Motocross Tricks

Motocross tricks are rarely done on the race tracks. Since spectators love cool tricks and big air, Freestyle motocross became a no-brainer. This incredibly dangerous sport consists of taking motocross bikes off of large ramps skyward and manipulating the position of the rider and cycle in various ways. None of these tricks should be performed without the proper supervision and facilities.

Basic Freestyle motocross tricks require just a little air. The idea for some of the more insane tricks came from basic motocross tricks:

Can Can- this motocross trick involves bringing one leg over to the opposite side of the bike and kicking while keeping the other foot on the peg and both hands on the handles.

Fender Grab- The rider reaches forward and touches the fender while in the air.

Look Over- this involves getting big air, sliding out of the seat into a near-superman position with one hand on the handle and the other on the back of the seat while looking perpendicular to your landing area.

No Footer- while in the air spread both feet to the side while jumping off of the seat a little.

No Hander- the rider holds the bike with his/her feet and spreads both hands in the air.

Nothing- let the rider's body move with the bike as both hands and feet are removed from their places.

One Footer- A one footer is performed by lifting one leg in midair from its peg and raising it in the air.

One Hander- Lift one hand from the handle and hold it until right before landing.

The next category of tricks will be called Advanced Tricks. These motocross tricks require even more manipulation of the riders body along with crazy bike orientation. Here are some Advanced motocross tricks and a short description:

Bar Hop/Dead Body- rider puts all of body over the front of the bike while holding the bars and keeping body oriented with the bike

Candy Bar/Saran Wrap- this motocross trick is done by kicking one leg up, in between both hands that are holding the handlebars.

Heel Clicker- bring both feet in front of the rider and hitting them together while holding on to the handle bars. This motocross trick can be added to other tricks that involve bringing the riders feet in front of the handlebars.

Nac Nac- as the rider hits the jump, the bike is whipped sideways and the front leg is removed then brought back around the back side of the bike.

No Footed Can Can- Both feet are perpendicular to the direction of the bike, both off of the pegs.

Superman- rider lets go with both feet and kicks them straight back while holding the handlebars.

Superman Seat Grab- same as the last trick except done without holding the handlebars the seat is grabbed instead to increase extension.

Stale Fish/Saran Wrap- done by bringing one leg up through both of the arms while the other is kept on the outside.

Whip/Table Top- bike is whipped sideways as rider is going into the air and the bike becomes horizontal before being repositioned for landing.

The last section of motocross tricks in this article will list and give descriptions of some of the most difficult tricks to pull off. These tricks are insanely difficult and when you watch them performed you think to yourself "that rider is insane". Therefore this section will be named Insane tricks. Most of these tricks require bodily inversion or something else completely crazy like free floating. Do not try these motocross tricks.

Back Flip- this is exactly as it sounds. The rider pulls off one vertical rotation before landing.

Cordova- while in the air, the rider removes feet from pegs and lurches body forward catching feet on the underside of handlebar while keeping hands on handlebar.

Hart Attack- like the superman, but legs are perpendicular to the bike as opposed to parallel.

Helicopter- body is inverted and legs bent, spread and body rotated to give the effect of helicopter blades.

Indian Air- this motocross trick can be added to many leg tricks, it is when a rider extends his legs and then crosses them in a scissor motion.

Lazy Boy/Coffin- These motocross tricks involve reclining back on the bike with the rider's feet kicked forward. The only difference is the coffin has the rider's hands on the handlebars while the lazy boy requires that the riders hands are back behind the head.

McMetz- Both feet in front of handlebars and between both hands grabbing the bars.

No Handed Lander- exactly as it sounds. Hands spread apart when landing. Beware, this could be painful on one's 'nether region.'

Rock Solid- this trick is like a superman seat grab except when extended, the rider lets go of the seat and spreads arms to the side. The rider and the bike are flying in mid-air without touching.

Tsunami/Kiss of Death- this is like a hand stand on the front handlebars. The kiss of death differs from a tsunami in that the bike is intended to go vertical, and the rider pushes the bike back to horizontal by pushing on the front fender.

That concludes this list of Freestyle motocross tricks. This list is not exhaustive while at the same time new, even crazier tricks are being created every day. This is just a guideline for when you watch freestyle motocross tricks on TV or in person, you know what kind of tricks are being pulled off and the difficulty level of each. For pictures and additional information on motocross tricks check out the web sites being cited. Wicked!

720 Ice, Extreme Sports Resource. 2006. 720ice.com. 17 Oct. 2006 http://www.720ice.com/motocrosstricks.htm.

Freestyle MotoX. 2006. Fmxschool.com. 17 Oct. 2006 http://www.fmxschool.com/freestylecontents.htm.