The TWO types of Backward Crossover Skating!

If you are a rookie skater or coach rookie skaters, this one is for you! :-)

This video explores the two types of backwards crossovers — picking up both feet and picking up one foot. I was trained by two very good skater coaches and each preferred one style over the other. Which is right? BOTH! You can be effective with either one and to this day, I still switch between the two styles depending on what I need to do in the moment on the track. (next video I will go into which I use for which situations when we explore lateral motion)

The biggest challenge I see for skaters who are working on learning backwards skating is developing more strength/power in the hamstring muscles. In this video, I share some off skates exercises that help develop more balance between your quads and hamstrings.

Deadlift exercises — Keep your back straight, chest lifted, and shoulders back. You should feel the power coming from your glutes and hamstrings, do not put pressure on your back.

To start backward skating, it’s about leading with the hips and pushing your skates back and forth like you would do a sticky skating stride forward, but with your weight in your heels. A little butt wiggle can go a long way! ;-) If you’re still having trouble with balance to learn the backward crossover stride, practice skating backward and lifting up one foot for a second. Then two seconds. And more until you feel stable taking turns lifting both feet. Now you will be ready to take those steps and push, push, push!

Derby love to Bout_Betties!

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