# How to Crooked Grind

> A crooked grind is a nosegrind with the tail kicked out at an angle instead of straight. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/crooked-grind
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Grinds & slides · Level 4 of 5 · Learn first: [Nosegrind](https://getskateai.com/tricks/nosegrind)

## The short answer

A crooked grind is a nosegrind with the tail kicked out at an angle instead of straight. Set your front foot close to the front bolts, almost like a heelflip position, and push the tail out with your back foot as you lock the front truck onto the ledge. Hold the angle, then straighten out to pop off.

## Three things to remember

1. Front foot almost in heelflip position
2. Push the tail out so the board is crooked
3. Weight over the front truck

## Setup

Front foot close to the front bolts, almost heelflip position, toes hanging off a bit. Back foot on the tail pushes it out at an angle. Lock the front truck on the ledge.

## Step by step

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

1. **Approach:** Roll toward the ledge almost parallel, with your front foot already set near the front bolts.
2. **Pop:** Ollie onto the ledge, popping the same height as a nosegrind.
3. **Lock in:** Land with your front truck on the ledge and push the tail out at an angle with your back foot.
4. **Grind:** Keep your weight over the front truck and hold the angle steady as you slide.
5. **Pop out:** Straighten the board back out, then ollie off the end and land centered.

## Troubleshooting

### The board straightens into a nosegrind

**Why:** You're not pushing the tail out hard enough, or it drifts back straight mid-slide.

**Fix:** Push the tail out firmly on lock-in and hold that pressure the whole way across.

### The front truck won't catch and you slide past the ledge

**Why:** Your front foot is too far forward, past the heelflip-style pocket.

**Fix:** Set your front foot closer to the front bolts, digging into the edge like a heelflip stance.

### You spin out or the tail whips too far

**Why:** You pushed the tail out too hard or too fast on lock-in.

**Fix:** Push the tail out with a smaller, controlled motion, not a kick.

### You catch your back wheel on the ledge

**Why:** The tail angle isn't lifted enough, so the back truck or wheel clips the edge.

**Fix:** Lift the tail slightly as you push it out so only the front truck touches.

## Drill

Get comfortable locking in a nosegrind first, then practice just the tail-out foot pressure standing still on a flat ledge before adding speed.

## FAQ

### Is crooked grind harder than nosegrind?

Yes. You need the same front-truck balance as a nosegrind, plus control to hold the tail at an angle without it swinging free.

### Why does my crooked grind turn into a nosegrind?

The tail is drifting back straight because you stopped pushing it out. Hold steady pressure on your back foot for the whole slide.

### Do I need to learn nosegrind first?

Yes. Crooked grind is a nosegrind with an added angle, so the front-truck balance needs to already feel solid.

### How far should the tail kick out?

Just enough to see a clear angle, usually a few inches. Kicking it out too far makes the board hard to hold steady.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Nosegrind](https://getskateai.com/tricks/nosegrind)
- 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

- [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)