Flat Landing (Overshooting a Jump)

A jump is built with a downslope on the landing side so the bike can touch down smoothly. If the rider goes too far and lands beyond it on flat ground – flat landing, or overshooting – the suspension bottoms out and the impact goes into the rider's legs, back and wrists.

The opposite mistake is casing: coming up short and landing on the top or face of the next jump. Both can damage the bike (bent rims, broken subframe, blown fork seals) and injure the rider.

Learn the right speed for each jump by building up gradually, walk the landing area first, and try to land with both wheels together or slightly rear first, with legs bent to absorb the impact.