Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Grinds and slides are core skateboarding tricks performed along an edge — a rail, ledge or coping. A grind is when the metal trucks (axles) scrape along the edge (e.g. a 50-50 grind on both trucks, or a 5-0 on the back truck). A slide is when part of the wooden deck moves along the edge (e.g. a boardslide, with the board perpendicular, or a noseslide on the front). Both are entered by ollie-ing onto the obstacle and require balance, commitment and precise positioning. They are central to street skating and a major part of skatepark and competition runs.
- Grind = trucks along the edge
- Slide = deck along the edge
- Entered via an ollie onto the obstacle
- Central to street skating
In practice
A grind (sliding on a rail or ledge using the board's trucks) and a slide (sliding sideways across a surface, often on the deck itself) are foundational skateboarding techniques that build the balance and board control needed for more advanced rail and ledge tricks — most skaters progress from basic grinds on low, wide ledges before attempting more technical variations on rails or higher obstacles.
FAQ
What's the difference between a grind and a slide in skateboarding?
A grind uses the board's trucks sliding along an edge or rail, while a slide involves the board's deck (or the rider's body) sliding across a surface — both are distinct foundational skill categories.
Are grinds harder to learn than slides?
Generally grinds require more precise balance since the skater is riding on the narrow trucks rather than the flat board, making basic slides a more common starting point for beginners before progressing to grinds.