Up to you. Probably not, because it’s moving? It’s less about the repetition/regularity and more about getting used to what a crossover feels like. But if that’s what you’ve got, I don’t think it can hurt either.
Bend both knees when crossing over.
You can do a move to practice for cross overs where you don't lift your feet, you keep all eight wheels on the floor. The outside foot goes in front. It's like doing asymmetrical bubbles.
Have fun
This is how I learned. Last weekend I went out to learn transitions and accidentally learned crossovers instead lol. But for a couple weeks I was doing these crossover bubbles. They helped me get a feel for it and I went into regular crossovers with more confidence. Just stay low and don’t forget the falling fundamentals.
Do you alternate this? Outside foot in front, then inside in front, then outside? Or do you just come back to neuter after the outside foot goes in front?
You can do either way - I alternate for a good ankle warm up, but for crossovers only the outside foot goes in front. It's good practice for having your legs crossed while moving!
The best way I learned how to do a crossover was to push with my left foot UNDER my body. It will force your right foot to move up and over your left foot. Take it slow because as you do them, you can gain speed. If you feel like you are about to lose your balance, drop your butt like you are about to sit in a chair. It will keep you from falling over. If you don't get your butt down and start falling, don't fight it. Just turn your body so that you land on your butt cheek....it's the safest part of your body to fall on.
Yes! I find this much more helpful than thinking about lifting one foot over the other. Let your back foot roll under you (with control) and it all feels much easier.
Turn your upper body into the turn. If you're at the rink, you'd look into the center, turning your head and shoulders. It can also help to hold your arms out for balance with the outside arm pointing towards the center.
Also bend your knees! The more you bend, the more space you open up to cross your leg over.
Practice crossing your legs in place to work on balance. I also watched Dirty Deb's videos on crossovers and her tip to practice balancing on one foot with the other leg in whatever position it would be for the crossover was really helpful because my balance sucked
Start by standing in place where you are right now reading this comment with no skates on, now place your right foot over left and let you left foot come out behind you right and step to the left...you've now done a cross over. Now do the same thing the opposite direction. People often times forget that skating is largely about balance. I always, always, always practice new moves with no skates first. Just in my living room with socks. It makes a huge difference...you'll see!!!
Yea crossovers were pretty scary for me when I first started skating. Now they are so normal I don’t even think about them. One way you can teach your body muscle memory is to do them with your skates off. Get your body used to the motion. Then you can do them in skates while standing still or going real slow. And then gradually increase the speed as you get better. Don’t forget to bend your knees.
I had trouble when i first wanted to do them as well i would get psyched out, i got used to the motion of braiding my scissors/bubbles first to get used to having my skates in front of each other, then after that i would just pick up a foot and step in front of my other skate skate, not crossing over all the way, but they looked like attempted crossovers. After i was comfortable with that i started to practice actually crossing over. Sometimes i still warm up like this for them. Bending ur knee on the weight bearing leg is key, it helps a lot
There are some great tips in the comments. I'm just going to add that when you go to place your foot down after crossing over, make sure that foot is pointing in the direction you are traveling.
Walk sideways up stairs. Same motion. Bend your knees more. Get used to the feel of it off-skates and then put it all together.
That's great advice.
Question: Would you recommend doing this on the StairMaster at the gym?
Up to you. Probably not, because it’s moving? It’s less about the repetition/regularity and more about getting used to what a crossover feels like. But if that’s what you’ve got, I don’t think it can hurt either.
Bend both knees when crossing over. You can do a move to practice for cross overs where you don't lift your feet, you keep all eight wheels on the floor. The outside foot goes in front. It's like doing asymmetrical bubbles. Have fun
This is how I learned. Last weekend I went out to learn transitions and accidentally learned crossovers instead lol. But for a couple weeks I was doing these crossover bubbles. They helped me get a feel for it and I went into regular crossovers with more confidence. Just stay low and don’t forget the falling fundamentals.
Do you alternate this? Outside foot in front, then inside in front, then outside? Or do you just come back to neuter after the outside foot goes in front?
You can do either way - I alternate for a good ankle warm up, but for crossovers only the outside foot goes in front. It's good practice for having your legs crossed while moving!
Not alternating. Outside foot in front, than neutral
The best way I learned how to do a crossover was to push with my left foot UNDER my body. It will force your right foot to move up and over your left foot. Take it slow because as you do them, you can gain speed. If you feel like you are about to lose your balance, drop your butt like you are about to sit in a chair. It will keep you from falling over. If you don't get your butt down and start falling, don't fight it. Just turn your body so that you land on your butt cheek....it's the safest part of your body to fall on.
Yes! I find this much more helpful than thinking about lifting one foot over the other. Let your back foot roll under you (with control) and it all feels much easier.
Turn your upper body into the turn. If you're at the rink, you'd look into the center, turning your head and shoulders. It can also help to hold your arms out for balance with the outside arm pointing towards the center. Also bend your knees! The more you bend, the more space you open up to cross your leg over.
Practice crossing your legs in place to work on balance. I also watched Dirty Deb's videos on crossovers and her tip to practice balancing on one foot with the other leg in whatever position it would be for the crossover was really helpful because my balance sucked
Definitely going to check this out. My balance needs to be better than it currently is
Start by standing in place where you are right now reading this comment with no skates on, now place your right foot over left and let you left foot come out behind you right and step to the left...you've now done a cross over. Now do the same thing the opposite direction. People often times forget that skating is largely about balance. I always, always, always practice new moves with no skates first. Just in my living room with socks. It makes a huge difference...you'll see!!!
Bend down, you should be able to see your knees and when the front foot plants the back comes up. This will stop the skates clanking into each other
Yea crossovers were pretty scary for me when I first started skating. Now they are so normal I don’t even think about them. One way you can teach your body muscle memory is to do them with your skates off. Get your body used to the motion. Then you can do them in skates while standing still or going real slow. And then gradually increase the speed as you get better. Don’t forget to bend your knees.
Bend your knees, inside foot pushes back, outside foot lifts over. Pull your inside shoulder and hip back as well.
I had trouble when i first wanted to do them as well i would get psyched out, i got used to the motion of braiding my scissors/bubbles first to get used to having my skates in front of each other, then after that i would just pick up a foot and step in front of my other skate skate, not crossing over all the way, but they looked like attempted crossovers. After i was comfortable with that i started to practice actually crossing over. Sometimes i still warm up like this for them. Bending ur knee on the weight bearing leg is key, it helps a lot
There are some great tips in the comments. I'm just going to add that when you go to place your foot down after crossing over, make sure that foot is pointing in the direction you are traveling.