Mastering the Manual: A Core Skate Trick
The manual is a foundational skateboarding trick where you balance on the back wheels while keeping the nose off the ground, rolling with style. It’s like the skateboarding equivalent of a wheelie on a bike and a must-know for chaining tricks like the ollie or kickflip. Whether you’re a beginner learning to ride or an intermediate skater eyeing combos, the manual builds balance and control. Ready to roll? Let’s break it down.
Use our guide and the Skate Tricks app to nail the manual at your local skatepark, found with the Skate Tricks Map!
How to Do a Manual: Step-by-Step
Learning to manual takes practice, but with the right technique, you’ll be holding it smooth in no time. Here’s how to do it in your regular stance:
- Get Comfortable Rolling: Start with a slow, steady roll on flat ground, like a skatepark or driveway. Keep your knees slightly bent and body centered, as you would for an basic ride.
- Shift Your Weight Back: Lean gently toward the tail of the board, placing more weight on your back foot (on the tail). Keep your front foot light near the front bolts.
- Lift the Nose: Press down lightly on the tail with your back foot to raise the nose off the ground. Don’t pop too hard—think subtle pressure, not an ollie snap.
- Find the Balance Point: Use small adjustments with your knees and hips to keep the nose up and the tail just above the ground. Lean slightly forward if the tail scrapes, or back if the nose drops.
- Hold and Exit: Aim to hold the manual for 3–5 seconds, keeping your arms out for balance. To exit, shift your weight forward to lower the nose gently, resuming your roll.
Tips for Success:
- Practice on smooth pavement to avoid wheel bite, as explained in our anatomy article.
- Keep your eyes ahead, not down, to maintain balance.
- Use the Skate Tricks app’s slow-motion tutorials to perfect your foot placement and body lean.
- Start near a wall or grass for safe bails until you’re confident.
Once you’ve got the manual dialed, try variations like the nose manual (balancing on the front wheels) or manual combos with a pop shove-it.
Why Learn the Manual?
The manual isn’t just a trick—it’s a building block for style and creativity in skateboarding. Here’s why it’s worth mastering:
- Improves Balance: Holding a manual sharpens your control, helping with tricks like the 50-50 grind or rock to fakie.
- Adds Style: A clean, long manual looks effortless and sets you apart in street or park sessions.
- Unlocks Combos: Link manuals with flips or shuvs, like a manual to heelflip, for next-level lines.
- Versatile Skill: Use it in flatground, ledges, or transitions, making it a go-to for any terrain.
Practice at a skatepark near you—find one with the Skate Tricks Map—and level up your flow!
Skate Tricks App: Your Manual Mentor
The Skate Tricks app is your go-to for mastering the manual and beyond, with tools to boost your progress:
- Video Tutorials: Slow-motion breakdowns show exactly how to shift weight and balance.
- Skate Dice: Randomize tricks to practice manuals in fun combos.
- Game of Skate: Challenge friends to manual battles, adding a competitive edge.
- Global Map: Find skateparks to practice, with over 30,000 spots worldwide, as featured in our Map update.
Download the Skate Tricks app today and roll with confidence at your next session!