Abstract: A method of continuously casting steel strands, in particular slabs in a continuous casting plant, involves the withdrawal of the strand from a cooled, oscillating mold and the further cooling of it in a secondary cooling zone arranged to follow the mold. The oscillation frequency of the mold and the lowering speed of the strand are coordinated with each other so that the distance between the oscillation marks, defined as the quotient of the lowering speed in m/min to the mold frequency in strokes/min, amounts to maximumly 0.018 m. The oscillation marks that occur on the strand surface constitute dangerous points of weakness which ultimately lead to the formation of cracks. By the method of the present invention it is possible to eliminate the crack formation altogether or at least to reduce said risk to a minimum.