, because you often only see the landing at the last moment. You also know what to expect. Clear branches and obstacles from the landing and check the run-out. You should be determined before you set off. Tip: Talk to yourself, it really helps! Because it can prevent anxiety. And fear has been proven to have a negative effect on movement coordination.Photo: Lars Scharl 3 Determination is everything! Willpower is just as important as technique when dropping. If you hesitate, you lose. Watch the landing carefully. This helps with the approach, because you often only see the landing at the last moment. You also know what to expect. Clear branches and obstacles from the landing and check the run-out. You should be determined before you set off. Tip: Talk to yourself, it really helps! Because it can prevent anxiety. And fear has been proven to have a negative effect on movement coordination.
Stefan Herrmann: "The good thing about the drop: the technique is super simple. The bad thing is that you have to get it right and use it at the right moment - otherwise it hurts. Whether it's a 1-metre drop or a 5-metre drop, the technique remains the same."

Driving technique expert Stefan HerrmannPhoto: Lars Scharl Driving technique expert Stefan Herrmann


Interview with Stefan Herrmann riding technique expert: "I'm fascinated by how you can master even high drops with the right technique and mental strength."

How do you like this article?


Why is it worth learning the MTB drop?
Many drops appear on trails. The move is therefore not just a manoeuvre of courage, but an important trail riding technique. Thanks to the drop technique, you don't have to dismount on steps, but can keep the flow going.


What is important for the drop?
On two things: determination and technique. Technique is easy. Most people struggle with determination.


Sounds simple. So why do so few people dare to try the manoeuvre?
Because people are afraid. And rightly so! The consequences can be very painful. You can only lose your fear through self-confidence. And that only comes when you have the right technique. It's actually quite simple.


Meaning?
Practise, practise, practise. Practise the drop technique on every kerb. Once the timing is right and the movement is dynamic, you can try higher steps. Important: only climb slowly. In 20 cm increments, for example. Many people want too much, too quickly. That's not a good idea. Delusions of grandeur are punished with pain.


What mental tricks do you recommend?
Internalise the movement pattern. Go through the sequence again and again. Also good: run through the jump on foot several times. Speaking well also helps. Once you have the technique down: be confident in yourself!


You can read this article or the entire BIKE 10/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:


Read in the Apple App Store
Read in the Google Play Store
Order in the DK-Shop

Laurin Lehner

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

Home

Most read in category Training