Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Skating backwards
• Method 2 of 3: Learn the "C" stroke
• Method 3 of 3: Change direction with crossovers
• Tips
• Warnings

Backward skating is essential for figure skaters and hockey players, but it's also helpful for anyone who wants to feel relaxed on the ice. While backward skating is not necessarily difficult, it requires some practice, such as balance, speed and pirouettes. While you will likely fall a lot at first, keep working on your form to be skating backwards in no time.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Skating backwards

1. Point your skates inward and make curves with your skates to move backward. The basic idea of ​​skating backwards is simple: you push the outside of your skates forward and out, bend them back to the center of your body and repeat. If you could draw skates on the ice, they would paint curvy waves, like a child's drawing of the ocean, across the surface.
   • Remember that each skate makes an "S" shape when you go backward.
2. Bend your knees. You cannot skate backwards when you are standing upright. Bend your knees slightly so that your butt is closer to the ice. Your upper body should sit upright like in a chair.
   • As you get better at it, you should be able to lift each skate and put it back down comfortably, but in the beginning it's better to keep them on the ice.
   • It is easiest to use the wall or a hockey stick in the beginning to keep your balance.
3. Keep your skates shoulder-width apart. Your skates point directly in front of you and your shoulders are in a straight line over your ankles. This is your "center" when you skate backwards. With your skates shoulder-width apart, you have the power you need. Hold the wall with both hands for balance.
4. Push off a wall to back off. Concentrate on keeping your knees and back straight as you learn to skate backwards. If it's more comfortable for you, lean on a hockey stick for stability.
   • If you don't have a hockey stick, put your hands on your knees.
5. Turn your toes in as you slide back. Slowly turn your toes together and you will feel your feet slide apart as your skates move outward.Think of backward skating as heel leading - as your toes turn inward, your heels turn left and right, and the skates will follow.
   • This does not have to be a big angle. Even a slight angle with your feet will be enough.
   • This is the beginning of your "S" form.
6. Turn your heels in as your legs part. This is usually where people feel most uncomfortable - your legs will slide apart and they will keep moving apart as long as your toes point inward. Also, turn your skates so that your heels are facing your body again. By doing that, you will feel your legs coming together again.
   • Again, this doesn't have to be a big angle. Simply rotate your feet enough so that you feel your legs slide back together.
7. Use the muscles on the inside of your legs to pull your feet back to the center of your body. With your heels back to the center, use your groin muscles to bring your skates back to the center. While you're not bringing them that close together, imagine trying to tap your heels together.
   • This is the center of your "S".
   • Focus on keeping your knees bent - this will help you develop the strength and flexibility needed to control your skates.
8. Turn your feet out again. When you've reached your starting position (with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart), it's time to repeat the turn. Turn your feet so that your toes are facing in again and then slide them back to the side. Pull them back in and repeat - these are the "S" shaped curves you need to make.
9. Keep your weight above your feet. One of the most common mistakes people make is leaning too far forward, with their body above their toes. Concentrate on maintaining a dynamic attitude all the time. A good tip is to put your hands on your knees and use them to support you and keep you from leaning forward.
10. Keep making "S" turns to move smoothly backwards. The "S" turn is the easiest way to go back on skates. Once you gain momentum, keep repeating the "S" shape to skate backward and work towards a smooth transition to each part.
    • Start along the wall - knees bent and back straight.
    • Push off the wall to get some momentum.
    • Turn your toes in and move your feet apart.
    • Pull your legs back together by turning your toes out and pulling in.
    • Turn your toes back to the center as your feet approach each other.
    • Repeat to skate backwards.

