So I've tried a million times to improve my side hop technique but I just can't really let go off the rear brake. The funny thing is though, that if I do the jump like in the pictures of my first post, I let go of the brake. I think I will do this a lot from now on and then, once I'm stable in this technique, try to transfer it to the side hop. It isn't really any different except that you land rear wheel first. It also kinda feels nicer not having to put the front wheel down first.