Crossovers are one of the most essential skating moves in hockey.

Whether you’re accelerating around a defender, cutting sharply into open ice, or circling during a tight turn, smooth and explosive crossovers give you the edge.

They combine balance, edge control, lower-body power, and coordination—all skills that translate directly to real-game performance.

In this guide, we’ll break down the mechanics of a proper crossover, common mistakes, on-ice and off-ice drills to improve your technique, and tips to help you master this foundational skating skill.

Why Crossovers Matter in Hockey

  • Improved agility during tight turns and transitions

  • Explosive acceleration around corners or off the wall

  • Greater edge control for maintaining speed and balance

  • Better positioning in both offensive and defensive scenarios

  • Game-ready mobility in small-ice or open-ice situations

Mastering crossovers allows players to move fluidly in all directions—something that separates average skaters from great ones.

Mechanics of a Proper Crossover

Here’s what a good crossover looks like step by step:

  1. Start in a solid skating stance – knees bent, chest up, weight centered

  2. Push off the inside edge of your outside foot

  3. Cross your inside foot over your outside leg smoothly, staying low

  4. Use inside and outside edges simultaneously for balance and power

  5. Repeat the motion while leaning into the curve (use upper body rotation to help)

  6. Keep your head up and eyes forward

Good crossovers are smooth and rhythmic—not choppy or stiff.

Common Crossover Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌ Standing too upright during the turn

  • ❌ Rushing the footwork without control

  • ❌ Lifting the skates too high off the ice

  • ❌ Neglecting edge engagement (gliding vs. pushing)

  • ❌ Letting the upper body rotate too much or lean back

On-Ice Crossover Drills

1. Circle Crossovers Drill

Setup: Use the faceoff circle
How to do it:

  • Skate around the circle using crossovers only

  • Do 5 revolutions clockwise, then 5 counter-clockwise

Focus on:

  • Staying low

  • Engaging both edges

  • Keeping the motion smooth and controlled

2. Figure-8 Crossover Drill

Setup: Two faceoff circles or cones
How to do it:

  • Skate in a figure-8 pattern around the circles

  • Use crossovers to transition between turns

Focus on:

  • Foot speed and edge transitions

  • Maintaining control through curves

3. Crossover Acceleration Start

How to do it:

  • Start stationary

  • Use 3–5 powerful crossovers to accelerate into a straight sprint

Focus on:

  • Generating power

  • Exploding into open ice

4. Crossover & Transition Drill

How to do it:

  • Start with forward crossovers

  • Transition to backward skating using quick edgework

  • Repeat in both directions

Focus on:

  • Smooth transitions

  • Maintaining speed through directional changes

Off-Ice Crossover Training Drills

1. Lateral Slideboard Training

What it trains: Lateral movement, edge simulation

How to do it:

  • Perform side-to-side strides on a slideboard

  • Mimic the push and cross motion of crossovers

Time: 3 rounds of 30–45 seconds

2. Crossover Step-Ups

Equipment: Plyo box or sturdy step

How to do it:

  • Stand beside the box

  • Cross one leg over and step up, mimicking the skating pattern

  • Step down and repeat on the other side

Reps: 3 sets of 10 per side

3. Lateral Bounds (Skater Jumps)

What it trains: Explosive lateral power

How to do it:

  • Jump side to side off one leg, landing softly each time

  • Focus on staying low and balanced, like in a skating stance

Sets: 3 x 20 seconds

4. Mini-Hurdle Crossover Steps

What it trains: Foot speed and coordination

How to do it:

  • Line up 4–5 mini hurdles

  • Perform crossover steps over each hurdle without touching them

Focus on: Fast, light footwork

Crossover Training Schedule Example (Weekly)

Day Drill Type Focus
Monday On-ice: Circles Edge control, technique
Tuesday Off-ice: Slideboard & Bounds Power + rhythm
Wednesday On-ice: Figure-8s Multi-direction crossover
Friday Off-ice: Step-Ups + Hurdles Agility + control
Saturday On-ice: Acceleration Starts Explosive crossovers

Tips to Master Crossovers Faster

  • Start slow – Focus on precision before speed

  • Stay low – A deeper stance gives better balance and power

  • Engage edges – Don’t let your feet glide without push

  • Watch the pros – Study NHL players during games and slow it down

  • Be consistent – Short, regular practice is better than occasional long sessions

Conclusion

Crossover skating is one of the most important tools in a hockey player’s skating toolbox. When done right, it gives you unmatched control, speed, and fluidity during any in-game situation. Whether you’re turning at high speeds, breaking out of the zone, or protecting the puck, smooth and powerful crossovers will elevate your entire skating game.

Start slow, train smart, and stay consistent—soon enough, you’ll be carving up the ice with confidence and control.