# How to 5-0 Grind

> A 5-0 grind balances on the back truck only, with the nose held up off the ledge. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/5-0
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Grinds & slides · Level 3 of 5 · Learn first: [50-50](https://getskateai.com/tricks/50-50)

## The short answer

A 5-0 grind balances on the back truck only, with the nose held up off the ledge. Ollie on at a slight angle and land with your weight on the back foot, like an ollie to manual. Keep the front foot light so the front truck never touches, then level out and ollie off.

## Three things to remember

1. Weight on your back foot
2. Nose up, like a manual
3. Front truck never touches

## Setup

Ollie on at a slight angle and land on the back truck only. Weight goes onto the back foot on the tail, like an ollie to manual. The front foot stays light to keep the nose up.

## Step by step

Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.

1. **Approach:** Roll toward a ledge or curb at a slight angle, with enough speed to hold the grind for a few feet.
2. **Pop:** Ollie onto the ledge, popping enough to land only the back truck on top.
3. **Lock in:** Land with your weight on the back foot on the tail, nose held up like an ollie to manual.
4. **Grind:** Keep the front foot light so the front truck stays off the ledge the whole way across.
5. **Pop out:** Level the board out and ollie off the end, landing with your weight centered.

## Troubleshooting

### The front truck keeps dragging or catching

**Why:** Too much weight is still on your front foot instead of the tail.

**Fix:** Shift more weight onto your back foot right as you land, like a manual.

### You can't hold the nose up for more than a second

**Why:** You're not used to balancing on the back truck alone yet.

**Fix:** Practice manuals on flat ground first until the balance point feels familiar.

### You fall off the back of the ledge

**Why:** Your weight went too far back, past the balance point.

**Fix:** Find the same balance point you use for a manual, not further back.

### The nose drops and taps the ledge

**Why:** Your front foot pressed down instead of staying light.

**Fix:** Keep your front foot relaxed, just steering, not pressing.

## Drill

Practice manuals on flat ground until you can hold one for several seconds, then take that same balance point onto a low ledge.

## FAQ

### What's the difference between a 5-0 and a 50-50?

A 50-50 grinds on both trucks; a 5-0 grinds on the back truck only, with the nose up. A 5-0 needs the same balance as a manual.

### What's the difference between a 5-0 and a manual?

A manual balances on the back wheels while rolling on flat ground. A 5-0 is the same balance point, but the back truck is grinding on a ledge instead of rolling.

### Why can't I hold the nose up?

You likely haven't found the manual balance point yet. Practice manuals on flat ground first so the feeling is automatic before you add a ledge.

### Should I learn 50-50 or 5-0 first?

Learn 50-50 first. It's more stable because both trucks are locked in, and it teaches you the approach and pop before you add the manual balance.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [50-50](https://getskateai.com/tricks/50-50)
- Next: [Smith Grind](https://getskateai.com/tricks/smith-grind)
- Next: [Feeble Grind](https://getskateai.com/tricks/feeble-grind)

App: [Skate AI: Kickflip Ollie Coach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6814983538)

## Related

- [Smith grind vs feeble grind](https://getskateai.com/smith-grind-vs-feeble-grind)
- [Intermediate tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/intermediate-skateboard-tricks)
- [All 11 grinds and slides, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-grinds)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)