The 50-50 is usually the first trick you will learn on a rail or box, and is possibly the easiest to get to grips with. Let’s see how it goes.

Step One.

The 50-50 can be simply described as riding along an obstacle in a straight line. So for starters, lets practise riding in a straight line, with a flat base.

The technique to use is to flex through your knees and ankles so you can feel the board “glue” too the floor, nice and flat. You don’t want to be on an edge. Keep your shoulders inline with your board and keep your head up to look towards where you are travelling.

Step Two.

Once you have had a few goes, lets take the same technique to a short, low rail or box that you can ride on to and practise.

Approach the obstacle with a bit of speed, but not too fast.

As you approach the obstacle, keep that stance relaxed and look at the front of the obstacle, where your board will ride onto it.

As you ride onto the obstacle, stay relaxed and shift your concentration towards the end of the obstacle. Try not to look at your feet.

Keep your stance relaxed and feel for the board running flat along the rail or box, you should feel it almost “suck” onto the rail.

As you approach the end of the rail, look for your landing. Don’t try and jump out of your 50-50, but instead use the speed you have to drop off and ride clear.

As you land absorb the impact with your knees and ankles, take a second to compose yourself and then ride away smooth.

You have just nailed a 50-50.

Hints and Tips.

Repetition will make any trick easier, so get to practising your 50-50’s.

Remember to stay relaxed and keep the flex in your knees and ankles throughout the trick.

Making sudden movements while in a 50-50 can be a bad thing. Keep cool and concentrate on what’s going on. Try not to move your shoulders and keep looking at the end of the rail stay relaxed in those legs and feet to control your board.

Avoid the temptation of jumping off a rail. Jumping at this stage may make you loose your balance and fall on you landing – when you get to the end of your trick, relax, absorb the landing and ride away.

Riding into the rail is key, so make sure you are comfortable with riding into the obstacle with a flat base. Riding in on an edge could end in tears!

Jumping into a 50-50 requires a more practise and good awareness, take it easy and build up to bigger, more technical hits.

The 50-50 can be used on just about any rail or box…the obstacles just get bigger and more technical, so choose your obstacle wisely!