How to axle stall

An axle stall is a stall on the coping with both trucks locked on it, the board parallel to the coping. It's a classic early ramp trick, and it teaches you how to lock in on coping, which is the base for grinds on ramps later.

Before you try it

You should be comfortable with:

• Dropping in.
• Pumping to the top.
• Kickturns at the top.
• Rock to fakie, ideally, so you're used to the board touching the coping.

Foot placement

• Back foot: on the tail, over the back bolts.
• Front foot: over the front bolts.

The approach

Ride up the ramp with enough speed to reach the coping, at a slight angle.

Getting on

1. At the top, turn your shoulders and hips so the board turns parallel to the coping.
2. Set both trucks on the coping: the back truck first, then the front.
3. Your wheels are on either side of the coping, and the trucks' axles are on it.

The stall

Hold for a moment, centered over both trucks, knees bent. Your weight should be over the coping, not leaning in or out.

Coming back in

1. Turn your shoulders back toward the ramp.
2. Lift the front wheels slightly by pressing the tail.
3. Turn the board back toward the ramp and roll down.

A worked example: slipping back in

Jay's axle stalls keep slipping back in before he locks on. He films one and sees his back truck isn't getting over the coping. He rides up with a bit more speed and turns a little earlier, so the back truck goes over first. Both trucks lock on, and he holds the stall before coming back in.

Practice plan

1. Stationary: at the top of the ramp, set the board on the coping in an axle stall and stand on it.
2. Slow approach: ride up, set on, come back.
3. Normal speed.

Fixes for the usual problems

• Back truck doesn't get on: ride up with more speed and turn earlier.
• Slipping back in: you're leaning in. Stay over the coping.
• Falling out the back: you're leaning out. Center your weight.
• Can't come back in: turn your shoulders first, then the board.

Frontside vs backside axle stalls

You can do axle stalls both ways:

• Frontside axle stall: you turn so your chest faces the coping as you set the trucks on. Many skaters learn this first because they can see the coping.
• Backside axle stall: you turn so your back faces the coping. You can't see the coping as well, so it can feel scarier.

Both have the same lock: both trucks on the coping, wheels on either side.

Where it leads

Once axle stalls are solid, the same lock lets you grind the coping: instead of stopping, you keep moving along it in a 50-50 grind on coping. You'll need more speed and a smoother coping. It's also the setup for other stalls and grinds on ramps.

Picking the right ramp

Start on a small mini ramp with smooth, round coping. A low ramp means you don't need much speed, and round coping lets the trucks lock on easily. Avoid square or very sharp edges at first.

Wear pads

Ramp tricks mean falls on ramps. Knee pads let you slide down instead of catching yourself with your hands. A helmet protects you if you fall back onto the deck. Most ramp skaters wear both.

The feeling to look for

A good axle stall feels locked: your trucks are on the coping, and the board doesn't wobble. If it feels shaky, you're probably not centered, or one truck isn't fully on. Practice the stationary version until you know exactly what locked feels like.

Steps: from stall to grind later

1. Hold axle stalls until they feel locked every time.
2. Try them with a little more speed.
3. Let the board move a few centimeters along the coping before coming in.
4. With wax and more speed, that becomes a 50-50 grind on coping.

Common mistakes

• Not enough speed. You need to reach the coping.
• Leaning in or out. Stay centered.
• Turning too late.
• Stiff legs.

FAQ

What's the difference between an axle stall and a 50-50?

An axle stall is a stall: you stop on the coping. A 50-50 grinds along it.

Do I need wax?

Not for a stall. For grinds on coping, wax can help.

Is it frontside or backside?

You can do both. Frontside is when you turn so your chest faces the coping; backside is when your back faces it.

Next: How to nollie

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