50-50 Grind
aka 50-50
The gateway grind. Ollie up so both trucks land on the ledge, lock in parallel, ride the metal, then pop off the end. Every grind starts here.
The Breakdown
Four phases from roll-up to roll-away. Scrub the analyzer above — each phase lights up as the board hits it.
- 01 Approach
Roll in parallel
Come at the ledge or rail at a slight angle so your path is nearly parallel to it. Keep a steady, committed speed — too slow and you stall on the metal, too fast and you overshoot. Set your feet in ollie position and spot the spot where you want both trucks to land.
- 02 Ollie On
Pop onto the obstacle
Ollie just high enough to clear the edge and aim both trucks for the top of the ledge at the same time. Land squarely over the bolts with the board parallel to the obstacle. Keep your shoulders lined up with the rail so you don't drift off the side.
- 03 Grind
Lock in and balance
Stay centered over both trucks and let the metal slide. Keep your weight stacked over the board, knees bent, eyes down the obstacle. Lean slightly into the rail if it's round so you don't slip off the outside edge.
- 04 Pop Out
Ollie off the end
As you reach the end, give a small pop off the nose or just lift to clear the trucks off the ledge. Level the board out and spot your landing on the ground below. Land over the bolts with bent knees and roll away.
When It Goes Wrong
The most common ways 50-50 Grind bails — and the fix. Diagnose your slam, then get back on.
Why do my trucks slip off the rail instead of grinding?
You're landing too far inside or outside the rail. Aim both trucks to land dead center on the metal and keep your weight stacked straight over the board. A round rail needs a touch of lean into it so the trucks hug the bar instead of rolling off.
I keep stalling out and stopping halfway along the ledge.
Not enough speed, or you sat back on your tail mid-grind. Commit to more roll-in speed and keep your weight centered over both trucks, not on the back foot. The metal slides way easier than you think once you trust it.
How do I stop the board from turning sideways on the rail?
Keep your shoulders parallel to the obstacle the whole time. If your upper body opens up, the board follows and you'll pivot off. Spot down the length of the rail and keep both feet pinned over the bolts.
Do I need to wax the ledge first?
A concrete or stone ledge usually needs wax to grind smooth. Rub skate wax (or a candle) along the edge where your trucks ride. Metal rails are already slick, so you can skip the wax there.
The 50-50 is the grind every other grind branches off of. Both trucks on the obstacle, board parallel, weight stacked dead center — once you can lock one in and ride it out clean, the whole grind tree opens up. 5-0s, nosegrinds, crooks, they all trace back to this feeling.
Start low. A curb or a small parking-block is your friend here — get the ollie-on and the lock dialed before you take it to a real ledge or a waxed rail. The metal slides easier than your brain wants to believe; the only real obstacle is trusting it and keeping your shoulders square the whole way down.
Dial In Your Setup
Gear that makes this trick easier to learn. Tune the setup, not just the technique.
Raised trucks
Standard kingpin · grindable axle
Stock trucks grind fine, but a little wear on the hangers actually helps them lock and slide. Avoid super-soft bushings here — you want stability over the rail, not turn.
Shop decks & partsSkate wax
Bar or block
For concrete and stone ledges this is non-negotiable. A waxed edge is the difference between a smooth grind and getting bucked. Reapply when the slide starts feeling sticky.
Shop decks & parts99A wheels
52–54mm · 99A duro
Harder wheels keep your approach predictable and won't bog down when you pop out. Soft wheels grab on landing and can throw you forward off the obstacle.
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Stack Your Clip
Landed 50-50 Grind? Soon you'll drop your line here and battle the crew for the top of the board.