Is manual balance genetic?

[Groondor the Orc]

I feel like some people just got it like that and in truth there’s no way to learn how to get good at manuals if you don’t got it.

[Gnarfunkell]

Naw

get gud

[Sandwich Marty]

I come from a lineage of manualers dating all the way back to the Daewonian empire. I basically never had to work for manuals because of it. Although personally I’m kinda jealous of the transition tribes and wish I could fly like their ancestors did. But all have a part to play and so I balance effortlessly as a tribute to the ancient ones.

[dr.prestige]

I presume so, I’ve been trying to learn nose manuals for damn near 20 years and haven’t progressed much with them since then. I’ve pretty much given up hope at this point

[jorge]

I come from a lineage of manualers dating all the way back to the Daewonian empire. I basically never had to work for manuals because of it. Although personally I’m kinda jealous of the transition tribes and wish I could fly like their ancestors did. But all have a part to play and so I balance effortlessly as a tribute to the ancient ones.

I come from a long line of go fast dirtbag ATV guys unfortunately we have evolved/devolved to lose wheelie muscle.  This explains why you see so few manuals with work vests on.

[ChuckRamone]

I think some people definitely have a talent for it that can be honed to amazing levels of control, and others have to work really hard to do basic manual tricks.

Unfortunately, I'm in the latter group.

[SatanicPanic]

I suck badly at manuals but I'm not sure I want to start blaming genetics just yet

[Noble Experiment]

I come from a lineage of manualers dating all the way back to the Daewonian empire. I basically never had to work for manuals because of it. Although personally I’m kinda jealous of the transition tribes and wish I could fly like their ancestors did. But all have a part to play and so I balance effortlessly as a tribute to the ancient ones.

Daewon kills it at transition, so sounds like you might not come from a Daewonian empire lineage. You might want to take some ancestry tests, cuz it sounds like you might’ve come from the Brezenskian empire instead.

[WashingtonNECKTIE]

well my grandad had nollie nose manny and I have fakie manny, not sure how that plays out since we're opposite stances and opposite handedness

[Sandwich Marty]

Expand Quote

I come from a lineage of manualers dating all the way back to the Daewonian empire. I basically never had to work for manuals because of it. Although personally I’m kinda jealous of the transition tribes and wish I could fly like their ancestors did. But all have a part to play and so I balance effortlessly as a tribute to the ancient ones.

[close]

Daewon kills it at transition, so sounds like you might not come from a Daewonian empire lineage. You might want to take some ancestry tests, cuz it sounds like you might’ve come from the Brezenskian empire instead.

That’s why grandpa never let us look inside that trunk in the attic 😭

[Benicio El Toro]

I drive a manual and my dad does not.
Genetic manual balance.

[Groondor the Orc]

For manual balance you need balance in other areas. In terms of physicality this is an inherited trait, and therefore a genetic component of every manual skater. Studying Joey Brezinski in depth I noted that he has an estimated height of 5'10" and a weight of approx 70kg. To assess his balance lets apply the golden rato, which applies mathematical theory to proportion and balance.



The Golden Ratio Theory of Manual Skateboarding

Elite manual skaters like Joey Brezinski may possess a genetic advantage rooted in golden ratio body proportions (φ = 1.618:1).

The Evidence:

Joey Brezinski stands 5'10" (177.8cm) and weighs 70kg - measurements that create near-perfect golden ratio proportions:
- His navel height (~110cm) divides his body at approximately 1.618:1
- This places his center of gravity at the mathematically optimal point for two-wheel balance

Manual tricks require sustained balance on two wheels - an act of continuous mathematical recalibration. Skaters whose bodies naturally conform to golden ratio proportions enjoy inherent advantages:

1. Optimal leverage: Center of mass positioned at the golden mean creates ideal weight distribution
2. Efficient adjustments: Proportional limb lengths allow faster, more precise corrections
3. Reduced effort: Natural balance of proportion and limb length requires less muscular compensation

Most world-class manual specialists share similar characteristics. OF COURSE...you still need to practice to become elite, but those skaters with a genetic advantage might need to proactice for e.g. 5,000 hours to achieve what would take a less physically/genetically advantaged skater 10,000 hours or more.

[tzhangdox]

yes. so its not my fault

[Sincerity]

- This places [the] center of gravity at the mathematically optimal point for two-wheel balance

This is why I jelq.

[layzieyez]

I learned nollie nose mannies tripping on acid.

You could speed up your learning by starting there.

Kidding.

I did "wheelies" on my fiberglass banana board before I got around to ollies and ollie manuals.

