Does this sound familiar? You're riding down a beautiful trail, feeling pretty good, and then—bam!—a tight, steep switchback appears. Suddenly, you freeze up, brake too hard, or find yourself awkwardly dismounting mid-turn. Maybe your front wheel slides out, or you feel like you’re fighting the bike instead of flowing with it.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many mountain bikers, especially cautious riders or those returning to the sport later in life, struggle with downhill switchbacks. And most of the advice out there doesn’t really get to the root of the problem.

That’s why in this post, we’re going beyond the usual tips and diving into the real reasons switchbacks feel so scary—and more importantly, how you can fix them!

Why Are Switchbacks So Hard? (Especially for Adult Riders)

Switchbacks demand a combination of multiple skills:

• Bike control – precise braking, line choice and pressure control through the feet

• Balance – staying stable while making tight turns

• Mobility – rotating your body smoothly into the turn

• Mental confidence – trusting yourself and the bike

If just one of these elements isn’t dialed in, you’ll feel hesitant, out of control, or downright scared.

The good news? These skills can be trained—and I’ll show you how!

If you'd rather watch - here's a video. If you'd rather read, scroll down!

A Simple Recipe for Riding Switchbacks Successfully

Before we dive into the hidden reasons behind switchback struggles, let’s go over a basic framework for riding them successfully:

1. Approach with Level Pedals – Keep your feet heavy, hands light, and modulate your brakes for control.

2. Open Up the Turn – Either approach from the outside or briefly steer outward before turning in. This creates space for your rear wheel to follow a tighter line.

3. Steer & Rotate Your Body – Look through the turn (not at the drop-off!) and rotate your shoulders and hips while keeping braking smooth.

Sounds simple? Maybe. But if you’re still struggling, one (or more) of these hidden factors is probably getting in your way.

Five Hidden Switchback Confidence Killers

The following reasons can cause fear in switchbacks, sudden braking before or during the switchback and general lack of confidence on trails.

Hidden Reason #1: No Exit Plan = No Commitment

"What if I don’t make it?"

One of the biggest fears in switchbacks is not knowing what to do if things go wrong.

Many riders, especially women, tend to analyze risk more carefully (which is great!) but sometimes this turns into hesitation and fear of failure. If you’re thinking, "What happens if I can’t complete the turn?", your brain won’t let you fully commit—and that hesitation is often what causes the mistake in the first place.

The Fix: Train a Safe Exit Strategy

If you don’t have a bail-out plan, you’ll never feel fully confident committing to the turn. Here’s how to fix it:

✔️ Practice controlled dismounts—learn to step off the back of the bike safely instead of getting tangled up in the front wheel.
✔️ Try low-consequence terrain—practice tight turns on a gentle grassy slope before tackling technical trails.
✔️ Work with a coach and proven step by step drills—personalized feedback helps pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back. (Want expert feedback? Let’s work together!)

Hidden Reason #2: You’re Asking Your Body to Do Something It Can’t

Switchbacks require a full-body rotation. If your hips or thoracic spine are stiff, your body physically can’t make the movement properly—so of course it feels unstable!

Self-Test: Is Mobility Holding You Back?

Try standing up and rotating your upper body while keeping your hips square.
❌ Can’t rotate more than 30 degrees? That’s a silent confidence killer in switchbacks.

The Fix: Improve Your Mobility

✔️ Hip & spine mobility drills (A structured program like my Skill Up Challenge includes this!)
✔️ Off-bike exercises to loosen up tight areas
✔️ Practice the movement off the bike—if you can’t rotate off the bike, you definitely won’t be able to do it on the trail!

Hidden Reason #3: Lack of Balance = Fear of Losing Control

Switchbacks demand precise line choice and bike stability. If balancing on a narrow track feels sketchy, your brain will go into self-preservation mode and tense up.

The Fix: Train Your Balance & Line Holding

✔️ Trackstand practice – Being able to pause and balance builds confidence in slow, controlled movements. (Get my FREE Trackstand Course here! 🚀)
✔️ Riding narrow lines – Start with lines painted on flat ground, then progress to slightly sloped areas.
✔️ Progressive switchback training – Before riding steep switchbacks, practice them in a safe, controlled setting(ropes, cones, or gentle terrain).

Hidden Reason #4: Common Braking & Body Position Mistakes

Mistake #1: Hectic Braking
❌ Grabbing & releasing brakes abruptly → Front wheel slips or sends you over the bars
✔️ Smooth modulation – Learn to feather the brakes gradually

Mistake #2: Too Much Weight on the Hands
❌ Being too far forward = Higher risk of going over the bars
✔️ Heavy feet, light hands – Keep your weight balanced through your feet

Mistake #3: Sitting Too Far Back
❌ Sitting too far back = Front wheel washes out
✔️ Stay centered – Avoid the instinct to "lean away" from the turn

Want help fixing these mistakes? Work with my FUNdamentals Course, where we correct all these limiting habits!

Hidden Reason #5: Your Bike Setup is Holding You Back

Handlebars Too Wide – If your bars are too wide for your body, they limit your steering range. (If you’re under 5’11, bars over 780mm are probably too wide!)

Weak or Hard-to-Modulate Brakes – Many stock brakes require too much hand strength, making them hard to control. A brake upgrade can be a game-changer for confidence.

The Missing Piece: What’s Holding YOU Back?

Switchbacks require a blend of skills, mobility, confidence, and control. If just one element is off, the whole movement feels unstable.

Want a structured way to fix your switchback struggles?
✔️ Join my Tight Cornering Course – Train step by step, at your own pace!
✔️ Sign up for the Skill Up Program – Get weekly drills, live webinars & pro coaching!
✔️ Try my FREE Trackstand Course – Build balance & control right away!

Which of these mistakes surprised you the most? Drop a comment below!