Backward Crossovers...?

Question

I'm having problems doing my backward crossovers. I keep catching my right toe pick after I've crossed my left skate over my right skate. It happens when i shift my weight onto my left foot and try and remove the right foot into the normal position. Sorry if this seems a little confusing, but It's the best way I can explain it!

Has anyone got any tips?

Answer 1

make sure your left foot has all the weight balanced correctly before you pick your right foot off of the ice...

i also find that it helps to bend both knees A LOT ....imagine you're Michelle Kwan or someone...that's how i figured it out

good luck~!

Answer 2

With backwards XOs I've found that you have to bend your knees more than you think and be a little more twisted up than you think (that underpush!).   I visualize sitting in a chair although you don't really push your butt out that much, but visualizing that helps me get in the right position.  Also, your upper body being rotated into that circle is essential - that includes your back arm (leading arm).

Here's an exercise that really helped me when I thought I would never learn back XOs.  Stand still with your feet about shoulder width apart, or a little less than shoulder width.  Now pivot to the left without moving your feet - meaning, turn each foot to the left while standing in the same spot.  Each skate turns in place.  When you've turned so that you're facing the opposite direction, your left foot will be crossed over your right.  That's what the crossed feet should feel like.  

Now try this with a little movement.  Do the same pivot, but your skates will want to start traveling in a CCW direction.   Pressure on your left foot on the inside edge while you're pivoting - that's the first push, and on your right foot, press on the outside edge without lifting your left foot off the ice. After pushing, just lift your right foot and place it back to where you're standing normally.  When you get comfortable, reach it farther in and "grab" more ice to push under.

In this variety of crossover you don't lift the crossing foot off the ice, but it's great for learning the underpush.   It felt more stable to me than lifting and crossing because you don't lift up from the bent knees ever so you're not falling onto crossed foot.

Answer 3

your right arm has to be in front and your left arm extended in the direction of travel, the right crosses over  in front and the left arm extended in the dirction of tranvel. Then th left foot is raised and placed beside the right. Make sure you keep your kee bent throughout the xover. I hope I was helpful. Good Luck!

Answer 4

hi=) thats my problem too=( why dont you ask your coach?

Answer 5

try to pull your toe up. your blade should actually be parallel to the ice so your toe wont catch. there are actually two pushes in the crossover and the under blade is actually pushing!! so your toe shouldnt be catching because you need to push with your whole blade...try to use your edges more

there is the first push that will be with your left skate, and the second which will be with the under foot/right skate. thats how you gain the most speed.  

its difficult to learn because of this very problem. most skaters do have it at first but then become more familiar with the crossovers and feel more comfortable and it almost 'naturally' begins to go away. so my best advice is practice practice practice!!

it also may help you to focus on your posture. make sure your standing up straight, bending your knees, your belly button and shoulders are directly over your hips and skates. you should be looking backwards facing into the circle you are making in doing the crossovers.

:) good luck!!