Skating backwards is the moment when recreational skaters start to feel like real skaters.
It looks impressive from the boards. It feels even better when you are doing it. And it is more learnable than most people think — the main barrier is not physical, it is psychological. Most beginners assume skating backwards requires some advanced skill they do not have yet.
It does not. It requires the same basic balance and edge awareness you already developed skating forward. You just have to rewire your instincts a little.
Before You Try Skating Backwards
Two prerequisites before this makes sense to attempt:
You should be comfortable skating forward without holding the wall. Backwards skating requires the same bent-knee, centered-weight posture as forward skating. If you are still working on forward balance, give it a few more sessions first.
You should know how to fall safely. Backwards falls are more disorienting than forward falls because you cannot see where you are going. Review the basics: bend your knees, go down in a controlled crouch, do not throw your arms out stiffly behind you.
Step 1: Start at the Wall
Stand facing the boards with your back to the open ice. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. This is your starting position.
Get comfortable with the feeling of being oriented backwards on the ice before you try to move. Take a breath. Look over your shoulder to see where you are going. This shoulder-check habit is important — you will use it constantly when skating backwards in a public session.
Step 2: The Swizzle (Your Building Block)
The backwards swizzle is to backwards skating what marching is to forward skating. It is the fundamental movement that teaches your body the mechanics before adding speed or complexity.
How to do a backwards swizzle:
- Start with feet parallel, about shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward
- Push both heels outward simultaneously, letting your feet glide apart in a V shape
- When your feet are about double shoulder-width apart, bring them back together by pressing the inside edges inward
- Repeat: push out, bring in, push out, bring in
The result is a gentle back-and-forth motion that propels you slowly backwards. It looks like you are drawing a series of connected oval shapes on the ice with both feet together.
What to focus on:
- Keep your knees bent throughout. Straight legs kill the swizzle.
- The push comes from your inside edges, not from lifting your feet
- Your weight should stay centered — do not sit back on your heels
Practice swizzles until you can move backwards smoothly and confidently along the boards. This is the entire engine of backwards skating.
Step 3: Single-Foot Push
Once swizzles feel natural, you are ready to add a single-foot push — the beginning of actual backwards stroking.
How to do it:
- Glide backwards on both feet
- Shift your weight to your left foot
- Use your right inside edge to push outward to the side (not backwards — to the side)
- Bring the right foot back in as you glide on the left
- Shift weight to the right and repeat on the other side
This is the backwards version of a skating stroke. The push goes sideways and slightly back, not directly behind you. Your blade digs into the ice on the inside edge and uses that grip to propel you.
Common mistake: Trying to push directly backwards like walking. You cannot push straight back — you need the lateral edge push. Think of your feet tracing a series of S curves rather than straight lines.
Step 4: Build Speed and Rhythm
Once the single-foot push clicks, it is just a matter of building rhythm. The motion should feel like a smooth alternating weight shift — push right, glide left, push left, glide right — with a slight outward sweep on each push.
Work on:
- Longer glides between pushes (a sign of improving balance and edge use)
- Consistent knee bend throughout (do not straighten up as you gain confidence)
- Shoulder checks every few seconds so you know what is behind you
Step 5: Backwards Stopping
Now that you can move backwards, you need to know how to stop.
The simplest backwards stop: Let your skates come to a T position (one foot perpendicular to the other) and apply gentle pressure to the perpendicular blade's outside edge. This is the backwards version of the T-stop.
The snowplow backwards: Bring both toes together in a slight V (opposite of the forward snowplow) and press down on both inside edges. This slows you down in a controlled way.
Neither will stop you as quickly as your forward stops. Practice them at slow speeds first.
How Long Does It Take?
Most people can do basic backwards swizzles in their first session of trying. Single-foot backwards stroking usually takes 2-4 sessions to feel natural. Smooth, confident backwards skating with good speed — a season of regular skating.
The biggest jump in skill typically comes between sessions rather than during them. Your body processes the mechanics while you are off the ice. Come back the next time and you will often find it clicks better than when you left.
Practice Drills Summary
| Drill | What It Builds |
|---|---|
| Backwards swizzles along boards | Basic backwards movement and edge feel |
| Swizzles moving away from boards | Balance confidence without wall support |
| Single-foot glide backwards | Weight transfer and balance |
| Alternating single-foot pushes | Backwards stroking rhythm |
| Backwards stop practice | Safety and control at speed |
Keep Building Your Skills
Backwards skating opens up a lot of doors — crossovers, spins, and hockey maneuvers all build on it. Take your time with the fundamentals and the advanced stuff follows naturally.
Find ice time near you at the Ice Skating Index.
Published by Ice Skating Index - your guide to everything on the ice.