Q&A for How to Ice Skate Backwards

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  • Question
    Do these methods work when skating with socks?
    Community Answer
    Of course they do, as everyone skates with socks.
  • Question
    Which of the three types is the easiest and makes you less likely to fall?
    Community Answer
    Method 1 is the easiest and is usually the first skating technique used when learning to skate backwards.
  • Question
    I'm at level 2 ice skating, but I can'd do back swizzles. Can someone help?
    Seth Boeh
    Community Answer
    Backwards swizzles are pretty similar to forward ones, just as backwards skating is similar to forwards skating. It's as simple as learning to do things in reverse. To do a backwards swizzle, start with your feet straight up as if you're standing. Then, slightly bend your knees. In one quick motion, point your toes to each other and push backwards. Make sure your body isn't too far forward, or you'll fall. Then, after you have gained speed by pushing backwards, moves your heels towards each other and push inwards. Then, repeat the motion of moving your toes towards each other and pushing outwards, and so forth.
  • Question
    If forward crossovers are done by pushing off with one leg, crossing over the other leg, and pushing with the other leg before crossing it back under and then repeating, should I cross the pushing leg backwards and return to the original position by crossing the other leg back over?
    Gooperstar
    Community Answer
    Yes. Once you have done your crossover, take the foot that was crossed over and move it to the side to prevent falling down/tripping.
  • Question
    How do I do a crossover?
    Community Answer
    To start in a clockwise direction, you must have your arms up like you're holding a giant cookie (don't be a pretzel). Push off on the right leg on the outside edge following a circular pattern. Bring your left foot up and over the right foot and place it down on the inside edge of the ice. Immediately push off and under using the right foot. Then place the right next to the left and push off straight away into the next crossover.
  • Question
    Will this work with roller skates, too?
    Community Answer
    Yes! However, you will need to be more conscious of your weight distribution and on which set of wheels (inside or outside) you are pushing off of. Trying these techniques on a smooth surface or roller skating rink will make skating backwards a lot easier and safer.
  • Question
    Will I trip if I get a crossover wrong?
    Community Answer
    There's always a possibility of tripping over your own feet when attempting this. If you fall down, just get back up and try again.
  • Question
    How do I do a 1-foot glide backwards?
    Community Answer
    Before learning the 1-foot glide backwards, I suggest learning how to do one forward first. You will also need to be comfortable with going backwards first. When you lift up your foot in the 1-foot glide backwards, make sure that your balance is centered over your left hip and you aren't dropping your right hip, because if you continue skating, it is bad to get in the habit of dropping your right hip in jumps (makes it harder to get around the jump) and spins. Also, when you get more comfortable with skating, try going faster. Speed is the key, just like riding a bike. If you are going too slow and run out of speed, you will fall down (mainly when on one foot).
  • Question
    How long does it take to learn how to ice skate backwards?
    Arynna
    Community Answer
    It depends on how easily you can learn and how good you are in skates. With lots of practice, you can learn how to skate backwards in just a few weeks!
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