Rail Grinding on Your Skateboard
Part of what makes skateboarding so cool is that it can be done either competitively or as just another way to get from point A to point B. But if competing is your thing, you’ll need some slick tricks in your arsenal to score high with the judges.
Up-and-coming pro skater Lauren Perkins likes to implement grinds in her street routine to mix it up while riding from ramp to ramp. Her favorite: the 50-50 Grind.
“It’s so cool to lock in, and once you’re in, you’re on,” Perkins says. “It’s pretty simple for the most part, but it’s hard, as well.”
The 50-50 is a simple ollie onto the rail with both trucks [the pieces of metal that connect the wheels to the board] gliding down the rail.
According to Perkins, this trick is one every skateboarder should master, and if you can 50-50 Grind on the long rail, it’s sure to catch the eyes of the judges.
Before mastering the 50-50, though, you should first work on your Ollie.
The Ollie
• Stand on board with rear foot on tail [back of board] and front foot in middle
• Place ball of rear foot in middle of tail; when pushing down, the ball feels pressure
• Place front foot straight across board
• Push down fast, placing all weight on rear foot
• Strike tail down to hit ground, and jump off with rear foot while sliding front foot up the board
• Drag side of foot up the board causing board to jump and stick to feet
• Land on ground with feet spread apart in middle of board
50-50 Grind
• Start by gaining speed toward rail
• When close to the rail, ollie onto it, placing both trucks on the rail
• Use core and legs to balance on board
• Ride until rail ends and land back on pavement
Coaching Points: Get a slight bend in knees when balancing on board // Focus on getting entire board onto the rail // Don’t ollie too far away from rail // Wear protective gear
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MOST POPULAR
Rail Grinding on Your Skateboard
Part of what makes skateboarding so cool is that it can be done either competitively or as just another way to get from point A to point B. But if competing is your thing, you’ll need some slick tricks in your arsenal to score high with the judges.
Up-and-coming pro skater Lauren Perkins likes to implement grinds in her street routine to mix it up while riding from ramp to ramp. Her favorite: the 50-50 Grind.
“It’s so cool to lock in, and once you’re in, you’re on,” Perkins says. “It’s pretty simple for the most part, but it’s hard, as well.”
The 50-50 is a simple ollie onto the rail with both trucks [the pieces of metal that connect the wheels to the board] gliding down the rail.
According to Perkins, this trick is one every skateboarder should master, and if you can 50-50 Grind on the long rail, it’s sure to catch the eyes of the judges.
Before mastering the 50-50, though, you should first work on your Ollie.
The Ollie
• Stand on board with rear foot on tail [back of board] and front foot in middle
• Place ball of rear foot in middle of tail; when pushing down, the ball feels pressure
• Place front foot straight across board
• Push down fast, placing all weight on rear foot
• Strike tail down to hit ground, and jump off with rear foot while sliding front foot up the board
• Drag side of foot up the board causing board to jump and stick to feet
• Land on ground with feet spread apart in middle of board
50-50 Grind
• Start by gaining speed toward rail
• When close to the rail, ollie onto it, placing both trucks on the rail
• Use core and legs to balance on board
• Ride until rail ends and land back on pavement
Coaching Points: Get a slight bend in knees when balancing on board // Focus on getting entire board onto the rail // Don’t ollie too far away from rail // Wear protective gear