TURN WITH SPEED.™ Crossovers can help a Player build speed while changing direction. Coach Joey™ teaches Players to use them when the route, balance, and available space make them the right choice.
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Cross One Foot Over
Practice controlled crossovers around a circle while keeping your knees bent and head up.
U11-U14 — Push Through the Turn
Use both the crossing leg and the underneath leg to generate power while staying balanced.
U15-U18 + Junior — Use Crossovers to Change the Gap
Use crossovers to accelerate through curves, attack lateral space, or adjust defensive positioning without losing momentum.
Why Crossovers Matter
Hockey rarely happens in straight lines. Crossovers allow Players to generate speed through curved routes instead of waiting until the turn is finished.
Stay Low and Balanced
Crossing the feet while standing tall reduces stability. Keep an athletic posture and allow the edges to grip the ice.
Use Them in Real Situations
Crossovers can help on rush routes, puck retrievals, defensive gap adjustments, and escapes. The skill matters most when connected to a Hockey decision.
5 Smart Ways to Use Crossovers in Hockey
Crossovers help Players generate speed while following a curved route. They are useful in puck retrievals, rush patterns, defensive recovery, and many situations where the play does not travel in a straight line.
1. Stay Low Through the Turn
Bend the knees and keep the body athletic. Standing tall reduces power and makes balance more difficult, especially when the Player is trying to accelerate around a curve.
2. Push, Do Not Just Step Over
A crossover should create propulsion. Use the outside and inside edges to push the body through the turn rather than simply crossing one foot over the other.
3. Keep the Head Up
Good Crossovers should not require staring at the skates. Develop the movement until Players can scan the rink, track pressure, and make Hockey decisions while turning.
4. Protect the Puck During the Turn
When carrying the puck, keep it in a position that supports the route and protects it from pressure. Skating mechanics and puck control should work together rather than compete for attention.
5. Know When a Different Turn Is Better
Crossovers are not mandatory on every curve. A tight cutback, pivot, stop, or transition may be faster depending on pressure and available ice. The Player must choose the movement that fits the play.
Practice Crossovers in Game-Like Routes
Start with circles or wide arcs so Players can feel the edges and push through the turn. Then use routes that resemble puck retrievals, offensive-zone movement, or defensive gap control. Add the puck after balance and rhythm are established.
Continue with Short Shifts and Backcheck Better. For more skating resources, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
Do not lose speed just because the route bends. TURN WITH SPEED.™
Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
TURN WITH SPEED.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.
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