How to Turn On Roller Skates (as Known As Crossover)

Crossovers can be difficult, even though they are fun to learn. You’ll be roller skating for the rest of your life if you master your crossovers.

Crossovers are something you must master on roller skates.

Why? Because corner navigating is one of the fastest ways to lose speed or momentum.

It’s All About Micromuscles

Remember that it’s all about micro muscles for all your new moves!

I can now do things that were impossible for me when I started because of my lack of strength and balance (both controlled by muscles).

I wasn’t unfit, but rollerskating requires specific muscles to develop over time.

So… How To Turn While Roller Skating?

Step 1: Locate a flat & smooth surface.

A flat and smooth area is the best place to learn crossovers. It would be ideal to have a tennis court, basketball court or school blacktop.

Find a flat area free from traffic, cracks, potholes and other obstructions. You should also scan the area for small rocks, twigs and any other items that might cause you to trip.

Step 2: Practice single-foot balance

Crossovers are impossible if you can’t balance on either foot for long periods. Crossovers require you to balance one foot while pushing the other foot off the ground.

You should be able to stand on one foot and balance well in your roller skating journey. You can glide with one foot for a few seconds and maintain perfect balance.

Practice single-foot balance while alternating your feet until you feel comfortable.

Crossovers on a flat surface are not recommended if you haven’t yet learned balance. Start practising single-foot balance on a rug or carpet.

Step 3: Strengthen your Outside and Inside Edges

At this point, you are not trying to move forward. You’re only focusing on strengthening your outside and inside edges. Stand with your hands out and your core strong.

Ensure that your shoulders are straight. Your hips should be straight.

Now shift half your body’s weight to the opposite side, putting one foot in front.

Next, place your weight over the outside edge of your foot by tilting it. Repeat the process with the other foot.

Then, hold two outside edges with both feet simultaneously.

Next, hold your inner edges. Begin with the same position as above, bend your knees and transfer your weight to the inside. You can do the same thing with each foot simultaneously.

Because you will need these edges to do crossovers, you’ll be learning both the outside and inside edges.

Step 4: Step over your feet.

Now bend your knees and keep your feet low. Next, stand straight and place your feet on the ground. Then, lift your foot and shift your weight to the foot that is standing.

Keep your outside edge solid with the foot you have planted on the ground. This can be done as many times as necessary to reach a comfortable position.

Once you are comfortable crossing your feet, cross your other foot with the standing foot. Continue doing the same steps until you feel comfortable.

Step 5: Make a Small Forward Glide and Turn Left.

Start skating at a slow speed. Next, continue the motion I just described. The stabilizing foot no longer remains stationary. It is now moving.

Let’s go left. Turn your head so that your upper body and head face the direction you are moving in.

Next, place your inner foot on the boot’s edge and press down with your baby toe.

This will create a strong outer edge which keeps you stable and gliding smoothly.

Your nose and knees should be in line with the direction you are turning. Your upper body should be facing the direction you are moving in. To lower your centre of gravity, keep your knees bent. You should lean into the turn in the same way you would when riding a bike.

Push out with your outside foot as your inner foot glides along the ground. Push out with your right foot’s an inside edge.

Once you are done pushing, lift your left foot (right foot) to cross over.

The reason for doing that is you transfer your weight over to the standing one.

Next, touch the inside edge of your right foot (or outside foot) and land.

Once your right foot touches the ground, push off on the outside edge of the left foot and replace it. You can repeat this motion until you feel comfortable.

To Turn Right Using Crossovers

Start gliding slowly to turn to the right. Next, lean into the right turn. Turn your head so that it points in the direction of travel.

To open your shoulder, turn your head. This should allow you to open your hips. The force will be transferred to your foot by your hip. To increase the force received from your shoulder, you may have to open your hips a bit more.

Now, launch into an outside edge with your right foot while gliding and transferring your weight to this foot. Then, push out on the left foot’s an inside edge.

After the left-foot push is complete, you can use your other foot to cross the gliding foot and land on the inside edge. Replace the right foot, and you’re done.

This move can be practised until you master it. This is not something you can learn in one practice session. For somebody, It can take many years to perfect a crossover. This doesn’t mean that you can’t master this trick in one week.

You’ve now learned how to perform crossovers rollerskating. Now you need to practice until they become effortless.

Biggest Crossover Mistakes Roller Skaters Made

1. Losing power and spinning wheels at the end of each stride.
2. Lopsided skating.
3. Crossing “over.”
4. Too little weight transfer

Conclusion

Crossovers are essential for anyone who needs to turn fast while rolling around the track.

At first, this crucial move seems complicated. However, one day, you will realize that the moves are all connected.

Then you feel light in your eyes. You suddenly find yourself making right and left turns effortlessly.