What is the difference between Stepping and Skating? Many skaters think they are skating when indeed they are merely stepping. Even at the higher levels a skater will perform a move in the field with accuracy, moderate speed and flow. However they are just stepping through the motions. 

Instead they should be pushing with all their force and gliding across the ice with continuous flow and speed. To skate is to appear as though you are effortlessly gliding across the ice with purpose.

The video shows the skater stepping the crossover versus skating the crossovers. When the skater skates them she gets more distance in the same amount of pushes.

Now that the kids are Back to School. It makes me think about School Figures and how important they still are to everyday skating. In recent years US Figure Skating has brought figures back into the Moves in the Field. The Circle Eights are very important to skating's everyday basics.

The technique used for the edges skated into and out of jumps and spins all come from School Figures. This is why the Circle Eights must be skated well. As a coach I find myself going back to School Figures to show a skaters how to control their edges. 

When in doubt go back to School Figures.