Ever wondered how to nollie on a BMX? Let’s talk about it!
If you know how to bunnyhop, you might just learn nollies next. Because they are fun!
And if you’ve seen others pull it, that means, you can pull it, too.
And I’m here to help you make it happen.
The nollie may have started in the skate world, but BMX riders (shoutout to all the creative shredders out there) have found a way to bring that same energy to their bikes.
This guide is all about mastering the BMX version of the “nose ollie,” and trust me, it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to expand their bag of tricks.
Why Learn Nollies?
Sure, the nollie isn’t a classic in BMX, but it’s gaining serious traction among street riders. I’ve been working it into my sessions, and it’s become a favorite.
One of my favorite is doing a feeble grind and then nollie out.
Why Learn Nollies
While the nollie as a distinct trick isn’t as traditional in BMX culture as it is in skateboarding, there’s VALUE in exploring and understanding its mechanics.
But it’s getting increasingly common among street shredders, including myself.
Here’s why a BMX rider might consider learning a nollie:
1. Skill Development
Learning any new trick or technique improves your overall skill set.
Mastering front-end tricks can enhance balance, weight distribution understanding, and bike control.
2. Versatility
Adding diverse moves to your repertoire means you can tackle various terrains and obstacles in new ways.
This could open up new lines in a park or streets.
3. Creativity
BMX is as much about personal expression as it is about skill. Incorporating unusual or less common moves can make a rider’s style stand out.
4. Foundation For Advanced Tricks
Mastering weight shift towards the front of the bike can lay the foundation for more advanced tricks.
For instance, you can do a nollie 180, nollie 360 or the widely popular nollie barspin.
Note: Nollie barpin is the foundation for learning nose manual barspins.
5. Challenge
Trying out new moves can rekindle the challenge and excitement of mastering new tricks.
What’s cool about nollies is that you can go straight to learning it. In other words, you don’t really need to learn any other tricks prior.
6. Cross-Disciplinary Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from other extreme sports, like skateboarding, can keep BMX riding fresh and exciting.
It also fosters a sense of community and mutual respect between different action sports.
Hey, I watch a lot of skateboarding videos myself and gain plenty of inspiration from them.
How To Nollie On A BMX (Step-By-Step Guide)
While performing a nollie on a BMX isn’t as common as it is in skateboarding, I still recommend you learn it – especially as a street rider.
You’ll thank yourself later.
Step 1. Gear Up
Before attempting any BMX trick, ensure you’re wearing protective gear to minimize the risk of injuries.
What’s good about a nollie is that it isn’t that risky when you do it on flat, hip or out of a bank.
But don’t have this as an excuse for not wearing protection.
Step 2. Choose A Suitable Environment
Start on a flat, open surface free of traffic or obstacles. An empty parking lot or a skatepark will do the trick.
If you’ll be learning it on flat, find a line or even a crack in the ground and try to nollie over it.
But you can also use a pyramid, a hip or a bank to learn nollies.
Step 3. Get Comfortable With Your BMX
Ride around to warm up. Get a feel for your bike’s weight distribution and how it responds to your movements.
You can even do a few bunny hops to get the body juices flowing if you know how to do them.
Step 4. Understand The Nollie Concept
In skateboarding, a nollie involves pushing down on the nose (front) of the board to lift the back.
On a BMX, it means pushing down on the handlebars while pulling your legs to your body to lift the rear wheel.
Like with bunny hop, you’ll also want to position your feet to “scoop” the pedal upwards.
Picture it as the opposite of a bunnyhop:
- When you do a bunny hop, you pull your handlebar with your hands and then hop by bringing your legs to your body.
- When you do a nollie, you pull your rear end with your hand and then hop by bringing.pulling your hands to your body.
Does this make sense?
Step 5. Find The Balance Point
Practice leaning forward and finding the point where your rear wheel starts to lift.
This doesn’t mean hopping with the front wheel yet – just get a feel for shifting your weight.
Step 6. Begin With Small Movements
When you get the gist of pulling/lifting your rear end, try performing small hops with your front wheel by pulling your bars to your body.
Don’t worry how high you hop.
Step 7. Increase Height Gradually
As you become more comfortable, pull harder on the handlebars, which will help you nollie higher.
Note: Unfortunately, you cannot nollie as high as you can bunny hop.
Step 8. Practice, Practice, Practice
Mastering the nollie will take time and consistent effort like all BMX tricks. Dedicate specific practice sessions to it.
But if you get discouraged pulling a nollie on flat, do it over a hip or out of a bank – it’s much easier!
Step 9. Seek Feedback
If possible, record videos of yourself or ask your riding buddies to watch and provide feedback.
This can help pinpoint areas for improvement.
I film myself all the time, which helps me optimize and refine (to progress faster).
Conclusion: Master Nollies!
And there you have it, my BMX dudes! You just learned how to do a nollie.
While it’s a crossover from the skateboarding world, it just shows how interconnected and innovative the world of extreme sports can be.
Always remember, it’s not just about mastering new tricks, but the journey, the spills, the laughter, and the sheer thrill of it all.
So, gear up, practice safely, and maybe, just maybe, the next time someone mentions a nollie, you’ll be thinking of your BMX instead of a skateboard.
Keep riding, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun!
Yo! 🤘
Further reading:
- How To Bunny Hop On A BMX Bike
- How To Manual On A BMX Bike
- How To Fakie On A BMX
- How To Half Cab On A BMX
- 14 Easy Beginner BMX Tricks
