Inline Aggressive Skating: Grinding Tricks

Inline aggressive skating is an extreme sport that focuses on style and tricks. The sport is practiced in skate parks, half pipes, and public spaces, often those that feature railings used for grinding. There are dozens of grinding tricks you can try once you get the hang of grinding, and each one is a little different. Always wear proper safety gear when practicing grinding tricks or any other type of trick.

  1. Soul Grind

    • The soul grind is a basic grind that can be performed by anyone from beginners to experts. First, approach the railing at a moderate speed. The more speed you have, the easier it is to balance, but at the same time, you don’t want to overdo it and injure yourself. As you’re moving toward the target, jump so that your soul foot (the foot you are most comfortable balancing on one leg with) is perpendicular with the railing and the inside edge is facing forward. Quickly move your other foot in front of your soul foot at a 90-degree angle and try to balance most of your weight (about 70 percent) on your soul foot as you grind. Eventually you want to be able to jump with both feet simultaneously and land into the trick.

    Backside Grind

    • This trick is slightly difficult because when you jump onto the railing, you’ll be facing away from it and won’t see exactly where you are landing. Start off approaching the railing at a moderate to low speed, especially if you are a beginner. Imagine where on the railing you’re going to land and aim for that spot. As you’re moving, jump up and turn your body 90 degrees, facing away from the railing, thus landing backwards. Bend your knees and balance equally on both feet as you land.

    Mizou Grind

    • This grinding trick is moderately difficult but looks very stylish when you can pull it off well. Start skating at a moderate speed, just enough so you can balance easily when you land. Jump so that you land with your soul foot in front with the outside edge of your foot facing forward. If you’re soul foot is your left foot, for example, you would jump onto a railing to the left of your body and land with your left foot turned inward. As you land on this foot, turn your non-soul foot at a 90-degree angle behind you so that it’s perpendicular with the soul foot. Try to land the two feet simultaneously.