How to Ice Skate Backwards

Last Updated: June 6, 2021 References

Skating backward is essential for figure skaters and hockey players, but it is also useful for anyone who wants to feel relaxed on the ice. While skating in reverse is not a difficult, comfortable balance, speed, and turning all takes some practice. While you will likely fall in the beginning, keep working on your form to be ice skating backward in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Skating Backwards

1
Point your toes inward and make curves with your skates to move backward. The basic idea of skating backward is easy – you push the outsides of your skates forward and out, curve them back to the center of your body and repeat. If your skates could draw on the ice they would paint curvy waves, like a child's drawing of the ocean, across the surface.^{[1]
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- Think of each skate making an “S” shape as you move backward
2
Bend your knees. You cannot skate backward if you are standing up straight. Bend your knees slightly so that your butt drops closer to the ice. Your torso should be upright like you were sitting in a chair.^{[2]
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- As you get better at it, you should be able to lift each skate and put it back down comfortably, but at first, it's to keep them on the ice.
- It is easiest to use the wall or a hockey stick for balance as you start.
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3
Keep your skates shoulder-width apart. Your skates will be pointing directly ahead of you and your shoulders in a straight line over your ankles. This is your "center" as you skate backward. With your skates shoulder-width apart, you have the power and strength needed. Hold onto the wall with both hands for balance.
4
Push off a wall to start moving backward. Focus on keeping your knees bent and back straight as you get used to moving backward. If it is more comfortable for you, lean on a hockey stick for stability.^{[3]
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- If you don't have a hockey stick, rest your hands on your knees.
5
Angle your toes inward as you glide backward. Slowly turn your toes to face each other and you’ll feel your feet start to separate as your skates move outward. Think of skating backward as leading with your heels -- as you toes turn inward, you heels turn out to your left and right, and the rest of your skate follows.
- This does not need to be a big angle. Even slightly angling your feet will work.
- This is the beginning of your "S" shape.
6
Angle your heels inward as your legs split apart. This is usually where people feel the most uncomfortable -- your legs are splitting apart, and they will keep moving apart as long as your toes are pointing in. Turn your skates too so that your heels point back towards your body. As you do you will feel your legs coming back together.
- Again, this does not need to be a large angle. Just turn your feet enough so that you feel your legs gliding back together.
7
Use the muscles in your inner leg to pull your feet back to the center of your body. With your heels turned back to the center, use your groin muscles to bring your skates back to the middle. While you will not bring them this close, imagine you are trying to click your heels together.
- This is the middle point of your "S."
- Focus on keeping your knees bent – this will help you with the power and flexibility needed to control your skates.
8
Curve your feet back to the outside. When you reach your starting position, feet roughly shoulder-width apart, it's time to repeat your curve. Turn your feet so that your toes face inward again, then let them start to glide back out to the side. Pull them in again and repeat -- these are the "S" shaped curves that you need to make.
9
Keep your weight over your feet. One of the most common mistakes people make is leaning too far forward, with their bodies over their toes. Focus on keeping your athletic stance the entire time. A good tip is to put your hands on your knees, using them to support you and prevent you from leaning forward.
10
Keep making “S” curves to move backward smoothly. The “S” curve is the simplest way to move backward on skates. Once you have some momentum, just keep repeating the “S” shape to skate backward, working on transitioning smoothly through each part.
- Start along the wall – knees bent and back straight.
- Push off the wall to gain some momentum.
- Turn your toes in and move your feet apart.
- Pull your legs back together by turning your toes out and pulling in.
- Turn your toes to the center again as your feet approach each other.
- Repeat to skate backward.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Learning the "C" Cut

