All-round: A long-track event in which men race over 500, 1500, 5000 and 10,000 metres, while women race over 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 distances.
Clap skates (also Klap skates, clapskates): Introduced to the sport in 1997, clapskates feature a blade that detaches at the heel, allowing the full length of the blade to remain on the ice. A spring-loaded hinge under the ball of the foot snaps the blade back into its original position.
Crossover: The step used by skaters as they negotiate the curves; involves crossing the outer foot over the inner to help maintain speed and balance - a tricky move to learn with the long blades of speed skates.
Inside Edge: The edge of the blade that faces toward the other skate. This is the inside edge and is used for pushing the skater.
Outside Edge: The edge of the blade that faces away from the other skate. This is the outside edge and is used for gliding and pulling.
Long Track Course: An Olympic oval is 400-meters (437 yards) round and it has two curved ends that must be 180 degrees.
Rocker: The amount of curve of the part of a skate blade that touches the ice; hockey skates, for example, have plenty of rocker, allowing for quick turns and maneuvering, while speed skate blades have almost no rocker, which allows for greater speed on the straight aways, but less agility.
Sprint: A long-track event of 500 or 1,000 metres.
Straight: The longest, straightest part of the skating oval; in long-track racing, skaters must switch lanes on this segment of the track to ensure that each athlete skates the same distance over the entire length of the race.
Toe-flicking: When a skater pushes off with their toe at the end of a stride. This is not a good habit to get into, as it is an inefficient use of energy.
