How to Do a Crossover on Inline Skates

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Last Updated: May 11, 2023

Have you ever wanted to become a hockey player, or skate around the park without loading speed on turns, or just simply just show off to your friends? Then you might want to learn how to cross over. A cross over is a turn by stepping over your foot and is used so you don't lose speed in a turn. Practise and anyone can do it. This means you. A difficult skill to learn at first, once you've mastered it, you can actually gain speed when turning.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Yourself

Try them on in good sports shoe retail stores and get some help from the assistant with sizing and fit.
First up, you need to learn how to go forward and balance on them. Before attempting a crossover, you should already know how to move, turn, and stop.
Even a pair of wrist guards can save you an expensive trip to the ER, so do yourself a favor wear the pads.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Doing a Crossover

This can be a skating rink, playground, basketball court or any surface that is flat and you have enough space to turn.
2
Practice in place. If you can't do it standing still, don't try it moving. In this case, it's a good idea to grab onto a wall or stand on a rug and practice stepping over your feet. When you feel comfortable with the supported position, then try doing it without holding on to a wall or standing on a rug.
- Remember to bend your knees and put your weight on the foot you are stepping over, you couldn't do it off skates.
Move slowly when you are trying to cross over. Start off very slowly, then fully step over your feet (don't do a half step), while leaning into the turn. Once you've done it, take your back foot and put it next to your other foot and regain your balance.
Start to turn left and while doing so take your right foot and put it over your left foot, pushing with your right foot until your left foot is in front of your right foot again. Don't trip over your left foot, you must move it out of the way.
Don't expect to do ten of them in a row flawlessly. Just practice doing it and and try to do it going faster and cross over again with less time to recover.

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Tips

Try it backwards!

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If you'd like, try using a stick to guide you. Don't let the stick touch the ground but let it guide you through the turn.

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Don't be afraid to fall. When you fall - if you're not hurt - shake it off, and get back up.

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Warnings

If you have been trying for a long time, take a break and try it later. You don't want to end up hating skating because you overdid it.

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Wear your pads because chances are you will fall.

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Don't skate at night. It's harder to see cracks and bumps that can make you fall.

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It's exercise; it will dehydrate you. Remember to drink plenty of water.

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Skate with a buddy. You can never know what could happen.Don't skate at night without a buddy.

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