How to Crossover Skate in Hockey

Hockey is fast-paced sport that requires nimble skating maneuvers and quick turns to change direction. The most effective method of turning is the crossover. It allows you to continue accelerating or sustaining a fast-paced momentum while in the turn. Learning to cross over your skates takes time and practice. Once learned, you'll never forget how. Crossover turns are an essential skill for success in hockey.

Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect your skate blades for dullness. Have the blades sharpened at your local ice skating arena if dullness is detected, a properly sharpened blade makes it easier to dig an edge into the ice.

    • 2

      Position yourself in front of a faceoff circle. Prepare to start skating around the faceoff circle in the direction that feels most natural; for example, if your right foot is dominant, it might feel most natural to start a crossover with the right foot, moving counter-clockwise around the faceoff circle.

    • 3

      Push off with the foot positioned outside the circle and distribute your body weight on the skate edge of the opposite foot.

    • 4

      Slowly cross the outside foot over, push off the inside foot and distribute your weight back onto the outside foot in a fluid motion.

    • 5

      Slowly cross the inside foot over the outside foot while pushing off the outside foot and shifting your weight from the outside to the inside foot.

    • 6

      Practice the crossover turn by turning around the faceoff circle. Switch directions and practice turning in the opposite direction, starting the turn with your less dominant foot.