Backward crossovers are a type of skating maneuver in which the skater crosses one foot over the other to travel around corners. This move helps the skater quickly generate speed and power while skating backward. Hockey players use backward crossovers to move toward the puck or defend the goal, and figure skaters rely on this skill to build speed to jump and rotate in the air. Master backward crossovers before moving on to advanced maneuvers.
Step 1
Practice gliding on the edges of your skates. All ice skates have a U-shaped groove down the middle of each blade and a sharp edge along each side. The edges of the blades near your big toes are the inside edges, and the edges near your pinkie toes are the outside edges. Most skating moves, including backward crossovers, are done on these edges, not on the entire bottom of the blade. While skating backward, shift your weight so you're traveling on a curve in one direction, then try the other direction. This gets you used to the edges used during backward crossovers.
Step 2
Stand on the ice with your feet parallel and your knees bent. With both feet on the ice, point your right toe toward your left toe so your right heel points out to your side at an angle. Trace your right blade along the ice in a C-shaped curve so the heel of your right skate meets the heel of the left, with the right toe pointing out to the side. Practice this C-push on both feet until you can perform it comfortably and consistently.
Step 3
Glide backward, and shift your weight so you're traveling on the left outside edge and right inside edge of your skates. Hold your left arm out behind you and your right arm in front of your body, with both arms parallel to the ice.
Step 4
Bend your knees as you do a C-curve push with your right foot. At the end of the push, cross your right foot over your left foot. Hold this position as you shift your weight to your left foot.
Step 5
Move your right foot back next to the left foot, and repeat the C-push, then cross the right foot over the left again. Repeat this motion to link your backward crossovers together as you travel around the rink.
Step 6
Change directions. Skate backward and shift your weight so you're traveling on a right outside edge and a left inside edge. Bend both knees and extend your left arm in front and your right arm behind you. Do a C-push with your left foot, then cross it over the right. Shift the weight into your right foot, then bring the left foot back to your side and repeat.
Tips and Warnings
- Try performing backward crossovers on the hockey circles at your rink. These circles can serve as a guide to keep you traveling on the correct edges. Study the advanced skaters at your rink or on TV. Watch how they bend their knees deeply when performing backward crossovers. The more you bend your knees, the more power and speed you generate with crossovers.
Things You'll Need
- Ice skates
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