Method 2 of 3: Learn the "C" stroke

1. Use the "C" shot to skate backwards quickly. The "C" shot, so called because your skates make small C shapes in the ice, is the most commonly used method for skating backwards quickly. Your knees are bent and your torso remains upright as you alternately push your skates out and then pull them in smoothly.
   • Stay close to a wall or lean on a hockey stick to help with your balance when you start practicing.
2. Bend your knees in an athletic position. Bend your knees comfortably so that you can move your feet quickly. It is difficult to take action with straight legs. You should be able to lift and balance your skates easily. A good dynamic posture looks like this:
   • Knees bent.
   • Torso upright, not lanky.
   • Back straight.
   • Shoulders relax.
3. Face forward with your skates shoulder-width apart. Point your skates in front of you and keep them roughly shoulder-width apart so that you can balance and skate comfortably.
4. Take small steps back. Slide your feet as if you were slowly backing up. Remember to push yourself back with every small step, building backward momentum.
   • You can also push off a wall to start.
5. Point your toes inward. As you slide backwards, you align the tips of your skates slightly towards each other. You have to naturally deteriorate faster.
6. Push to the right with your right foot. Push with the toes pointing in, out and away from the body. This is the top half of the "C" stroke. Push from the center of your skate iron as if you were trying to sweep something off the floor with your skate.
7. Pull your right heel back to the center. Return your skate to the center of your body by guiding with your heel. After pushing out and to the side, turn your heel toward your left foot. Your toes will turn forward when you return, completing the "C" stroke.
   • Your foot should return to where it started, with both skates facing forward.
8. Straighten your right skate. When you are done with the "C", turn your right skate so that it faces forward and returns to its starting position.
9. Push forward and to the left with your left foot. As you return your right foot to the center, start the "C" stroke with the opposite foot by pushing it out and forward. Turn it back to center and repeat, alternating each foot to gain momentum.
10. Now combine it all into fast, powerful strokes. Fast backward skating is crucial for figure skaters and hockey players, so you need to practice all the steps together to learn a smooth, fast movement.
    • Start from a strong stance - knees bent, torso upright, feet facing forward.
    • Point one toe inward when you start to push.
    • Push your skate forward and out, using the other foot to balance.
    • Return your foot to the center in the shape of a C.
    • Repeat with the opposite foot.
    • Switch feet quickly for speed building.

Method 3 of 3: Change direction with crossovers

1. Use the crossovers to change direction while skating backwards. Crossovers are an easy way to move. You just cross one foot in front of the other and let your momentum move you backward.
   • In this explanation, all examples will refer to right to move. To move left, just switch feet in the clues.
2. Stand upright, knees slightly bent. Crossovers can be moved forwards or backwards, but to practice you must start from a standing position.
3. Bring your left foot up and over your right foot. Imagine skating down on the ice with your legs crossed at the knee.
   • You have to look a bit like a young child going to the bathroom.
4. Bring your right foot behind your left calf. Cross your legs by moving your right foot behind the left and putting it on the ice. You should be back in your original standing position.
5. Repeat this crossover move to move horizontally. Keep persuading to move sideways across the ice.
   • Try a pair in reverse if you're used to them - put your left leg behind your right foot before bringing the right foot over the left.
6. Start sliding backwards. You can push yourself off the wall, make perfect "S" shapes, or go faster with "C" strokes. Increase your momentum and then relax by sliding backwards.
7. Do crossovers to change direction. As you move backward, cross your left leg in front of your body and then quickly undo the crossing of your legs with your right foot. When done correctly, you should start sliding horizontally while maintaining the backward momentum.
   • Think about the movement you make when you start running to the right. Your left leg takes a step to the right and your right leg immediately follows.
   • Practice: Do two "C" strokes, one with each leg, then a crossover. Do two more strokes and then crossover in the other direction.
   • Practice: Skate backwards around the edge of the track and use crossovers to change direction in the corners. Skate both clockwise and counterclockwise to practice both directions.

Tips

• Always keep your knees bent when skating.
• Don't just go from the first step to the third, but be patient until you master one step.
• Start at the wall and use it to keep your balance as you learn.
• If you're having a hard time getting started, hold on to the wall and take baby steps. Make sure you don't spread your legs too far or have your legs too close together or you could fall.

Warnings

• Make sure you have enough room to practice - it's hard to turn and stop when you first start and can lead to dangerous falls.