# How to Axle Stall

> An axle stall locks both trucks on top of the coping, with the board parallel to it. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/axle-stall
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Transition · Level 2 of 5 · Learn first: [Frontside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-kickturn)

## The short answer

An axle stall locks both trucks on top of the coping, with the board parallel to it. Ride up with your back foot near the back bolts and front foot between the middle and front bolts, then turn your hips 90 as you reach the lip so both trucks land on the coping together. Weight the tail to roll back into the ramp.

## Three things to remember

1. Ride up with speed
2. Turn your hips 90 to lock both trucks
3. Weight the tail to come back in

## Setup

Back foot in the middle of the tail near the back bolts. Front foot between the middle and the front bolts. Ride up, turn your hips 90 and lock both trucks on the coping.

## Step by step

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

1. **Ride up:** Ride straight at the coping with your back foot in the middle of the tail near the back bolts and your front foot between the middle and the front bolts.
2. **Turn:** Turn your hips 90 as you reach the coping so the board comes parallel to it.
3. **Lock in:** Land both trucks on top of the coping at the same time, weight spread evenly.
4. **Hold:** Hold the stall for a moment with your knees bent and weight centered over both trucks.
5. **Roll in:** Weight your tail to break the stall and roll back down into the ramp.

## Troubleshooting

### Only one truck lands on the coping

**Why:** The hip turn happened too early or too late relative to reaching the lip.

**Fix:** Time the 90-degree turn to land right as your trucks reach the coping.

### You slip off the coping

**Why:** Your weight isn't centered evenly between both trucks during the stall.

**Fix:** Keep equal weight on both feet while you hold the stall.

### You can't get back into the ramp

**Why:** You're not shifting weight to the tail to break the stall.

**Fix:** Press your back foot down to tip the board back into the transition.

### You lose your balance on the turn

**Why:** Your shoulders aren't leading the hip turn.

**Fix:** Turn your head and shoulders first, and let your hips and board follow.

## Drill

Practice the 90-degree hip turn on flat ground first, then take it to the coping once the turn feels automatic.

## FAQ

### Is axle stall harder than rock to fakie?

It's a different skill. Axle stall needs a precise 90-degree turn to land both trucks together, while rock to fakie only needs the front truck to clear the coping.

### How long should I hold the stall?

As long as feels balanced, even half a second counts as a stall. Focus on a clean landing and clean exit before worrying about holding it longer.

### Why do I keep slipping off sideways?

Your weight is probably favoring one foot instead of being spread evenly across both trucks during the stall.

### Can I do axle stall on a small ramp?

Yes, a small mini ramp is the easiest place to learn the timing of the turn and the weight shift.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Frontside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-kickturn)
- Next: [Rock and Roll](https://getskateai.com/tricks/rock-and-roll)
- Next: [Backside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-kickturn)

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

## Related

- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)