1
Use the “C” cut to skate backward quickly. The “C” cut, named because your skates make small C shapes in the ice, is the most common way to skate backward with speed. Your knees are bent and your torso is upright as you alternate pushing your skates out and then arcing them smoothly back in.
- Stay near a wall or lean on a hockey stick to help with your balance as you start to practice.
2
Bend your knees into an athletic position. Comfortably bend your knees so that you can quickly move your feet. It is difficult to spring into action with your legs straight. You should be able to easily lift your skates and balance. For a good athletic stance:^{[4]
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- Knees bent.
- Torso upright, not slouching.
- Back straight.
- Shoulders relaxed.
3
Face forward with your skates shoulder-width apart. Point your skates in front of you, keeping them roughly shoulder-width apart so that you can balance and skate comfortably.
4
Take small steps backward. Shuffle your feet as if you were slowly backing away from something. Think of pushing yourself back with each little step, building backward momentum.
- You can also push off of a wall to get started.
5
Point your toes inward. As you’re shuffling backward, point the tips of your skates slightly towards each other. You should start to naturally move backward faster.
6
Push to the right with your right foot. With your toes facing inwards, push out and away from your body. This is the top half of the “C” shape. Push from the middle of your blade as if you were trying to sweep something off of the floor with your skate.^{[5]
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7
Pull your right heel back to the center. Bring your skate back to the center of your body by leading with your heel. After pushing out and to the side, turn your heel to face your left foot. Your toes will turn to face forward as you return, completing the "C" shape.
- Your foot should return to where it started, with both skates facing forward.
8
Straighten your right skate. Once you've finished the "C," turn your right skate so it faces forward, returning to it's starting position.
9
Push forward and to the left with your left foot. As you return your right foot to the center, start the "C" shape with the opposite foot by pushing it out and forward. Circle it back around to center and repeat, alternating each foot to gain momentum.
10
Bring it all together with quick, power cuts. Skating backward quickly is crucial for figure skaters and hockey players, so you need to practice all of the steps together to learn a smooth, speedy motion.^{[6]
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- Start in a strong stance – knees bent, torso upright, feet facing forward.
- Point one toe in as you begin to push.
- Push forward and out with your skate, using the other foot for balance.
- Curve your foot back to the center in the shape of a C
- Repeat with the opposite foot.
- Alternate feet quickly to build speed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing Direction with Crossovers

1
Use crossovers to change direction while skating backward. Crossover steps are a simple way to move around. You simply cross one foot over the other, letting your momentum continue moving you backward.
- For this explanation, all of the examples will be to move ‘’’right.’’’ To move left, simply switch the feet in the directions.
2
Stand up straight, knees slightly bent. Crossovers can be done moving forward or backward, but to practice, you should start from a standstill.
3
Bring your left foot up and over your right foot. Set your skate down on the ice with your legs crossed at the knee.^{[7]
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- You should look a little like a young kid who needs to go to the bathroom.
4
Bring your right foot behind your left calf. Uncross your legs by bringing your right foot around the back of the left and setting it down on the ice. You should be back to your original standing position.
5
Repeat this crossover motion to move horizontally. Keep crossing over to move laterally across the ice.
- Try a few in reverse if you are comfortable, put your left leg behind your right before bringing the right foot over the left.
6
Start gliding backward. You can push off the wall, make perfect “S” shapes, or speed along with “C” cuts. Gain some momentum and then relax, gliding backward.
7
Perform a crossover to change directions. As you move backward, cross your left leg over your body then quickly uncross your legs with your right foot. When done correctly, you should shift horizontally while maintaining backward momentum.
- Think of the motion you make if when you start running to your right. Your left leg takes a step to the right and then your right leg quickly follows.
- Practice Drill: Do two "C" cuts, one with each leg, and then one crossover. Do two more cuts, then a crossover the other direction.
- ’’’Practice Drill:’’’ Skate backward around the edge of the rink, and use crossovers to change direction in the corners. Skate both clockwise and counter-clockwise to practice both directions.

Community Q&A

Question

Do these methods work when skating with socks?

Community Answer

Of course they do, as everyone skates with socks.
Question

Which of the three types is the easiest and makes you less likely to fall?

Community Answer

Method 1 is the easiest and is usually the first skating technique used when learning to skate backwards.
Question

I'm at level 2 ice skating, but I can'd do back swizzles. Can someone help?

Seth Boeh

Community Answer

Backwards swizzles are pretty similar to forward ones, just as backwards skating is similar to forwards skating. It's as simple as learning to do things in reverse. To do a backwards swizzle, start with your feet straight up as if you're standing. Then, slightly bend your knees. In one quick motion, point your toes to each other and push backwards. Make sure your body isn't too far forward, or you'll fall. Then, after you have gained speed by pushing backwards, moves your heels towards each other and push inwards. Then, repeat the motion of moving your toes towards each other and pushing outwards, and so forth.

Warnings

Make sure you have plenty of space to practice -- it is difficult to turn and stop when you first begin and this can lead to dangerous crashes.

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