My Roller Hockey Saga (Part 3)

Question
Okay, lol, time for another question.  I have been getting the hang of pivoting in one spot 90 degrees/180 degrees and using that as my stopping technique, but when I actually tried just skating around, I realized that I didn't know how to turn without pivoting/stopping.  I read somewhere about crossovers or something like that, but I'm just not really sure what that means.  Also, I'm not sure if this was what you were supposed to do, but one of the times when I spun 180 degrees, I didn't stop, and I continued to skate backwards.  That was a new experience, in that I had know idea how to skate backwards, even though I was uncontrollably moving in that direction.  So, I was just wondering if you could shed some light on this whole crossover thing for making wider turns as well as a little bit more detail into how to skate backwards (and maybe even some transitions from forward to backward or vice versa).  Oh, and I come from Missouri, so out here there aren't very many skaters, and even less hockey players, so I don't have very many sources of information for help, lol.  Thanks again.

Answer
Hi again.....<g>
  This is great that you're learning so much so quickly.

Ok...for turning forward to backward then continue skating backward:

   You actually already have the idea because the set up is pretty much the same as it is for the 90 degree hockey stop.  With roller blades you have 2 choices of how to turn to backward.  You can do a small 2 foot jump to backward or you can do a regular turn.

2 foot jump to backward:
   Do exactly what you did for the 180 degree hockey stop but this time bend both of your knees and as you start coming up to jump, start bring the right shoulder over to the other side. (9:00)   Now you are backward and can still continue rolling backward. Recover from the jump then start pushing with the little steps that I mentioned in a previous letter.  Toes pointed inward, taking small marching steps with pressure towards the big toes.  

   Once your comfortable skating with the little steps, then start to slow them down and take longer strides but still keeping the toes pointed towards each other.  If you feel your tipping forward and rolling off the toe wheels, just stand up straighter and bend your knees more.

Regular turn to backward:
   Same set up as the 90 hockey stop.  Just once you're almost completely turned around take most of the weight off of the right foot.  Actually, picking up the right skate all together is what you want but start by just taking most of the weight off the right skate slightly before you complete the 90.  

   Start by skating forward with both feet on the ground   but the majority of the weight on the right skate.
   Bend both knees then as you start to straighten your knees move the right hip and shoulder to 12:00.  Once you reach 12:00 get the weight off the right skate and completely onto the left skate.  Now you can skate backward without stopping.

   The only thing that would keep you from rolling once you're backward is having to much weight remain on the right skate.  So you have to get on the right skatebefore the turn, then get off of it after the turn.  

   If you have trouble getting the right skate off of the ground slimply lean to the left before you go into the turn.  That will lighten the right foot so it comes up easily.   

Turning from backward to forward:  
Your body facing 12:00, right shoulder at 3:00, left shoulder at 9:00.  Put the weight on your right skate and move your right arm and shoulder all the way across the front of you until it reaches where your left shoulder use to be....3:00.  Now you're forward again.

Same thing for turning the other way but now put the weight on your left skate and move your left arm and shoulder over to where your right shoulder use to be.

Crossovers:    (one foot crossing over the other)

Right foot over left:  You won't always have to do this but I would learn the cross over this way and it will keep you from locking your skates together.

Lean to the left. (right side higher than your left side)Put your right arm at 12:00 and your left arm at 9:00.  Balance on your left skate then lift your right skate up and over your left skate.  Once the right skate takes the ground, get the weight off of the left skate and put it back along side the right skate.  Don't get stuck with both skates on the ground after the cross.

  To balance on one skate, move your nose and belly button over the skate that you want to balance on. Sounds silly but it works.  By keeping your right side higher than your left and bringing your nose over the left skate, you should be able to keep the right skate in the air long enough to cross it over the left skate.

Left foot over right:  Use the same technique but now you have to lean to the right.  The left side should be higher than your right side and your nose should be over the right skate.  Balance on the right skate, then lift the left skate up and over the right skate.  Make sure once the left foot crosses over and is on the ground that you lift the right skate and put it back next to your left skate.

I would practice both left and rightcrossovers.   The right over left might feel more natural but I would learn them both.

When ever you practice anything try to work both side.  Do the move to the right, then do it to the left.  Everyone always has a favorite side but try to keep them even.  For every left turn or crossover that you do, then do the right one too.  This way both directions will come natural eventually.
   
 Well, I think I covered your questions but if you want me to explain anything in more detail, just let me know.  I'll be looking forward to your next question about other skills you want to learn.

Take care
Pat