While doing a manual on a classic skateboard takes a lot of balance, doing a manual on a fingerboard is actually pretty easy. It is one of the basic tricks when learning how to fingerboard and will be a foundation for the rest of your tricks. It’s the peanut butter to your jelly.
The Shred Line
What a Manual on a Fingerboard is:
Riding on 2 wheels.
Just like doing a manual on a skateboard however you will be doing it with your fingers.
How long it takes to Master:
Instant (however it is good to practice for a while if you are brand new to get a good feel for the board and how it moves.)
How to Perform a Fingerboard Manual:
Find your balance:
Begin by placing your fingers on the board. Your middle finger in the middle of the tip of the tail of the board and your pointer finger in the middle near the middle of the board.
Lift the front wheels:
Gently tilt the nose of the fingerboard upward by applying slight pressure with your middle finger. This action will lift the front wheels off the ground, leaving you balancing solely on the back wheels.
Maintain stability:
As the front wheels lift off, focus on maintaining your balance by keeping your fingers steady and adjusting the tilt of the fingerboard as needed. Find that sweet spot where you can maintain the manual for as long as possible.
Control your movements:
Use subtle finger adjustments to control the tilt and balance of the fingerboard. Lean slightly forward or backward to maintain stability and prevent the board from tipping over.
Practice Moving:
Get comfortable moving the board around. Being comfortable with how the board feels and how it moves it crucial to success when it comes to learning more tricks.
Getting the Right Gear:
From Tech Deck Fingerboards to more advanced, learning how to manual can be done on any fingerboard. You can even learn how to put foam grip tape on your tech deck for big changes that only cost a few dollars.
How to do a Nose Manual on a Fingerboard
Do the same thing as above, however..
The goal is to lift the back wheels off the ground.
Find your balance:
Put your first finger in the middle of the front of the front of the board and your middle finger in the middle of the middle of the board.
Lift the back wheels:
Gently tilt the tail of the fingerboard upward by applying slight pressure with your pointer finger. This action will lift the back wheels off the ground, leaving you balancing solely on the front wheels.
Manual Tricks on a Fingerboard: Beginner Level
Ramps
When your just starting out to learn how to fingerboard, one of the best ways to get practice and start to master it is by using ramps.
Step 1) Manual up the Ramp
Just like you learned earlier, just take is nice and easy and start to Manual up the ramp.
Step 2) Make it to the top
This part might take a little practice, but once you are to the top, you want to use your middle finger to get the tail of the board against the ramp. A simple, but cool stall trick.
Step 3) Pop the Board Off the Ramp
While the trucks of the board are stalled on the ramp, do a Manual against the ramp. You will find the trucks slip away from the ramp and you can smoothly ride down the ramp.
Step 4) Ride to Glory
Nose Manual Tricks on a Fingerboard: Beginner Level
Ramps
Step 1) Get fingers in Nose Manual Position
Just like we talked about above, get your fingers ready to do a nose manual and start skating towards the ramp you are ready to dominate!
Step 2) Prepare to Manual the Nose
Once you start to get near the top, it is the perfect combination of timing and skill. You must nose manual just at the right time.
Step 3: Land the Nose Stall
Just practice a few times and you will be amazed how quickly you can nail this trick!
Step 4) Ride to Glory
Finish off the stall, by pushing your middle finger down and easing up on your first finger. You will quickly find the ramp and be able to ride it down to glory.
Next Steps: Manuals to Rail Slides
Now it where it really starts to get fun! With just a little practice, you can start turning anything into a fingerboard park (or you can buy some really cool fingerboard sets!)
Manual to a Tail Slide
Step 1) Find a Edge to Manual Over
No matter where you are, you can find an edge! Simple start to manual over the edge.
Step 2) Catch the Tail on the Edge
This make take a couple tries, but before you know it, You will be doing it like a pro!
Step 3) Ride that edge to glory!
Nose Manual to Rail Slide
You may need to buy or build a custom skatepark for this one, however, it is worth the payout! Get ready to have a ton of fun, with just a little practice!
Step 1) Get in Nose Manual Position
Get your fingers in the nose manual position, just like we practiced. Then start heading towards the ramp.
Step 2) Nose Manual onto the Rail
Once you get right near the top, prepare to start your nose manual. With a little practice, You will be able to do it every time!!
Step 3) Ride that Rail Down
Take that rail as far as you can. Once you get the hang of it, the only limit will be how long of a rail you can find.
Step 4) Ride to glory
Simply hop off the rail, and ride down. You now prepared to nail your next trick on the shred line!
You can now do a Manual on a Fingerboard!
Thank you for reading through our detailed guide on how to do a manual on a fingerboard. We hope it made sense and was truly useful in your journey to fingerboarding mastery.
Please leave your comments and questions below—we’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to check out our full fingerboard tutorial page to continue mastering the shred.
Shred on