Freestyle Motocross ✅ FMX Tricks, History, Basic Technique

How freestyle motocross grew out of motocross racing

The roots of FMX lie in motocross racing: whoever had won liked to show a spectacular jump on the finish-line jump, such as a Whip, in which the rider tilts his bike sharply to the side in mid-air. Because the crowd loved it, such stunts were gradually built into the races as a show element.

Over time, freestyle motocross became more and more professional and the tricks ever more daring, until individual riders specialised entirely in this discipline. Dedicated FMX events emerged, such as the Red Bull X-Fighters, and a world championship, the FIM FMX World Championship, which includes for example the Night of the Jumps in Basel. Freestyle shows also remain a fixed part of the programme at supercross races such as Supercross Geneva.

FMX and motocross racing: two different sports

Almost all FMX riders originally come from motocross. Because the bikes and riding technique in both sports have developed at a rapid pace, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up at the front in both at the same time. Skiing is a good comparison: alpine ski racing and freestyle skiing make completely different demands on the athletes, just like motocross and FMX.

Whenever people do the judging, likeability, home advantage and subjective impressions play a part – in freestyle motocross that is simply part of it. In motocross, on the other hand, it is ultimately the clock or the order in which the riders cross the finish line after the mass start that decides.

FMX: acrobatics over a fixed ramp with a set radius

Motocross: fast lap times and consistency over the whole distance

FMX: scoring by a jury or the audience

Motocross: clear ranking by time or finishing order

FMX tricks and what happens in the air

FMX tricks are constantly being developed further. The best-known include the Backflip, Frontflip, Double Backflip, triple Backflip, Whip, Cliffhanger and Nac Nac. Today you see jumps at the shows that hardly anyone could have imagined a few years ago. The riders keep working on new variations.

The trajectory is already set at take-off: acceleration, rider position and the radius of the ramp determine how the bike flies through the air. During the flight, the position can still be corrected with the throttle and rear brake. Behind this is the law of inertia: accelerating or braking the spinning rear wheel triggers a counter-movement, and the bike rotates in the opposite direction to the wheel.

Basic technique for FMX: Motocross training at the MX-Academy

Every trick builds on the same basic techniques as motocross. Letting go in the air or a complicated trick only succeeds once your control of the bike is perfect. The foundation is mastering all the controls, correct basic postures and clean basic jumping techniques. That is exactly the foundation you learn in the courses of the MX-Academy, and along the way you get an insight into motocross and FMX. So if you dream of spectacular jumps, it is best to start with clean basic technique.

By car you drive to Schlatt TG in about 30 min from Singen, about 1 hr 40 min from Freiburg and about 2 hrs from Stuttgart. For this journey, a day course with 3.5 hrs (Wednesday) or 4 hrs (Saturday) of track time including breaks is a good fit. Including rental bike, protective gear and coaching, it costs €390 (CHF 360) or €444 (CHF 410); prices are non-binding. You don't need a driving licence.

FAQ: FMX Freestyle Motocross

What does the abbreviation FMX stand for?

The three letters stand for freestyle motocross. It refers to a show discipline in which riders jump over a ramp and perform acrobatic tricks in the air.

Which FMX tricks are particularly well known?

Well-known tricks include the Backflip, Frontflip, Double Backflip, triple Backflip, Whip, Cliffhanger and Nac Nac. The tricks are constantly evolving.

How is the winner determined in freestyle motocross?

Scoring is done by a jury or the audience. So unlike in motocross, it is not the time that decides but the impression the performance makes.

Where do I learn the basics on which FMX builds?

In the courses of the MX-Academy: there you practise the motocross basic techniques – controls, basic posture and basic jumping technique – and get an insight into motocross and FMX.

What is a Whip in freestyle motocross?

In a Whip, the rider tilts the bike into an extreme lean in mid-jump. Race winners were already showing such jumps on the finish-line jump long before FMX became a discipline of its own.