How to Do the Cross Hair in Roller Skates

The cross hair, or crossover technique, in roller skating provides more speed. Roller derby players need this speed to take turns as quickly as possible to get ahead of the other team. While learning the crossover for the first time, your body experiences a dilemma in crossing over your feet, so you have to practice off your skates at first. However, if extremely comfortable with roller skates and wearing protective gear, start practicing while on your skates to jump ahead.

Instructions

    • 1

      Stand without skates in front of a horizontal, full-length mirror. Cross your right foot over your left or left foot. Step out with your left and cross over again with your right, continuing to move in one direction.

    • 2

      Put on your skates and practice the crossover technique in grass or on a matted surface. Once you get the hang of doing the crossover, move to the skating rink and practice going in a horizontal line or hold on to the side rails and practice stepping through the crossover.

    • 3

      Move back from the railing. Push off with one foot and step over with the other foot.

    • 4

      Push with the same foot and crossover with the same foot as long as you want to turn in the same direction. Change the order if you want to turn in the other direction. Stay by the railing at first until you get the hang of this exercise.

    • 5

      Move away from the railing and start skating forward. As you come to a left-hand turn, push off with your left foot and cross over with your right. Push with your left foot again to start the next crossover. Complete this slowly. Build up speed as you grow more comfortable.