Cross strokes

A push from the outside edge of the foot about to leave the ice, the legs crossed above the knee.

Also called cross stroke or free skate cross strokes. Other names.

Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

You start each stroke with the feet crossed and take the power from the outside edge of the foot that is becoming the free foot. U.S. Figure Skating’s definition adds that the legs cross above the knees, and its Bronze skating skills test asks for forward cross strokes down one length of the rink and backward ones down the other.

Above the knee is the distinction that matters. In a crossed step, in front or behind, the legs cross below it. Ice Skating Australia writes cross rolls and cross strokes as one item in its Canasta Tango work. U.S. Figure Skating defines them separately and does not say how they relate, so this guide keeps both pages.

U.S. Figure Skating also asks for them at Adult Silver and adaptive Gold.

Build on

• Left forward outside cross rollLFO to RFO: a step onto the other foot, still travelling forwards, and the lobe reverses.
• Forward strokingThe forward length of U.S. Figure Skating's Bronze cross strokes is forward stroking with the push taken from the outside edge of a foot crossed above the knee.
• Backward strokingThe backward length of U.S. Figure Skating's Bronze cross strokes is backward stroking with the push taken from under a crossed leg.

Appears in