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Crossover Starts

Start from a side-on stance with a crossover step to reach top speed in a few strides.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Stand sideways at a cone.

Core: Crossovers. Aim for smooth edges and compare only with your own last time.

Ages
14 and up
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Skates, ice, 2 cones
Level · skill
Advanced · Skating

The steps

How it works

  1. Stand sideways at a cone.
  2. Cross your back leg over and drive off the inside edge.
  3. Take 4 hard strides to the next cone.
  4. Do 6 each direction with full rest.

Coaching point

Cross over, drive, stay low.

Safety: Wear a helmet with a full cage, a neck guard, a mouthguard and full gear on the ice.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Skate follow-the-leader: one person leads a pattern of glides, crossovers and turns and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (glides), Core (crossovers), More (crossovers with a turn). Aim for smooth edges and compare only with your own last time.

Story

You are a figure skater drawing shapes on the ice.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for smooth edges and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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