How to Do Backward Stroking in Figure Skating

Backward stroking is an advanced figure skating technique. To gracefully move across the ice by backward stroking, you must adjust your center of gravity and maintain a heightened awareness of where you and others are on the ice. To execute the move, you first must learn backward swizzles and backward glides.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Stand on the ice and position your heels away from each other. Bring your toes together to create an upside down "V."

2. Keep your toes together, your back straight and your knees bent. Bring your arms out to the sides for balance and center your body weight on the balls of your feet.

3. Push out to the side with one foot, using the inside blade of your skates.

4. Straighten the knee on your pushing leg and bring your heel back in toward your other foot until they are next to each other.

5. Lift your pushing foot off the ice in front of you while gliding on your standing foot. Point your toe down on your lifted foot, keep your back straight and your standing leg slightly bent.

6. Return your foot to the ice.

7. Repeat the backward push, lift and glide with your other foot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you balance your weight too far forward on your toes, you may fall forward and hinder the momentum created by the backward stroking. If your weight is balanced too far back on your heels, you may lose your balance and fall backwards.
• Do not begin backward stroking without checking the ice for other skaters or objects that could cause a collision.

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