How to Do Forward Crossovers in Figure Skating

A forward crossover is a sequence of curved skating steps in which one skate crosses over the other and your weight transfers smoothly to continue around a circle. First learn secure forward glides, gentle curves and controlled stops; then practise the stepping pattern with a coach on both clockwise and anticlockwise circles. Crossing your feet is only part of the skill.

What does a forward crossover actually do?

Forward crossovers help a skater continue moving around a bend without repeatedly stopping to reposition their feet. Each crossing step changes which skate supports the body and which blade edge contributes to the curve. At a more developed level, the strokes generate and preserve flow instead of becoming hurried little steps.

The U.S. Figure Skating technical overview explains crossovers through skating on a curved path, shifting weight between blades and eventually using the pushing foot underneath the body. Those components develop gradually; a beginner does not need powerful under-pushes on the first day.

The distinction matters because a movement can resemble a crossover visually while lacking the balance needed to control it. A coach should check your edge use and weight transfer, not merely whether one boot passed in front of the other.

Which skills should come first?

Before trying moving crossovers, you should be comfortable gliding forwards, changing direction on a broad curve and slowing down deliberately. Forward one-foot balance and an understanding of inside and outside edges are especially helpful.

In Learn to Skate USA's Basic Skills pathway, the curriculum progresses from fundamental forwards and backwards skating into edges and turns. An Australian rink's Aussie Skate progression likewise introduces crossovers only after introductory skills. Neither sequence is identical to Axel's independent tier structure.

If you still need the boards for a two-foot glide, remain with those basics. If you skate comfortably but feel unsure on one foot, ask your instructor for a simpler curve or step exercise first.

Understanding the two edges during a crossover

A figure-skate blade has a running inside edge, on the big-toe side, and an outside edge, on the little-toe side. When you travel around a circle, the skate nearer the centre and the skate farther from the centre play different roles.

For a typical anticlockwise forward crossover, the left skate glides on a forward outside edge as the right skate steps across. Weight then moves onto the right skate's forward inside edge. With coaching, the left foot can develop a controlled push as it comes out from under the body. The exact placement depends on your stage of learning.

For a clockwise circle, the roles reverse. Learning both is important because being comfortable in one direction does not automatically make the other safe or controlled. For the terminology, see how inside and outside edges differ.

How can a beginner practise the crossing pattern?

Use a quiet lesson space and follow a coach's cues. This simplified progression describes what to look for, not a stand-alone drill for crowded public ice.

1. Follow a broad circle. Start with small forward strokes and keep a steady, manageable pace.
2. Balance on the supporting skate. Let the curve develop without forcing the shoulders to steer the whole body.
3. Step the outside foot across. Place it under control onto the ice in front of the other skate as your coach demonstrates.
4. Transfer weight deliberately. The new skating foot should actually support you rather than both feet briefly tangling.
5. Recover the trailing foot. Bring it into position for the next stroke while keeping the motion continuous and calm.
6. Repeat in the other direction. Slow down and simplify if one side is less secure.

Begin with the stepping action before trying to add power. You may practise individual parts of the movement separately. Avoid copying an elite skater's deep lean or speed; that technique is built on much stronger foundations.

What should your upper body do?

Your posture should support the curve instead of fighting it. Generally, skaters need a controlled knee bend, a stable trunk and awareness of the direction of travel. But there is no universally useful instruction to hold the shoulders at one exact angle for every learner.

Ask your instructor to observe the relationship between your shoulders, hips and skating foot. If the upper body turns sharply while the skates remain flat, the curve may feel unstable. If you lean away from the intended direction, you may have difficulty transferring weight onto the new edge.

The U.S. Figure Skating skating-skills progression guide distinguishes developing posture and edge quality from merely completing the crossover pattern. This is why both form and flow are worth discussing with a coach.

Common crossover mistakes

Crossing without shifting weight. The crossing foot touches down but never becomes the supporting foot. Slow the movement and revisit one-foot balance.

Looking down at the boots. You need awareness of where you are heading and who is sharing the ice. Your coach may ask you to look along the circle while learning the sequence.

Using only the preferred direction. A clockwise crossover is not interchangeable with an anticlockwise one. Note which direction needs more work rather than declaring the entire skill complete.

A fourth mistake is trying to add powerful pushes before you can place the skates reliably. More speed magnifies a small loss of control. Simplify the exercise before increasing pace.

How do you know if a crossover is improving?

Look for controlled entry, distinct transfer of weight, consistent curved travel and a calm finish. A repeatable sequence in the teaching area is stronger evidence than one fast lap. Ask your coach whether the intended inside and outside edges were actually used.

If you record a short clip, only do so with permission and an unobstructed filming position. Review one feature at a time: the placement of the crossing foot, your balance when it lands or how much you have to adjust between steps. Video cannot on its own verify blade-edge quality.

How does this map to Axel's skills?

The current Axel fixed catalogue has separate skills for Forward Crossovers Anticlockwise and Forward Crossovers Clockwise in Novice 3, with fixed identities novice-3--forward-crossovers-anticlockwise and novice-3--forward-crossovers-clockwise. This is Axel's tracking convention, not an Australian or U.S. test-equivalence claim.

Use the figure-skating roadmap to see where those skills sit alongside edges and stroking. Record each direction separately and use your instructor's feedback to decide when it is reasonable to mark either one as mastered.