Performing effective crossovers is one of the most important aspects of hockey skating. Many players lose speed when shifting into the crossover position but through these techniques you can maintain your speed more consistently.

The Technique
In this article, I would like to cover over the proper technique of power skating crossovers. Being able to generate power when crossing over is an effective way to lose the opposition, explode up the ice or get an extra jump on the back check. In order to perform effective crossovers, proper body positioning is a must. The proper body positioning technique is as follows: knees bent, chest facing the direction of the turn, head looking into the turn and the inside shoulder positioned slightly up.


The Importance of the Inside Foot
When performing crossovers, most of the "push" should come from the inside foot. By driving the foot underneath when crossing over more speed can be generated. The lower the knee bend, the more effective the crossover will be. To get a powerful push, you must start and finish your push on the outside edge of the inside skate (the skate that is closest to the inside of the direction of turn). When I teach this in my clinics, I notice that most players tend to fall when trying to generate the push. It is not so much that their knees aren't bent or they are pushing wrong however, it is that their upper body is out of alignment.


Upper Body Position Very Important
I believe that the most important part of the crossover comes from the position of the upper body. As mentioned, the inside foot is generating the power. To eliminate falling and remained balanced, the inside shoulder must be positioned "up". By doing this, it causes the inside hip to transfer over the inside skate. In turn, putting all the weight directly over the foot that is generating the push. Thus, the player remains balanced throughout the crossover no matter how hard he/she pushes.