How do you brake backward? From a backward glide push the heels out, scrape snow on the inside edges and come to a controlled, safe stop on the ice.
The honest answer first: in the backward snowplow stop you push the heels out, load the inside edges and scrape snow off the ice until you stand still. The principle is the same as in the forward snowplow described in the Learn to Skate USA leaflet: two-foot glide, knees and ankles bent, pressure on the inside edges, heels angled out [1].
Honestly: the leaflet does not give a separate description of the backward stop; it describes the stops in general. In the adult curriculum, "backward snowplow stop, right and left" sits on level 3 of 6, after backward skating with a long two-foot glide [2]. The backward-specific hints below are therefore practical experience, marked where there is no [n].
Brake from a two-foot glide with bent knees and ankles and pressure on the inside edges, heels pointing out. The leaflet gives the mnemonic "glide, bend, slide" [1]. Milestone: you stop forward calmly three times in a row.
For the snowplow the leaflet advises practising first at the boards, then standing still and only then moving [1]. Do the same backward: hold on, push the heels out slightly and feel the scraping.
Roll backward in a two-foot glide, knees bent, shoulders square. The leaflet describes backward skating with weight on the balls of the feet, chest up [1]. Milestone: you glide backward calmly for two to three counts.
Bend knees and ankles deeper and push the heels out of the track so that the blades scrape [1]. You are shovelling snow from the ice. Too little pressure shaves no snow, too much pressure blocks the scraping – the pressure has to be dosed [1].
The curriculum says "right and left", so practise alternating which foot leads [2]. Increase speed only when you stop safely three times in a row from slow speed.
Plan a fixed session for the backward stop (rule of thumb, not a study): five minutes of forward snowplow to warm up, then ten slides at the boards, ten while standing and only then ten from slow backward motion. Count: how many slides leave two scrape tracks of equal length? Stop as soon as you lean backward while braking, because then your legs are tired. A phone video from behind shows whether both heels go out equally far and whether the upper body stays upright over the feet. After every third attempt do a shoulder check so that it becomes a habit.
Your progress shows in symmetry and gaze (rule of thumb, not a study): do both blades leave scrape tracks of equal length? Do you make the shoulder check without losing balance? If from slow backward speed you stop on the same spot three times in a row, you are ready for bigger arcs and backward edges. If not, stay at the slow speed.
This guide explains and motivates; it does not replace supervised training. Going backward you cannot see what happens behind you. Check the lane beforehand, stay at the edge and wear a helmet; in a video analysis of 216 ice-skating falls in children the head hit the ice in 13% of cases [3]. Do not fall backward onto the tailbone but sideways onto a hip, knees bent and chin tucked [1]. Do not practise when the rink is crowded.
Practise the backward stop in front of the mirror of the boards: if the wall behind you reflects (glass boards, a window front), you see your own blade position. Alternatively a companion films you from behind: both heels should go out equally far (practical experience).
Bend knees and ankles, push the heels out and press on the inside edges until the blades scrape snow [1]. The principle matches the snowplow stop; practise at the boards first [1].
In the Learn to Skate USA adult curriculum it is on level 3 of 6 [2]. Before it come backward skating and backward swizzles.
It is the mnemonic from the leaflet: glide, bend the knees, let the blades slide sideways [1]. It applies to the snowplow stop in general.
The leaflet mentions snowplow stops with one or two feet [1]. Beginners start with two feet because it is more stable.
The Forward Inside Edge: Your First Edge