Backwards crossover scratchiness.

[23inmyhead]

My backwards crossovers are a bit hit and miss at the best of times but just recently my counter clockwise ones have really improved particularly when I take the time to set them up properly and don't rush into them. I can glide on my right outside edge with my knee bent and then I cross my left foot over. At this point I get a massive scratchy noise going on from my toe pick, the right one I think. I've tried bending my left knee when I place that foot down and keep the right knee bent but nothing seems to make much difference. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions please?

[Skatingruby]

I'm learning backward crossovers too. My anti clockwise ones are really good but clockwise are rubbish. I think the scratchy toe picky thing is happening because your putting too much weight/pressure into the ball of your foot/toes. Try to even out the pressure more over your foot. Hmm yeah I hope I helped

[Lily]

your weight is too far forward! bend your knees almost to the point where you're sitting down. my coach calls it "granny skating" haha.

[L4wrence]

Think about lifting your toes up inside the boot during the move. This will help you to be on the correct part of the blade.

[23inmyhead]

I figured I was too far forward but I feel like I'm sitting down so far over the skate that I can't see how I can be too far forward but I'm going to try the toe lifting trick and try sitting down even lower. Thanks.

[iSk8]

Previous remedial comments are all valid

You might also want to consider why you're in that position.  Are you watching your feet?  That's a classic reason.  Think about your whole posture.  Body too twisted?  Or not enough?

It's also worthwhile doing the crossover more slowly and trying to hold the edges.  Try counting steps 1-2-3 and hold the position so that you hold the edges on each foot.  Is the scratchiness uniform on both feet or just one?

[23inmyhead]

Previous remedial comments are all valid

You might also want to consider why you're in that position.  Are you watching your feet?  That's a classic reason.  Think about your whole posture.  Body too twisted?  Or not enough?

It's also worthwhile doing the crossover more slowly and trying to hold the edges.  Try counting steps 1-2-3 and hold the position so that you hold the edges on each foot.  Is the scratchiness uniform on both feet or just one?

I know I tend to collapse my middle a bit and that is usually the cause of the scratchiness but today I really felt the crossovers were working well, I was holding my core strong (at least I think I was) and sitting low over my skate and miraculously holding my outside edge before crossing over but as soon as I'd done the crossover my left foot was still scratchy (I'm going CCW). I'm getting very frustrated.

[iSk8]

I know I tend to collapse my middle a bit and that is usually the cause of the scratchiness but today I really felt the crossovers were working well, I was holding my core strong (at least I think I was) and sitting low over my skate and miraculously holding my outside edge before crossing over but as soon as I'd done the crossover my left foot was still scratchy (I'm going CCW). I'm getting very frustrated.

It's always difficult to say from a written explanation

Sounds as if you might be 'falling' onto the left foot.  Could also be that your upper body is turned in too much - you need your weight more to the outside and less twist.  Maybe you're just not very confident on that back inside edge.

I'm sure you'll gets lots of other advice, but just try holding the left inside edge after the crossover whilst keeping your right leg in position (off the ice is ok) to get a clean edge    It's not that easy to hold and keep the curve, but gives you some time to work out where your body should be.

[MadMax]

Yeah as already stated you are to far forward  I get this when I go from my Hockeys to my figures as you skate more forwards on Hockeys. And as soon as I adjust my balance they settle right down!. Take it slow adjust your position until it is nice and quiet 

[vegetable]

don't rush the push from the outside leg (the one that's been crossed over). This makes it scratchy and like youre kicking it up rather than nciely sliding it and pushing off the edge