Have you ever watched a skateboarder glide effortlessly across a rail, executing a perfect frontside feeble grind, and thought, “I wish I could do that?” Well, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re a seasoned skater looking to expand your trick repertoire or a beginner eager to impress your friends, learning how to do a frontside feeble grind will take your skateboarding skills to the next level.
Understanding the Basics
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of executing a frontside feeble grind, it’s essential to understand what you’re aiming for and why this trick is so popular.
What is a Frontside Feeble Grind?
A frontside feeble grind is a skateboard trick where you approach the rail from the front and grind with the back truck on the rail while the front truck hangs over the opposite side. It combines the body position and approach angle of a frontside 50-50 grind with the grinding action of a frontside boardslide. Knowing the components that make up this trick can help you break it down into manageable steps.
Why Learn the Frontside Feeble Grind?
Learning this trick not only boosts your confidence, but it also sharpens your balance, timing, and overall board control. Plus, it looks incredibly stylish when executed smoothly. Acquiring this trick will make you more versatile and give you a broader range of options when you’re out at the skatepark with friends.
Preparing Yourself
Gear Up Properly
First things first, ensure you have the appropriate gear. Wearing a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards can save you from a world of hurt, especially when you’re practicing new tricks.
Choosing the Right Skateboard
Your skateboard’s condition can significantly affect your performance. Ensure that your trucks are not too tight or loose. Here’s a quick guide to truck tightness:
| Truck Tightness | Impact on Grinding |
|---|---|
| Tight Trucks | Better stability but harder to turn |
| Loose Trucks | Easier to turn but less stable on grinds |
Appropriate Skate Spot
Ideally, you’ll want to practice in a skatepark or a spot with ledges and rails that are not too high. Beginners should start with lower rails or ledges to reduce the risk of injury.
Mastering the Fundamentals
Prerequisite Tricks
Before attempting a frontside feeble grind, you should be comfortable with the following tricks:
- Ollie onto a ledge or rail: Practice your ollies to ensure you can land on the target consistently.
- Frontside 50-50 grind: Learn this grind to get comfortable with frontside approaches.
- Frontside boardslide: Helps you understand the sliding component and balance.
Building Confidence
It’s vital to build your confidence through repetition and practice. Spend time mastering these fundamental tricks, as they will make the learning curve for a frontside feeble grind much less steep.
Breaking Down the Frontside Feeble Grind
Approach
How you approach the rail or ledge sets the stage for the entire trick.
- Angle: Approach the rail at a mild angle, around 30 to 45 degrees.
- Speed: Moderate speed is best—too slow, and you won’t maintain balance; too fast, and you risk overshooting.
- Body Position: Keep your shoulders parallel to the rail for better control and balance.
The Ollie
The ollie is the critical first move in the trick. Here’s the breakdown:
- Bend your knees: Lower your center of gravity to prepare for the jump.
- Snap the tail: Press down on the tail of your board quickly and lift off.
- Drag your front foot: This levels out your board and controls its direction.
Locking In
Successfully locking into the rail can be challenging. Remember these pointers:
- Back truck first: Aim to land your back truck on the rail first.
- Front truck over the rail: Ensure your front truck hovers over the opposite side, creating the “feeble” position.
- Keep your weight centered: Distribute your weight evenly to maintain balance.
The Grind
Once you’re locked in, it’s all about maintaining your balance.
- Feet Position: Your front foot should be near the middle of the board, and your back foot should be over the back truck.
- Hips: Keep your hips aligned with the rail.
- Eyes: Look ahead towards the end of the rail to anticipate the next move.
The Dismount
Getting out of the grind gracefully is just as important as getting into it.
- End of the rail: As you approach the end, prepare to lift your front truck.
- Pop off: Use a slight pop to lift your board off the rail.
- Land and roll away: Bend your knees to absorb the impact, and ride away smoothly.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Incorrect Approach Angle
Approaching at an incorrect angle can cause you to miss the rail entirely or fail to lock in properly. Aim for that sweet spot between 30-45 degrees.
Unstable Ollie
An unsteady ollie can throw off your balance. Practice your ollies onto curbs or small ledges to perfect this move.
Losing Balance During the Grind
If you lose balance mid-grind, it’s often due to uneven weight distribution. Focus on keeping your weight centered over the rail by aligning your body properly and bending your knees.
Advanced Tips
Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic frontside feeble grind, try adding some variations to spice things up:
- Shuvit Out: A 180-degree board spin as you dismount.
- Flip In: Perform a kickflip or heelflip as you get into the grind.
Practice Drills
Consistency is key. Regularly practicing through simple drills can help:
- Rail Confidence: Practice ollieing onto and off rails repeatedly.
- Balancing Act: Spend time balancing on your back truck on flat ground to get a feel for this position.
Mental Visualization
Visualizing the trick in your mind can significantly improve your success rate. Picture yourself performing each component flawlessly, and you’ll find that it often translates into actual performance.
Troubleshooting
Failing to Lock In
If you keep missing the rail, it could be due to an improper ollie height or approach angle. Revisit these elements and adjust accordingly.
Slipping Out
Slipping out usually means your weight isn’t properly centered. Practicing on a flat rail can make it easier to get a feel for where your weight should be.
Bailing Mid-Grind
Getting scared and jumping off mid-grind can be a psychological hurdle. Start on smaller, less intimidating obstacles to build your confidence gradually.
Safety Practices
Cushioning Falls
Learning how to fall correctly can save you from serious injuries. Try to roll as you fall, which can help dissipate the impact.
Spotting
Have a friend spot you, particularly when practicing on higher rails. They can offer immediate assistance if you run into trouble.
Putting it All Together
Combining all these steps into one fluid motion is where the magic happens. Here’s a quick summary:
- Gear Up: Wear protective gear.
- Choose Your Spot: Start with lower rails and ledges.
- Prerequisite Tricks: Ensure you can comfortably ollie, frontside 50-50, and frontside boardslide.
- Approach: Keep a mild angle, moderate speed, and parallel shoulders.
- Ollie: Bend your knees, snap the tail, and drag your front foot.
- Lock In: Back truck first, front truck over the rail, and keep your weight centered.
- Grind: Maintain balance with correct foot positioning and hip alignment.
- Dismount: Pop off the end of the rail, land smoothly, and ride away.
Conclusion
Mastering the frontside feeble grind is no small feat, but with the right approach, gear, and plenty of practice, it’s entirely achievable. You’ll not only add a stylish and versatile trick to your arsenal but also significantly enhance your balance, timing, and board control. Get out there, practice diligently, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly gliding across any rail in sight. Good luck, and enjoy the grind!
