How to
Smith Grind
The short answer
A smith grind locks the back truck on top of the ledge while the nose dips down alongside it. Land with almost all your weight over the back truck, front foot near the middle of the board pressing the nose down next to the ledge. Lean slightly away from the ledge to hold the angle, then level out to pop off.
Step by step
Land your
first Smith Grind.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Approach
Roll toward the ledge at a slight angle, similar to a 5-0.
- 02
Pop
Ollie onto the ledge, aiming the back truck to land right on top.
- 03
Lock in
Land with your weight over the back truck and press the nose down beside the ledge with your front foot.
- 04
Grind
Lean slightly away from the ledge to hold the nose down at a steady angle.
- 05
Pop out
Level the nose back up and ollie off the end, landing centered.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
The board catches and stops dead
- Why
- The nose dropped too far and the wheel hooked the ledge.
- Fix
- Ease the nose down instead of jamming it, and lean away from the ledge to control the angle.
It shoots out from under you
- Why
- Your weight isn't far enough over the back truck to hold the lock.
- Fix
- Commit more weight to your back foot right on landing, like a 5-0.
The nose won't drop at all
- Why
- Your front foot is on the nose itself instead of the middle of the board.
- Fix
- Move your front foot back toward the middle so you can press the nose down, not stand on top of it.
You lose balance and fall toward the ledge
- Why
- You're leaning into the ledge instead of away from it.
- Fix
- Lean your shoulders slightly away from the ledge to counter the nose-down angle.
DrillGet a solid 5-0 first, then practice just pressing the nose down beside a ledge at a standstill before adding speed.
Still not
landing it?
Film your smith grind. Skate AI shows you which part went wrong and the one fix for your next try.
On a computer? Point your iPhone camera here.
FAQ
Smith Grind
FAQ
Is smith grind harder than 5-0?
Yes. You need the same back-truck balance as a 5-0, plus control over the nose angle without catching a wheel.
Why does the board keep catching?
The nose is dropping too fast or too far, so the front wheel hooks the ledge. Ease it down gradually instead of jamming it in one motion.
How far down should the nose drop?
Just enough to feel a clear angle without the wheel touching the ground below the ledge. Start shallow and add angle as it feels controlled.
Do I need a specific ledge height for smith grinds?
A knee-to-waist-height ledge with clearance below it works best while you're learning, so the nose has room to drop without hitting the ground.