How to Skateboard: Learning the Slash Grind

If you’re looking to add style and power to your transitions, learning how to slash grind is a must. The slash grind is one of the most stylish tricks in skateboarding—it’s fast, loud, and a statement every time your trucks scrape across the coping. Whether you’re skating bowls, mini ramps, or vert, mastering the slash grind will instantly boost your flow and confidence. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to skateboard into this trick step by step.

What Is a Slash Grind?

The slash grind is a frontside or backside grind performed quickly on transition. Instead of locking into a long grind, you slash your front truck over the coping, letting your back truck grind briefly while you carve back into the ramp. It’s not about holding balance for long—it’s about speed, style, and making a big noise as your trucks hit the coping.

What You Need Before Trying a Slash Grind

Before learning this trick, make sure you’re already comfortable with these basics:

• Dropping in confidently

• Carving both frontside and backside

• Rock to fakie and kick turn control

If you’ve got those down, you’re ready to learn how to skateboard into a slash grind.

Step-by-Step: How to Do a Slash Grind

1. Approach with Speed
   Roll into the transition with enough speed to reach the coping. Speed is crucial—the slash grind won’t work if you creep up slowly.

2. Set Your Angle
   As you ride up the transition, angle your shoulders and board toward the coping. Think of it like carving hard into the top of the ramp.

3. Lift the Front Truck
   Just before you reach the coping, apply light pressure on your back foot to lift the front truck over. Your back truck should be the one that makes contact.

4. Make It Loud
   As your back truck scrapes the coping, lean slightly into it for that loud, powerful grind. Keep your weight centered so you don’t hang up.

5. Carve Back In
   Instead of trying to balance on the grind, carve back into the ramp in one smooth motion. The trick is all about flow—slash, grind, and dive back into the transition.

Tips for Style and Consistency

• Stay low: Bend your knees for stability and more control.

• Exaggerate the carve: The harder the carve, the better the slash looks.

• Commit fully: Half-hearted attempts will get you stuck on coping—trust your carve and weight shift.

• Practice on different transitions: Mini ramps are a great place to start before moving onto deep bowls.

Why the Slash Grind Matters

The slash grind is more than just a trick—it’s a core part of skateboarding culture. It teaches you how to skateboard with aggression and flow, blending style with function. Once you have it locked, it becomes second nature to throw in slashes between tricks, keeping your lines interesting and powerful.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to skateboard into a slash grind takes speed, confidence, and commitment. It’s not about balancing for a long grind—it’s about style, control, and flow. The next time you’re in a bowl or on a mini ramp, charge toward the coping, slash loud, and ride away with confidence.