Glide Like Lightning: Mastering Crossovers for Faster Ice Skating

Ready to turn heads at the rink and speed past your skating buddies? Grab your skates and let’s break down the magic of crossovers—your ticket to zipping around the ice like you’re starring in an Olympic highlight reel.

1. Trace Some C-Shapes (C-Cuts)

Think of this like drawing big, curvy “C” letters on the ice. You’re essentially scooping the ice with your blade, creating that lovely shape. It may feel a bit odd at first, like you’re back in preschool tracing letters, but trust me, it’s a quick way to warm up your edges and build the foundation for crossover greatness.

2. Lift the Exterior Skate

Now that you’ve got your edges warmed up, it’s time to give your outer skate a little “lift.” Imagine you’re starting a slow dance with the ice, your outside foot gently comes up, then returns. Keep it light and controlled, like you’re testing a new dance move at a wedding without wanting to slip on the floor.

3. Lift the Interior Skate

Next, reverse the dance move. Instead of the outside foot, lift the inside one. This small hop trains your balance, setting you up to handle any unexpected wobbles when you’re finally crossing your feet. If you’re feeling extra fancy, give yourself a mental high five each time you nail this mini lift.

4. Cross and Uncross: The Heart of Crossovers

Time to get into the real action. Move that outside foot across the inside foot, like you’re crossing your legs in a seated position—but on ice. Then uncross by moving the inside foot back out. This step can feel awkward, so give yourself time to practice in slow motion. And here’s the secret sauce: bend your knees. A slight squat keeps you stable and makes it easier to power through.

5. String It All Together

Congratulations—you’ve made it to the crescendo! Now combine all these steps into a single, fluid motion. Trace the C-shape, lift, cross, uncross, and keep those knees bent. You’ll find your rhythm and speed picking up faster than you can say, “I’m the next big thing on ice!” Before long, you’ll be breezing past the other skaters like you’re racing against the clock.

Final Thoughts & Action Steps

🦥 Practice in slow motion: Build muscle memory before upping the speed.

🦵 Bend, bend, bend: Knees are the VIPs of crossover success.

↔️ Work both sides: Don’t forget to practice crossing in both directions.

Ready to feel the rush of a perfectly executed crossover? Hit the ice and give these steps a whirl. And don’t be shy, share your progress on social media to inspire others who want to trade wobbles for wicked fast crossovers.