# Air & Grab Tricks

Part of the Skating Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/skating/guide/index.md)

*2. Option D — Skateboarding*

> **2d14d.** Air and grab tricks

Air tricks involve the skater leaving the skating surface — most often launching above the lip of a ramp or bowl — and grabbing part of the board during the airborne phase. The grab stabilizes the board, adds style, and in more advanced tricks, allows rotations. Demonstrate at least one trick from this category.

### Common Air and Grab Tricks

**Frontside air:** Approach the lip of a ramp riding frontside (your toes toward the wall). Launch above the lip, grab the toe-side edge of the board (most commonly a melon grab or frontside grab), and land back in the transition.

**Indy grab:** In the air, reach down with your back hand and grab the toe-side edge of the board between the trucks. One of the most classic and versatile grab tricks.

**Stalefish grab:** Grab the heel-side edge of the board between the trucks with your back hand, reaching behind your back leg.

**Mute grab:** Reach with the front hand across to grab the toe-side edge between the trucks. Requires more flexibility than the Indy.

**Method air:** A classic vert trick — the board is grabbed on the heel-side edge with the back hand while the knees are bent up and back, creating a distinctive silhouette.

### Executing an Air and Grab

1. Build enough speed to launch clearly above the lip — at least a foot of air is needed to have time to grab and let go before landing.
2. As you go airborne, commit to the grab: reach down deliberately and grab the board.
3. Hold the grab briefly, then release before your wheels reach the transition again.
4. Bend your knees upon landing to absorb the impact.

> **Tip**
>
> If you are new to air tricks, start with a low-consequence grab (like an Indy) on a small quarter pipe or mini ramp. Focus on getting consistent air height before adding the grab — a solid air without a grab still demonstrates the category if paired with a grab on a subsequent attempt.

## Official Resources

Video: [Frontside Air (video)](https://youtu.be/4tz-HFSoEZY)

Video: [Grab Tricks (video)](https://youtu.be/UEYsZH49H_o)

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