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beginner // grinds

50-50 Grind

Also known as Fifty-Fifty Grind, Fifty-Fifty

Both trucks lock onto a ledge or rail and you grind forward. The most fundamental grind in skateboarding.

The 50-50 Grind is a beginner Grinds trick. Most skaters land their first one within 2-6 weeks of consistent practice.

5

Spec

Difficulty
beginner
Complexity
Learn time
2-6 weeksⓘ
Category
Grinds
Stance
regular

Your progress

Steps

  1. 1

    Approach at a slight angle

    Approach the ledge at 30–45° from the frontside. A perpendicular approach makes it hard to lock in.

    Force
    ●○○○○
    Direction
    forward
    Weight
    centered
    TipA mellow angle is easier to lock in; too parallel and you'll slide off.
  2. 2

    Ollie to ledge height

    Pop your ollie so that at peak height, both trucks are level with the top of the obstacle.

    Force
    ●●●●○
    Direction
    up
    Weight
    centered
    TipOllie slightly before the ledge — you want to come down onto it.
  3. 3

    Lock both trucks in

    Guide your trucks to land squarely on the ledge. Both trucks should hit at the same time.

    Force
    ●●●○○
    Direction
    down
    Weight
    centered
    TipA slight stomp helps lock the trucks in.
  4. 4

    Grind forward

    Keep your weight centered and balanced. Let momentum carry you through the grind.

    Force
    ●●○○○
    Direction
    forward
    Weight
    centered
    TipLook ahead to where you want to exit, not down at the ledge.
  5. 5

    Pop or ride out

    At the end of the obstacle, pop a small ollie to clear the ledge or ride off the end.

    Force
    ●●●○○
    Direction
    up
    Weight
    centered
    TipMost ledges end with a pop-out so you re-engage both wheels simultaneously.

Common mistakes

Stalling out

What
You lock in but momentum stops immediately.
Why
Speed too low, or locked in at too steep an angle.
Fix
Approach with more speed and ensure your approach angle allows forward momentum.

Board slipping out

What
The trucks lock in but then slide off the ledge.
Why
Approaching too parallel or ledge isn't waxed.
Fix
Increase your approach angle and wax the ledge.

Only one truck lands on

What
Only the back truck locks in and you accidentally do a 5-0.
Why
Leaning back on the ollie-in.
Fix
Focus on landing both trucks simultaneously. Aim slightly forward.

Common problems

I always over-ollie and overshoot the rail/ledge

Why
You're ollying too high for the obstacle height. Your muscle memory from flatground ollies is too big.
Fix
Approach the obstacle and match your ollie height to it. Practice ollying onto a low crack or curb first. The ollie is smaller than you think.

I land on the rail but then slip out

Why
Your trucks are landing at an angle to the rail instead of parallel, or you're not equally balanced on both axles.
Fix
Approach the obstacle perfectly parallel. Land with even weight on both trucks simultaneously. If you're slipping front or back, you're favoring one truck.

I can't lock into the grind — I just ride over it

Why
Not enough lock-in force, or you're not leaning slightly into the obstacle.
Fix
Lock in with confidence. When your trucks land on the rail, lean slightly toward the obstacle and apply downward pressure. A hesitant lock-in slides off every time.

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Why this works

The mechanics behind the trick

Board
Both truck axles must be balanced on the obstacle. The deck hangs between the trucks, and forward momentum keeps you moving through the grind.
Feet
Your feet don't do much during the grind itself — it's about the ollie-in and the exit. During the grind, stay centered over the trucks.
Weight
Weight should be equal on both trucks. Leaning back puts you on the back truck only (5-0), leaning forward puts you on the nose (nosegrind).

Frequently asked

How long does it take to learn a 50-50 Grind?
Most skaters land their first 50-50 grind within 2-6 weeks of consistent practice, once you can ollie consistently.
What should I learn before the 50-50 Grind?
The 50-50 grind builds on Ollie. Get that consistent first, since the 50-50 grind reuses the same pop, balance, or flick.
What should I learn after the 50-50 Grind?
Once your 50-50 grind is consistent, the natural next tricks are 5-0 Grind and Nosegrind.
Is the 50-50 Grind hard to learn?
The 50-50 grind is a beginner trick. It gets much easier once you can already ollie.
Who invented the 50-50 Grind?
The 50-50 Grind was invented by Rodney Mullen in 1981 in California.

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