Crossovers are a basic stroking technique in
figure skating
Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport to be included in the Olympic Games, when contested at the 1908 Olympics in London. The Olympic disciplines are me ...
for gaining impetus while skating along a curve or circle. They may be performed while skating either forwards or backwards.
Description
To perform forward crossovers in a counterclockwise direction, the skater begins with a stroke onto the left forward outside edge. The right foot is next placed on the ice towards the toe of the left foot and positioned on an inner edge, slightly inside the running curve. The right foot gradually becomes the new skating foot as the left foot leaves the curve to the outside and thrusts away. As the transfer of weight takes place, the skater pushes off the outside edge of the left foot. The next stroke is performed by placing the left foot next to the right, inside the circle, and pushing off the inside edge of the right foot.
The upper body is generally turned to face into the circle with the arms extended.
To perform counterclockwise backward crossovers, the skater begins by gliding backwards on two feet. The upper body is turned to face into the circle, and the head is turned to look over the right shoulder in the direction of travel. Keeping the left foot on the ice, the skater shifts his or her weight to the right foot, on a back outside edge, and then draws the left foot across the right. At this point, the skater shifts weight to the left foot, on a back inside edge, and executes a wide step inside the circle with the right foot; then the sequence is repeated by again drawing the left foot across. The left foot remains on the ice throughout, and the power derives from the scissoring motion of the legs.
For crossovers on a clockwise curve, left and right are reversed.
Crossovers are not considered difficult connecting movements in competitive skating; a program in which the skater predominantly performs crossovers from one element to the next rather than more complex steps and turns will be judged to be lacking in difficulty and choreographic interest.
Gallery
Image:Kim 2006 Skate Canada FS crossover.jpg, Clockwise forward crossover, at the point where the skater is pushing off the right foot.
(Yuna Kim
Yuna Kim (; born September 5, 1990), also credited in eastern name order as Kim Yuna or Kim Yeon-a, is a retired South Korean competitive figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 Olympic silver medalist in ladies' singles, ...
)
Image:Korpi 2010 NHK FS.jpg, Counterclockwise forward crossover, at the point where the skater is pushing off the left foot.
(Kiira Korpi
Kiira Linda Katriina Korpi (; born 26 September 1988) is a Finnish figure skater. She is a three-time European medalist (bronze in 2007 and 2011, silver in 2012), the 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard champion, the 2012 Rostelecom Cup champion, a two-ti ...
)
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-A1118-0005-001, Eva Romanova, Pawel Roman.jpg, Pair forward crossover
(Eva Romanova
Eva or EVA may refer to:
* Eva (name), a feminine given name
Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters
* Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character by Dynamite Entertainment
* Eva (''Devil May Cry''), Dante's mother in ...
& Pavel Roman
Pavel Roman (25 January 1943 – 30 January 1972) was a Czech figure skater who represented Czechoslovakia in pair skating and ice dancing with his sister Eva Romanová. As ice dancers, they became four-time World champions (1962–65) and two-t ...
)
Image:Backcrossover.jpg, Clockwise back crossover, during the scissoring motion after the wide step.
(Johnny Weir
John Garvin Weir (; born July 2, 1984) is an American figure skater and television commentator. He is a two-time Olympian (representing the United States in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, respectively), the 2008 World bronze medalist, a t ...
)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossover (Figure Skating)
Figure skating elements