How to Land Your First Grind: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

28 January 2026

So, you’ve been skating for a while now—cruising around town, maybe even nailed a few ollies and shove-its—and you're ready to take things to the next level. Landing your first grind is not just another trick to add to your arsenal; it's a rite of passage. It’s that moment where it starts feeling real—like, "yeah, I’m actually doing this!"

Grinds can feel intimidating at first, and sure, watching the pros slide down handrails like it’s no big deal might make it seem out of reach. But hey, everyone starts somewhere. The key is breaking it down, staying patient, and knowing that falling is part of the game. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to land your first grind—safely and confidently—without sugarcoating the challenges or skipping the important stuff. Ready to roll? Let’s dive in.

🛹 What Is a Grind, Anyway?

Before we get too deep, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. A grind in skateboarding is when you slide using the trucks (those metal parts beneath your deck) on a rail, ledge, curb, or other surface. Unlike a slide, where the board’s deck makes contact with the surface, grinding puts your trucks to work.

The cool part? There are tons of different types of grinds—like the 50-50, boardslide (technically a slide, but often confused with grinds), 5-0, smith, feeble, and nosegrind, just to name a few. For your first grind, we’re gonna stick with the most beginner-friendly option: the 50-50 grind.

🎯 Why Start With the 50-50 Grind?

Easy. The 50-50 grind is the most straightforward grind you can learn. Both trucks lock onto the edge you're grinding on—hence “50-50.” It doesn't require a crazy angle, and it’s a solid foundation for all kinds of advanced grinds down the line.

It’s like learning to skate before hitting a halfpipe. You gotta walk before you can run.

🧠 Mindset Check: You’re Gonna Fall, and That’s Okay

Before we even touch a rail or ledge, here's an honest truth: you're gonna fall. Not once, not twice—probably dozens of times. That’s not a talent issue—it’s just the process. Think of it like learning how to ride a bike without training wheels. You wobble, you fall, but eventually, boom—you’re flying down the street with no hands.

Keep this in mind: progress > perfection. Celebrate small wins, because they eventually add up to big ones.

☑️ Step 1: Gear Up

Let’s not skip the basics. If you’re gonna throw yourself at a metal rail or waxed curb, at least do it smartly. Make sure you’ve got:

- Helmet: Your brain deserves protection.
- Knee and elbow pads: Especially useful when you’re still figuring it out.
- Proper skate shoes: Thin soles for board feel, grippy material for control.
- Wax (optional but helpful): For slicking up surfaces.

Now, let’s talk about your board. You don’t need some $300 custom setup, but make sure your trucks are durable and your wheels aren’t too soft. Softer wheels grip more, which isn't what you want for grinds.

🧱 Step 2: Pick the Right Spot

Your environment is EVERYTHING when learning how to grind. You don’t wanna start on a 10-stair handrail your first time out.

Ideal Grind Practice Spots:

- Curb or low ledge (6–12 inches high): These are perfect training grounds.
- Waxed parking lot curbs: Smooth, consistent, and forgiving.
- Flat bars: If you’ve got access to a skate park, start here.

The lower and wider the surface, the better. It gives you more room for error and boosts your confidence early on.

🔧 Step 3: Learn the Approach

Before you can grind, you’ve gotta lock in. But first—how do you even get on the ledge?

You’ve Got Two Options:

1. Ollie On (the classic way)
2. Ride On (the beginner-friendly shortcut)

If this is your first grind ever, start with the ride-on technique. Basically, you position your board so you can roll directly onto the curb or ledge. No ollie required—yet. This helps you get used to the feeling of your trucks locking on and sliding.

🏁 Step 4: Practice Locking In

Okay, now things get real. The goal here is to get both trucks on the ledge evenly. No tilt, no lean—just a clean lock.

Try This:

- Roll at a moderate speed towards the curb.
- Aim your front truck just past the edge.
- Shift your weight slightly forward to commit.
- As your back truck clears the curb, let it follow and lock in.

You’ll feel it when it clicks. That grinding sound? Pure music.

If you start tipping or falling off early, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, try to analyze why it happened. Was your weight off? Did you lean too far back? Self-correcting is a huge part of learning.

🚀 Step 5: Start the Grind

You’re locked in. Now what?

Let gravity and momentum do the work. Don’t try to force it.

Pro Tips:

- Stay centered over your board. Leaning too far forward or back will toss you.
- Keep your knees slightly bent. Absorb shock and stay balanced.
- Look toward the end of the ledge. Your eyes guide your body.

Whatever you do—don’t jump off halfway because you freak out. Commit to it. Trust yourself. That confidence is your best tool.

🛬 Step 6: The Dismount (aka The Landing)

Successfully grinding is only half the trick—you also gotta stick the landing.

As you near the end of the ledge:
- Prepare for a small drop back onto the ground.
- Keep your knees bent and stay loose.
- Roll away clean, or stumble, laugh it off, and try again.

You’d be surprised how many skaters can lock into grinds but struggle with the dismount. Landing is a skill on its own—so give it the practice it deserves.

🔁 Pro Tip: Build It into a Drill

Repetition is the mother of mastery. Set a timer for 30 minutes and just grind—literally.

- Aim to lock in every time, whether or not you land it.
- Rest when needed. Don’t grind yourself into injury (pun totally intended).

Track your progress. Maybe on Day 1 you only grind 2 feet before falling. But by Day 5? You're sliding the whole curb. That’s growth, my friend.

💪 Overcoming Common Mistakes

Let’s be real—some stuff is gonna trip you up. Here’s what most beginners mess up:

1. Leaning Too Far Back

- You’ll slip out and land on your butt. Painful but common.

2. Not Committing

- Half-committing almost always leads to bails. Either go for it or reset.

3. Going Too Slow

- Ironically, slower doesn’t = safer. You want enough momentum to carry you through the grind.

4. Improper Lock-in

- Only getting one truck up = instant fall. Focus on centering.

🎉 The First Successful Grind: What It Feels Like

Let me tell you—landing your first grind is euphoric. It won’t be the cleanest, and you might stumble a bit on the landing, but that sound of metal scraping against concrete? That’s the sound of progress.

You’ll feel like every fall, bruise, and awkward lean was worth it. And the cool part is, it only gets better from here. Once you’ve got the 50-50 dialed in, the doors open to all sorts of grind variations.

🔄 What's Next After the 50-50?

Now that you’ve tasted your first grind, you might be wondering—what's next?

Here’s Your Trick Progression:

- 5-0 Grind: Like a manual + grind combo. Only back truck locks in.
- Nosegrind: Opposite of a 5-0. Front truck does the work.
- Smith or Feeble: Stylish, steezy grinds that require more finesse.
- Handrails: Yep, eventually you’ll get here. But don’t rush it.

The more grinds you learn, the more your confidence skyrockets. It’s a snowball effect.

✅ Final Thoughts

Landing your first grind is more than just another trick. It's a turning point. It shows that you’re not just messing around—you’re leveling up.

The grind teaches you balance, commitment, and resilience. And honestly? That’s what skateboarding’s all about. So take your time, fall a few times, get back up, and keep at it. Because that first lock-in and roll-away? It's a feeling you’ll never forget.

Keep shredding, and always remember—if skateboarding were easy, everyone would do it.