Blocks: Barriers placed on the track indicating the boundaries around which athletes must skate. The athletes are allowed to skim the surface of the ice inside the blocks with their fingertips for balance, if necessary.

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 swung to obtain maximum speed, or held behind the back to conserve energy. This technique is used to maximize speed and control while negotiating corners.

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

Cross-tracking: When a skater improperly crosses the path of another skater

Exchange: The changeover between teammates in a relay event. This usually is a touch, or a push, as one skater tries to transfer his momentum to the next skater.

False start: Starting before the gun sounds to start the race. Each competitor is allowed one false start and is disqualified after a second.

Finish: A technique in which the skater swings both arms diagonally across the body to increase or sustain momentum

Heats: Individual races which narrow down the field of skaters. Heats can have up to six skaters, with the top-two finishers from each heat advancing to the next round.

Right of way: Denotes which skater avoids or owns responsibility for contact or collisions. Typically, the lead skater has the right of way, meaning the athlete(s) attempting to pass the lead skater is held liable for any ensuing collisions.

Shifting the track: The process by which the ice is reset after each race. In order to prepare the oval for the next competition, the track markers on the curves are moved and a thin layer of water is spread to smooth out grooves in the ice. 

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.

Track mark: Seven markers on the ice that indicate the curve. Skating inside the track markers results in disqualification.