Blocks: Barriers placed on the track indicating the boundaries around which athletes must skate.
Burn out: A competitive strategy in which one skater takes the lead quickly and sets a fast pace in order to tire out other skaters.
Charging the block: Passing on the inside of the congested area just as the skaters make a turn. Experienced skaters will not let anyone sneak by on the inside, and will try to force the skater to back off or turn wide.
Cornering technique: A maneuver in which one arm is swung diagonally to sustain balance and rhythm, while the other arm is either swung to obtain maximal speed, or held behind the back to conserve energy. This technique is used to maximize speed and control while negotiating corners.
Cross-tracking: Improperly crossing the path of another skater.
Crossover: A step used by skaters to negotiate the curves, involving crossing the outer foot over the inner to counter centrifugal force and help maintain speed and balance.
Exchange: The changeover between teammates in a relay event. This is usually a touch, or a push, as one skater tries to transfer his momentum to the next skater.
Finish: A technique in which the skater swings both arms diagonally across the body to increase or sustain momentum.
Straightaway: A technique in which the skater assumes a crouch position and holds one or both hands tightly behind his or her back in order to reduce air resistance and increase aerodynamics. The skater might swing an arm back and forth to achieve even greater momentum.
Right of way: The lead skater has the right of way, and the passing skater is responsible for avoiding body contact.
Short Track: A short track is an oval rink that measures 30 meters wide and 61 meters long.
Short Track Skate: A short track skate is much link a Clap Skate except on the short track skate the blade is fixed to the bottom of the boot and does not detach from the heel. The blades used in short track speed skating are usually right around 18.1 (46 cm) in length and between .046 - .054 inches (1.2-1.4 mm) wide.
Track mark: Seven markers on the ice which indicate the curve; skating inside the track markers will result in disqualification.
