The 5-0 grind is one of the first “true” grind tricks most skaters learn after mastering the 50-50, and it’s a key building block for boardslides, nosegrinds, and more advanced ledge and rail tricks down the line. Unlike the 50-50, which balances evenly on both trucks, the 5-0 asks you to balance almost entirely on your back truck while the nose of your board points up and away from the obstacle. It looks harder than it is — with the right setup and a bit of practice, most skaters who can already 50-50 grind can land a 5-0 within a few sessions.
What Is a 5-0 Grind?
A 5-0 grind is performed by popping onto a ledge, curb, or rail so that only the back truck makes contact and grinds along the edge, while the front wheels and nose stay lifted in the air the entire time. The name comes from old-school vert skating, where it originally referred to a similar back-truck stall on the coping of a ramp. On street obstacles today, it’s one of the most common grinds you’ll see, and it sets up naturally into a revert, a shove-it out, or a transition into other grind variations.
Prerequisites Before You Try It
Before attempting a 5-0, you should be comfortable with a few fundamentals:
- A solid ollie at the height and consistency needed to clear the ledge or curb you’re grinding.
- A confident 50-50 grind, since the popping and locking motion is nearly identical — the only difference is where your weight ends up.
- Comfortable trucks that aren’t too loose or too tight; overly loose trucks make it hard to hold the manual-like balance a 5-0 requires. If you’re not sure where yours stand, our guide on how to tighten skateboard trucks covers how to dial that in.
How to 5-0 Grind: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose the Right Ledge or Curb
Start with a low, smooth ledge or curb — around knee height or lower is ideal. Waxed ledges make the grind noticeably smoother and more forgiving while you’re learning, since less friction means less chance of getting caught or thrown off balance.
Step 2: Approach at the Right Speed and Angle
Roll toward the ledge at a moderate, controlled speed — fast enough to carry you through the grind, but not so fast that you overshoot your pop. Approach at a slight angle rather than dead straight, which makes it easier to lock your back truck onto the edge.
Step 3: Pop and Lock the Back Truck
Ollie just before the ledge, and as you rise, use your back foot to guide the tail down slightly so the back truck lands directly on the edge of the ledge. At the same time, pull your front foot and the nose of the board up and away from the ledge — this is the part that separates a 5-0 from a 50-50.
Step 4: Balance on the Back Truck
Once the back truck is locked in, keep your weight centered over it and hold the nose up using your front foot and ankle, similar to holding a manual. Keep your knees slightly bent and your eyes looking ahead along the ledge, not down at your feet.
Step 5: Ride Out Cleanly
As you reach the end of the ledge, level your board back out by dropping the nose and front wheels back down, then ride away in a straight line. Landing both trucks evenly at the same time is what makes the exit look — and feel — clean.
How 5-0 Grinds Differ From 50-50s and Axle Stalls
It’s easy to confuse the 5-0 with other grinds when you’re first learning the names, so here’s a quick breakdown. In a 50-50 grind, both trucks make contact with the ledge and stay level the whole way through, which makes it the most balanced and beginner-friendly grind to start with. An axle stall is a stationary trick where you pop onto the ledge, briefly balance on one or both trucks, and pop back off the same way you came in, rather than grinding all the way across. The 5-0 sits between the two in difficulty: it uses the same popping motion as a 50-50, but demands the back-truck-only balance of a stall while you’re still moving forward. If you want a wider overview of grinding technique before narrowing in on the 5-0 specifically, our general guide on how to grind on a skateboard is a good place to start.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Popping Too Hard
A big, aggressive pop sends your back truck too high above the ledge, making it hard to land precisely on the edge. Aim for a controlled, moderate ollie instead of your biggest pop.
Leaning Back Too Far
Lifting the nose too high, or leaning your shoulders too far back, throws off your balance and often ends in the tail dragging or the board slipping out sideways. Keep the nose lift subtle — just enough to clear the front wheels off the ledge.
Riding Loose Trucks
Trucks that are too loose make the manual-style balance required for a 5-0 much harder to control, since the board will want to wobble side to side. Slightly tighter trucks than you’d use for cruising tend to work better for grinding.
Practicing on Rough or High Ledges
Rough concrete or high ledges add difficulty you don’t need while you’re still learning the balance point. Stick to low, smooth, waxed ledges until the motion feels automatic.
Tips for Learning Faster
Practice the manual-style back-truck balance on flat ground first, away from any ledge, so your body gets used to the feeling before you add the grind on top of it. Many skaters also find it helpful to practice locking onto a low curb without worrying about riding it out — just popping on, holding the balance for a second, and popping back off, similar to an axle stall. Once that feels stable, start adding forward movement and length to the grind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 5-0 grind harder than a 50-50 grind?
Yes, generally. A 50-50 balances evenly across both trucks, which is more stable and forgiving, while a 5-0 requires you to hold your weight almost entirely on the back truck while the nose stays lifted — closer to a rolling manual than a simple grind.
What’s the difference between a 5-0 grind and a nosegrind?
They’re mirror images of each other. A 5-0 grinds on the back truck with the nose lifted, while a nosegrind grinds on the front truck with the tail lifted. Most skaters find the 5-0 easier to learn first since it’s a more natural extension of the 50-50 and axle stall.
Do I need special trucks for a 5-0 grind?
No special trucks are required, though many skaters prefer slightly tighter trucks for better control during the balance portion of the grind, and some riders add grind rails to their trucks to protect the hangers and make the grind slide more smoothly.
Why does my back truck keep slipping off the ledge?
This is usually caused by approaching at too steep an angle, popping too high, or not keeping consistent pressure on the back truck once it’s locked in. Slow your approach down and focus on a smaller, more controlled pop until the lock-in becomes consistent.
How long does it typically take to learn a 5-0 grind?
Most skaters who are already comfortable with 50-50 grinds and ollies can land their first 5-0 within a handful of sessions, though building a smooth, consistent version that holds up on higher or longer ledges usually takes longer.
