How to Do Backward Crossovers in Figure Skating

In the backward crossover, the figure skater moves backwards across the ice in a circular motion. Figure skaters use this move as a bridge to other more complex skating steps. A backward crossover is harder to perfect than a forward crossover since you have to keep your balance while looking backwards over your shoulder.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stand on the hockey circle in the middle of the ice rink with your feet parallel to each other and your right foot touching the circle.

2. Extend your left arm in front of you and your right arm behind you, turning your head in toward your right arm so that you are looking in a counter-clockwise direction.

3. Bend your knees and bring your left heel out to the side. Push out with the inside edge of your left skate and perform a single backward swizzle. Stay on the outside edge of your right skate and the inside edge of your left skate.

4. Pick up your left skate and cross it over the top of your right skate. Place it on the ice so that the outside edge of your left skate is next to the outside edge of your right skate.

5. Slide your right skate backwards and around the back of the left skate. Bring your skates parallel to each other, with both inside edges next to each other as in the original starting position.

6. Glide backwards on both feet keeping your skates on the right outside edge and the left inside edge

Tips & Warnings

• To do a backward crossover in a clockwise direction, turn your body so that your left foot is on the hockey circle. Extend your right arm forward and push and cross with your right foot.
• Once you are confident with backward crossovers, your speed will increase and eventually your feet will never leave the ice. Instead of picking your foot up from the ice, the single outside swizzle continues in front of your inside foot.

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