HowTo Skateboarding Frontside Smith Grind With Vanessa Torres YouTube

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Table of Contents:

• What is a Frontside Smith Grind?
• How to Set Up for a Frontside Smith Grind?
• How to Do a Frontside Smith Grind?
• What are the Common Mistakes in a Frontside Smith Grind?
• How to Land a Frontside Smith Grind?

What is a Frontside Smith Grind?

A frontside Smith grind is a skateboard trick that involves grinding the front truck of the skateboard on the coping of a ramp or a ledge, while the back truck is suspended in the air. The trick is named after its creator, skateboarder and artist Kevin "Spanky" Long's nickname "Smith".

The frontside Smith grind is a basic trick that is often learned after mastering the 50-50 grind and the frontside 5-0 grind. It is a stylish and versatile trick that can be performed on various obstacles, including ledges, rails, and coping on a ramp.

How to Set Up for a Frontside Smith Grind?

Before attempting a frontside Smith grind, you must first find a suitable obstacle to grind on. A skatepark with a ramp or a ledge is an ideal location for practicing this trick. Make sure that the obstacle is of a comfortable height and width and that the coping is clean and smooth.

To set up for a frontside Smith grind, approach the obstacle at a moderate speed with your feet in the ollie position. As you reach the edge, start to shift your weight forward, and pop the tail of the skateboard to initiate an ollie. While in the air, turn your shoulders and hips 90 degrees towards the obstacle, so that your front truck is facing the coping.

As you land on the coping, make sure that your front truck is positioned on top of the coping, with the back truck suspended in the air. Keep your weight centered over the board and maintain balance by using your arms and upper body.

How to Do a Frontside Smith Grind?

Once you have set up for a frontside Smith grind, the next step is to grind the obstacle. To do this, shift your weight slightly forward, and apply pressure on the front truck to maintain contact with the coping. Keep your back foot slightly above the ground to avoid getting stuck.

As you grind, keep your shoulders and hips turned towards the coping, and maintain balance by using your arms and upper body. Keep your eyes focused on the end of the obstacle, and prepare to dismount by shifting your weight back onto the board.

To dismount, release the pressure on the front truck and shift your weight back onto the board. As you reach the end of the obstacle, pop the tail of the skateboard to initiate an ollie, and land back onto the ground with both feet.

What are the Common Mistakes in a Frontside Smith Grind?

Learning a frontside Smith grind can be challenging, and it is common to make mistakes along the way. Some of the common mistakes in a frontside Smith grind include:

• Not Turning Enough: Failing to turn your shoulders and hips 90 degrees towards the obstacle can result in an incomplete grind or a failed attempt.
• Getting Stuck on the Coping: If you do not keep your back foot slightly above the ground, it can get stuck on the coping, causing you to lose balance and fall.
• Losing Balance: Maintaining balance during a frontside Smith grind requires a combination of upper body control and weight distribution. Failing to maintain balance can cause you to fall or miss the grind.

How to Land a Frontside Smith Grind?

Landing a frontside Smith grind requires proper technique and timing. As you approach the end of the obstacle, shift your weight back onto the board and prepare to dismount by popping the tail of the skateboard to initiate an ollie.

As you land back onto the ground, make sure to absorb the impact by bending your knees and rolling away smoothly. Maintain control of the board by keeping your weight centered and using your arms and upper body to balance.

Conclusion

The frontside Smith grind is a stylish and versatile trick that can be performed on various obstacles, including ledges, rails, and coping on a ramp. Learning this trick requires proper technique and practice, but with persistence, you can master it and add it to your skateboarding repertoire.

By following the steps outlined in this article for setting up, performing, and landing a frontside Smith grind, you can improve your skateboarding skills and impress your peers with your style and creativity. Remember to stay safe and wear appropriate protective gear when practicing this or any other skateboarding trick.