(video is courtesy of bikeskills)

Step 1:

If you have time then plan your descent. Look for the line that will allow you to maintain a steady speed and will minimise any brake usage.

Step 2:

Keep you body weight to the back of the bike. Optimally (although not always possible on trail riding your saddle is down and low). Enter at a controlled speed.

Step 3:

Follow the line down allow ing your bike to roll off smaller drops and ensuring you lift your front wheel on the bigger drops coming through this. This can be done by pre-loading the front suspension by pressing down slightly with your body weight central to back and then moving your body weight right back whilst lifting the handlebars slightly just before you go over the edge. .

Step 4:

If new to steep rock gardens then you will probably be slightly on the brake. This is OK. But try to keep off the front brake as much as you can. If you can, stop and do it again and see if you can reduce the brake even more building up speed as you go. Taking a rock garden at speed is about staying loose on your bike, keeping to your line, keeping off the brake and letting gravity and momentum guide you naturally.