How to Do Backward Swizzles in Figure Skating

Mastering backward swizzles helps the figure skater to move onto backward glides and backward stroking. Proper posture and keeping enough pressure on your skates are the keys to maintaining balance and movement during backward swizzles.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stand on the ice, pointing your toes inward and your heels out to the sides. Your skates should look like an upside down "V."

2. Bend your knees over your skates and center your body weight above the front half of your skates. Keep your back and neck straight and put your arms out to the side for balance.

3. Use the inside edge of your blades and push out to the sides to start a backward swizzle. Allow your skates to glide in opposite directions until your feet are approximately shoulder-width apart.

4. Straighten your knees and pull your heels in toward your body. It should feel as if you are drawing a circle on the ice with your skates.

5. Bring your skates together at an even pace so your heels come under your body at the same time.

6. Turn your ankles out to the sides and bring your toes together again.

7. Re-bend your knees and push out to the sides on the inside edge of your blades to continue backward swizzles.

Tips & Warnings

• Skating backwards requires concentration and an awareness of your surroundings. When first learning backward swizzles, you should have a friend or coach watch your path so you can concentrate on the movements. Eventually, you must learn to look over your shoulder to avoid collisions with the wall or other skaters.

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