# How to Nosegrind

> A nosegrind balances on the front truck only, with the tail held up off the ledge. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/nosegrind
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 nosegrind balances on the front truck only, with the tail held up off the ledge. Set up like a 50-50, but move your front foot toward the nose and shift your weight forward as you land. Keep the back foot light to hold the tail up, then level out and ollie off.

## Three things to remember

1. Front foot toward the nose
2. Weight forward onto the front truck
3. Back foot keeps the tail up

## Setup

Set up like a 50-50, but move your front foot toward the nose and keep the back foot up off the tail. Land on the front truck only.

## 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 shifted toward the nose.
2. **Pop:** Ollie onto the ledge, aiming to land only the front truck on top.
3. **Lock in:** Land with your weight forward onto the front truck, back foot light and the tail lifted.
4. **Grind:** Hold the tail up the whole way across, adjusting your balance with your back foot, not your front.
5. **Pop out:** Level the tail back down and ollie off the end, landing centered.

## Troubleshooting

### The back truck keeps dragging

**Why:** The tail hasn't come up enough, so the back truck is still touching.

**Fix:** Shift more weight forward and lift the tail higher as you land.

### You slip off the nose

**Why:** Your front foot landed too far forward, past the truck.

**Fix:** Land with your front foot directly over the front truck, not past it.

### You can't balance for more than a second

**Why:** You're used to weighting your back foot, not your front.

**Fix:** Practice nose manuals on flat ground to feel the forward balance point.

### The board stalls right after you land

**Why:** You popped too low and the front truck caught the edge instead of landing on top.

**Fix:** Ollie a little higher so the front truck clears the lip cleanly.

## Drill

Practice nose manuals on flat ground until the forward balance point feels natural, then take it to a low ledge.

## FAQ

### What's the difference between a nosegrind and a crooked grind?

A nosegrind keeps the board straight, locked on the front truck only. A crooked grind angles the tail out to the side, so it's a nosegrind variation with extra board control.

### Why do I keep sliding off the nose?

Your front foot is probably landing too far forward, past the truck itself. Land right over the front truck and check the lock-in before adding speed.

### Is nosegrind harder than 50-50?

Yes, because you're balancing on one truck instead of two. Get comfortable with 50-50 and nose manuals first.

### How do I stop the tail from dragging?

Shift more weight onto your front foot as soon as you land, and keep your back foot light. If the tail still drags, you're not lifting it enough on the pop.

## What to learn next

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