HOW TO DO A SKATEBOARD MANUAL; STANDARD, NOSE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Posted on 16 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in HOWTO, MANUEL, skateboarding
0

How to do a Skateboard Manual: Standard, Nose, and Everything In Between

Few tricks are as timeless—and as deceptively hard—as the manual. At first glance, it’s just a balancing act. But get deeper into it, and you’ll find that manuals are a cornerstone of technical skateboarding. They build control, style, and open doors to a massive world of combos and creativity. Whether you’re trying to lock in a straight manual, nose manual, or dial into more advanced trick-to-manual lines, this guide breaks it all down—frontside, backside, and beyond.

Where Did the Term “Manual” Come From?

The term “manual” is borrowed from BMX culture. In BMX, a manual is essentially a wheelie—riding only on the back wheel while keeping the front lifted. Skateboarding adopted the term in the late ‘80s, and it stuck. Unlike BMX, though, skateboarding manuals rely solely on balance—no brakes, no handlebars—just foot positioning and core strength.

The Basics: What Is a Manual?

A manual in skateboarding is when you balance on the rear wheels of your board while rolling. The board’s nose is lifted off the ground, and the trick is maintaining balance for as long as possible without dragging your tail. The nose manual is the reverse: balancing on the front wheels with the tail lifted.

How to Manual (Standard Manual)

Foot Position: Place your back foot squarely on the tail (not the pocket) and your front foot just behind the front bolts.
Speed: Start with moderate speed. Too slow and you’ll lose momentum; too fast and you’ll fly out.
Pop + Lean: Slightly pop your tail and lean back, lifting the front wheels. Do not ollie. This is a rolling lift.
Find the Balance Point: Your hips should be centered over the back truck. Arms help you stabilize.
Eyes Up: Don’t stare at your feet—look ahead. Your board will follow your line of vision.
Exit: Gently lean forward to level the board before putting all four wheels down again.

How to Nose Manual

Foot Position: Front foot goes on the nose; back foot on or just behind the rear bolts.
Shift Forward: Instead of leaning back, this time shift your weight over your front foot.
Balance the Lift: Lift your rear wheels while keeping your body from leaning too far forward.
Keep It Level: Too steep, and you’ll dip your nose. Too shallow, and the tail will drag.
Arms Out: Arms should be wide and low for balance. Your knees should be bent and engaged.

Where to Learn Manuals

Start on smooth, flat ground—preferably in a skatepark, parking lot, or smooth sidewalk. Painted lines or tile seams can help you judge how far you’re going. Manual pads (low boxes) are ideal for progressing because they add stakes without the intimidation of a full ledge.

Tricks Into Manuals

Manuals get really fun when you start throwing tricks into them:

Ollie to Manual: A staple. Ollie up onto a pad or box and land in a manual position.
Kickflip to Manual: Pop a flip trick, catch it, and balance straight into a manual.
Shuvit to Manual: Scoop your board around and land directly in a manual.
Heelflip to Manual: A little harder to catch, but stylish and clean when done right.

Pro tip: Flick tricks into manuals require confidence and commitment—bail a few and keep going. Foot positioning is everything.

Tricks Out of Manuals

Once you’ve got the balance, take your manuals to the next level by popping out of them:

Manual to Ollie Out: A clean, basic exit.
Manual to Kickflip Out: A flashy finish that requires precise foot flicking and timing.
Manual to Shuvit Out: Scoop with your back foot while exiting.
Manual to 180 Out: Rotate your body and board out of the manual. Stylish when done slow and smooth.

Nose Manual Variations

Nollie to Nose Manual: Nollie up onto the pad and catch into a nose manual.
Switch Ollie to Nose Manual: Approach switch stance and ollie into a nose manual like a boss.
Nose Manual to Nollie Flip Out: An advanced tech combo that’s a go-to for modern skaters.

Combining Tricks (Manual Lines)

This is where manuals shine. Think of manuals as the link in a chain:

Ollie up > Manual > Kickflip out
Heelflip in > Nose Manual > Shuvit out
Manual > 180 out > Fakie manual > Half-Cab flip out

The possibilities are endless—and that’s why manuals are so important in progression and video parts.

Style Over Everything

A great manual isn’t just long—it’s clean. Think of pros like Daewon Song, Joey Brezinski, and Brandon Biebel. Their manuals are buttery because they’re confident and controlled. The flicks are sharp, exits are precise, and they never look like they’re “trying” too hard. It’s a flow.

Common Manual Mistakes

Looking Down: Keep your head up and shoulders level.
Overcorrecting: Too much movement kills balance. Stay loose but locked in.
Speeding In Too Fast: Learn control before going full-send.
Feet Too Wide: Close them in a little to center your weight.

Final Thoughts: Manual Mastery

Manuals aren’t a trick you learn once and check off—they’re a never-ending test of control. Whether you’re skating a crusty parking lot or filming a buttery ledge line, manuals prove your board control is real. They’re the thread that links tricks together and the subtle flex in any part. Mastering manuals opens up a whole new world of flow, combos, and respect.

Get your balance, stay patient, and remember—it’s not just about staying on two wheels. It’s about style, control, and creative vision. Happy manualing.

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.