How strong is your core to support the act of balancing on two wheels? If the infrastructure is weak, it's unfair to expect your midsection to keep the truck and two wheels aloft.

Get a slackline and balance on that maybe? Also, it's amazing how much a dirty set of ears can affect your balance.

[bluedohdohs]

I sucked at mannys until I just started doing em stationary on hard floor in the house (tape socks or rags around back wheels or w.e opposite wheels of whatever manny you’re trying) at least that’s good practice something to do when it’s too wet/cold to skate outside
Now I still suck but my mannys have gotten better
I’m pretty deaf & had a big ass shard of glass enter the left side of my head or skull as a kid always wonder if that had an effect on my equilibrium

[91FeelGoodOnWood]

You just had to bring Joey Brezinkski into this…

[noxiousPond]

I’ve thought about this before and came to conclusion that skateboarding itself is genetic and that is why I am still fucking terrible at it.

[camel filters]

Sorta related, has there been a manual skater who's fat? I think core strength and being light helps.

[rawbertson.]

A short manual is harder than a longer one if there is a flip out…. Manuals are more about quality than distance etc I don’t even think scraping the nose and tail really matters actually. If someone even just did bs flip up half cab flip down that would be very impressive but of course doing it without touching is slightly more impressive and perfection. I just don’t know if the juice is worth the squeeze necessarily….

[camel filters]

Manuals are more about quality than distance etc I don’t even think scraping the nose and tail really matters actually.

[Willie]

I think manuals are deceptively influenced by equipment.

I can walk a tightrope (sort of), balance on a bongo board forever, but my manual game is weak.

Aside from general suckitude, I think a lot of this stems from the vagaries of skate hardware. Because of the way trucks are designed, your hinge point is offset from your fulcrum. Height and X-axis offset varies. Location of kicktail changes things too.

It’s more about adapting to a setup than simple balance.

[Jort250]

Not to add fuel to the fire but I feel like being a bit shorter dosent hurt

[bluedohdohs]

I think manuals are deceptively influenced by equipment.

I can walk a tightrope (sort of), balance on a bongo board forever, but my manual game is weak.

Aside from general suckitude, I think a lot of this stems from the vagaries of skate hardware. Because of the way trucks are designed, your hinge point is offset from your fulcrum. Height and X-axis offset varies. Location of kicktail changes things too.

It’s more about adapting to a setup than simple balance.

Man proud on you on the tightrope n etc n i’m a lil mindblown because i figure tightrope would correlate with the other but nah i think it’s mainly genetic disposition
Just like skating as a whole, most of us on here probably just get it compared to the average foo but the manny game? You can practice & hone your craft to be decent but some cats just have it like that, some of us can practice to get there the rest of us just don’t like KB said on the bunt
N that’s alright

[Groondor the Orc]

You just had to bring Joey Brezinkski into this…

Math brought Joey Brezinski into this he has mathematically perfect scale...my assumptions on his weight and limb measurements would give him divine proportions. Maybe someone can DM him and request laser pointer measurement of his entire body, it would really help with my investigation.

Daewon is 5/6" and around 66kg so his ratio is different but would probably give him an advantage over Joey on quick changes of state because he has a lower centre of gravity with a more stable base. We can use the formula I = mr² to calculate Daewon's advantage in terms of torque and directions changes...it is no surprise then that Daewon excels in faster more explosive manual variations and Joey's are slower and more upright.

[lurkluke]

I suck at manuals. Never had em good. Only times ever felt like a fluke. But I also don't like watching manual skaters (for the most part) so whatevs.

[Groondor the Orc]

I suck at manuals. Never had em good. Only times ever felt like a fluke. But I also don't like watching manual skaters (for the most part) so whatevs.

Check your ratio.

[Noble Experiment]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I come from a lineage of manualers dating all the way back to the Daewonian empire. I basically never had to work for manuals because of it. Although personally I’m kinda jealous of the transition tribes and wish I could fly like their ancestors did. But all have a part to play and so I balance effortlessly as a tribute to the ancient ones.

[close]

Daewon kills it at transition, so sounds like you might not come from a Daewonian empire lineage. You might want to take some ancestry tests, cuz it sounds like you might’ve come from the Brezenskian empire instead.

[close]

That’s why grandpa never let us look inside that trunk in the attic 😭

Good thing you didn't look, it's nothing but used FP insoles and bowling balls.

[Sondor]

wheelbase also matters much
I remember the first time skating with ventures and I was pretty much struggling manualing some spot that was first or second try before that
other than that, they are good trucks

[GAY]

I've honestly always wondered if this is what Lady Gaga was talking about with the song "Born this Way".