The smith grind is one of the trickiest-looking grinds in skateboarding — the board sits at an angle, with the back truck locked on the ledge or rail and the nose dipped down toward the ground. It looks precarious because it kind of is: you’re balancing on one truck while the board tilts, which makes it a step up in difficulty from a flat 50-50 grind. Once you understand the angle and weight distribution, though, it clicks faster than it looks like it should.
What Is a Smith Grind?
In a smith grind, only your back truck locks onto the ledge or rail while the front truck hangs off the edge, tilting the nose of the board down and away from the obstacle. This is different from a 50-50 grind, where both trucks sit on top of the ledge and the board stays flat. If you haven’t grinded flat yet, it’s worth starting with our 50-50 grind guide or the broader beginner’s guide to grinding before attempting a smith grind.
Skills to Have Before Trying a Smith Grind
- A consistent 50-50 grind so you’re already comfortable locking a truck onto a ledge at speed.
- Comfortable ollies onto ledges — you need to be popping with control, not just height.
- Trucks that aren’t too loose — a smith grind relies on some stability from your back truck. If your trucks feel wobbly, check our guide on tightening skateboard trucks first.
How to Smith Grind: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Approach the Ledge
Approach at a moderate, controlled speed — not fast enough to overshoot the balance point, but with enough momentum to carry through the grind. Line up so your back truck will land directly on the edge of the ledge or rail.
Step 2: Ollie and Lock the Back Truck
Ollie up and slightly turn your back foot so the back truck lands and locks onto the ledge first. As it locks, let your front truck drop below the level of the ledge — this is the part that feels unnatural at first, since every instinct says to keep the board flat.
Step 3: Find the Balance Point
Once the back truck is locked, put your weight over your back foot and use your front foot to control the angle of the nose. Too much weight forward and the nose drags or catches; too little and you’ll pop off the ledge early. This balance point is the entire trick — most of your practice time will go into finding it.
Step 4: Ride Out
To exit, level the board back out by lifting the nose slightly and popping off the end of the ledge, landing with both trucks together the way you would coming out of an ollie.
Common Smith Grind Mistakes and Fixes
- Front truck catches and stops you: You’re dropping the nose too far too fast. Ease into the angle instead of dropping it immediately after locking the back truck.
- Sliding off the ledge sideways: Your back truck isn’t landing square onto the edge. Slow down your approach and focus on a controlled ollie rather than rushing the lock-on.
- Can’t hold the balance point: This is normal at first — it takes reps to feel where your weight needs to sit. Try practicing on a low, mellow ledge before moving to anything taller.
- Popping out too early: Usually caused by nerves rather than a technical issue. Trust the lock and give yourself a full second or two of grind before exiting.
Tips for Learning Faster
Start on a low curb or mellow ledge rather than a tall rail — the forgiveness of a shorter fall makes it much easier to relax into the balance point instead of bailing early out of fear. It also helps to practice the “dip the nose” motion in your driveway at a dead stop, just rocking your weight back onto your back truck, so your body already knows the feeling before you add speed and a ledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a smith grind and a 50-50 grind?
In a 50-50, both trucks sit flat on top of the ledge. In a smith grind, only the back truck locks on while the front truck and nose dip down below the ledge at an angle.
Is a smith grind harder than a 50-50 grind?
Yes, generally. The 50-50 keeps the board flat and stable, while the smith grind requires you to balance on essentially one truck with the board tilted, which takes more practice to control.
What size ledge should I practice on?
A low, flat curb or skate-park ledge around knee height or lower is ideal for learning. Height doesn’t make the trick easier or harder technically, but a lower ledge makes falls less intimidating while you’re finding your balance point.
Why does my front truck keep catching on the ledge?
This usually means you’re dipping the nose down too aggressively right after locking on. Ease the angle in gradually instead of dropping it all at once.
Do I need special trucks for grinding?
Not special trucks specifically, but well-maintained ones matter. Worn-out bushings or a loose kingpin make it harder to hold a stable angle mid-grind, so it’s worth checking your setup before working on smith grinds.
