Tailgrab
also known as: Tail Grab
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Shown for a regular-footed rider. Teal ring + arrow = the rider's facing direction; teal band = the tail; a dot is where a hand holds the board - bright yellow for the front hand, amber for the back one, which is the whole difference between a mute and an indy. Board and rider rotate independently - each follows its own component. Drag to orbit.
How it works
The back hand grabs the tail - a short reach with a big stylistic payoff, since holding the tail lets the rider kick the nose up and forward into a boned-out shape. Physically the grab shifts control of the board's pitch to the rear hand: the front leg is free to extend, which is why tailgrabs tweak so naturally and why the benihana borrows this grip.
Step by step
- Air off the lip and compress, letting the tail rise toward your trailing hand.
- Reach the back hand down and slightly behind to grip the tail's tip.
- Bone the front leg forward, pushing the nose out while the hand anchors the tail.
- Hold the stretched shape through the peak of the air.
- Retract the front leg, level the board with the wrist, release and land below the coping.
Body mechanics
| Front foot | Extends forward into the bone, sole staying flush with the grip. |
|---|---|
| Back foot | On the tail right beside the grabbing hand, sharing the anchor point. |
| Shoulders | Lean back slightly as the nose kicks up; keep them square to the direction of travel. |
| Arms | Back hand grips the tail; front arm punches forward with the boned leg for balance. |
| Gaze | Down the wall at the landing, past the extended front foot. |