How to smith grind and feeble grind

Smith and feeble grinds are the next step after the 50-50 and the 5-0. In both, you grind on your back truck while the front of the board drops past the edge, so the board sits at an angle. They look similar but feel different, and they're usually learned on different obstacles: smiths on ledges, feebles on rails.

Smith grind

In a smith grind, your back truck grinds on the edge, and the front truck dips below the edge on the near side, the side you came from. The front of the board points down toward the side you came from. It's a stylish grind and a classic on ledges and curbs.

Feeble grind

In a feeble grind, your back truck grinds on the rail, and the front truck goes over the rail to the far side, resting on or beside it. The board crosses the rail at an angle. Feebles are most common on rails, where the front truck can hang over the other side.

Before you try them

You should be comfortable with:

• 50-50 grinds, to get on and off obstacles.
• 5-0 grinds, back-truck grinds with the nose up, because smiths and feebles both put your weight on the back truck.

Approach and getting on

These steps describe the frontside version: the obstacle is in front of you, on your toe side. Plenty of skaters find backside smiths easier, so try both low and slow.

1. Approach the ledge or rail at a slight angle, close enough to ollie onto it.
2. Ollie a little higher than the obstacle.
3. Set your back truck on the edge first.
4. Let the front truck drop: below the edge for a smith, over the rail for a feeble.
5. Lean slightly over the obstacle, with your weight on your back foot.

Balance

Both grinds put your weight on the back truck, with your front foot steering the angle. For a smith, the front of the board is pressed down and away; for a feeble, the front truck hangs over the rail. Too much weight on the front and you'll slip off; too little and the board drifts into a 50-50 or 5-0.

Getting out

At the end of the obstacle, lift the front of the board with your front foot and turn it back toward the ground, then roll away. On a smith, the front truck pops back up over the edge; on a feeble, it comes back over the rail.

A practice plan, step by step

1. Stationary: put your back truck on a curb and press the front down past the edge for a smith. Feel the angle.
2. Rolling slowly into a low curb, just setting the back truck on and the front down.
3. Short smiths on a low waxed curb.
4. Feebles on a low flat bar, once smiths feel comfortable.
5. Longer and higher obstacles, one step at a time.

A worked example: smith turns into a 50-50

Mia's smith grinds keep turning into 50-50s: both trucks end up on top. Her friend films one and sees her front foot staying level instead of pressing down. On her next try, she presses the front of the board down and away from the ledge as she lands the back truck. The front truck drops below the edge, and she holds a short smith to the end of the curb.

Fixes for the usual problems

• Smith becomes a 50-50: press the front of the board down and away.
• Board slides off: too much weight forward. Keep it on the back truck.
• Front truck hangs up on the edge: ollie a bit higher and let it drop cleanly.
• Feeble front truck catches the rail: get it fully over the rail as you land.
• Board stops dead: you need more speed, or the edge needs wax.

Common mistakes

• Starting on high obstacles. Low curbs and flat bars first.
• Weight on the front foot. Both grinds sit on the back truck.
• Not committing to the angle. A half-smith turns into a 50-50.
• Waxing a street spot that isn't meant for it. Keep wax to spots where it's welcome.

FAQ

What's the difference between a smith and a feeble?

In a smith, the front truck drops below the edge. In a feeble, it goes over the rail to the far side.

Which is easier?

Many skaters learn smiths on curbs first, then feebles on rails.

Do I need wax?

On curbs and ledges, a little wax helps. On rails, often not.

Can I do them backside?

Yes. Some skaters find backside smiths easier than frontside. Try both and see which feels calmer.

Next: How to stop and control your speed

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