Skating skills | Intermediate

PROGRESSIVE or RUN [Pr]

Figure 36 Cross cut, Cross overs, Progressive, Run

A step or sequence of steps in which the free foot passes the skating foot before is it placed on the ice, thereby bringing the new free foot off the ice trailing the new skating foot.

Crossed Step (X)

CROSSED STEP FORWARD [XF]

Figure 37 Explained: CROSSED STEP FORWARD

A step in which the free foot is placed on the ice on the outer edge side of the skating foot with the free leg crossed in front of the skating leg. (Note - legs cross below the knees.)

CROSSED STEP BEHIND [XB]

Figure 38 CROSSED STEP BEHIND [XB]

A step in which the free foot is placed on the ice on the outer edge side of the skating foot with the free leg crossed behind the skating leg. (Note - the legs cross below the knees.)

 

Cross Cut [Xcut]

Figure 39 Cross cut, Cross overs, Progressive, Run

 

CHASSÉ [Ch]

Figure 40 Foward Chasses

Figure 41 Chasse

SIMPLE CHASSÉ

A series of two edges (usually outside, inside) in which on the second edge the free foot is placed on the ice beside the skating foot, but not ahead of it, and the free foot is lifted with the blade parallel to the ice.

CROSSED CHASSÉ

The same except that on the second step the free foot crosses the skating foot (crossed behind the skating foot when skating forward or crossed in front when skating backward).

SLIDE CHASSÉ [slCh]

The same except that on the second step the free foot slides off the ice in front when the skater is skating forward and behind when the skater is skating backward (e.g. The man’s step 32 in the Starlight Waltz).

SLIP STEP

A step skated in a straight line with the blades of both skates being held flat on the ice. The weight is over the skating leg that may be well bent or straight while the free foot slides forward on the ice to full extension.

TOE STEP

A step where the skater steps from one toe to the other without jumping.

ROLL [R]

A short or long, forward or backward edge.

Figure 49Explanation: Roll, Cross Roll, Swing Roll

CROSS ROLL [CR]

Figure 50: Forward Cross Rolls

Figure 51 Backward Cross Rolls

A roll started with the action of the free foot approaching the skating foot from the side so as to strike the ice almost at right-angles to the skating foot, started forward with the feet crossed in front or backward with the feet crossed behind. The impetus is gained from the outside edge of the skating foot as it becomes the new skating foot. In this case, the change of lean to the curve in the opposite direction creates a “rolling movement”.

SWING ROLL [SwR]

Figure 52 Outside Swing Rolls

A roll held for several beats of music during which, when skating backward, the free leg lifts and then first swings forward, then backward past the skating foot, then back beside to skate the next step. When skating forward, the free leg first swings backward, then forward and then back beside to skate the next step. The swing of the leg gives the sense of a “rolling movement”.

 

TURNS

Figure 53 Learn to Turn

A rotational movement in which the skater moves from forward to backward or backward to forward.

Loop

Figure 54 3-turn, Bracket, Loop

LOOP: A loop is a forward or backward rotational movement skated on a small circle approximately equal to the height of the skater. A “cross-roll” transition into forward outside loops and a “cross behind” start for back outside loops are permissible. The loops included in the Skating Skills exercises are more of a “rotational movement”, more round than tear shaped. Outside loops can be skated forwards or backwards, starting on the left or right foot (LFO, RFO, LBO, RBO). Inside loops can be skated forwards or backwards, starting on the left or right foot (LFI, RFI, LBI, RBI).   

Toe Loop

Figure 55 Toe Loop

Two-Foot-Turn / Bum Twister

Figure 56 Two-foot-turn

Figure 57 Bum Twister

THREE Turn [3]

Figure 58 LFO3

Figure 59 Inside Outside 3 Turns LFO3, RFI3

Figure 60 RFO3

Figure 61 FO3-BI3 Forward Outside/Back Inside Three-Turns

A turn executed on one foot from an outside edge to an inside edge or an inside edge to an outside edge, with the exit curve continuing on the same lobe as the entry curve. The skater turns in the direction of the curve.

A three turn is a turn on a curve from forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward on the same foot with the point of the turn facing into the curve. If the edge entering the three turn is an outside edge, the exit edge of the turn will be an inside and vice versa. The exit edge of the turn continues on the same curve as the entry edge. It is called a “three” turn because the tracing on the ice resembles the number “3”. Three turns can be from outside-to-inside or from inside-to-outside and can be performed forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward, starting on the left or right foot. (LFO-LBI, RFO-RBI, LFI-LBO, RFI-RBO, LBO-LFI, RBO-RFI, LBI-LFO, RBI-RFO)

Special Three Turns in Ice Dancing

TOUCHDOWN THREE TURN:

A three turn in which the weight is almost immediately transferred to the free foot as it becomes the skating foot for the next step. The turn is made from a forward outside three to the backward outside edge of the opposite foot without full weight transfer, then the skater immediately steps forward onto the original foot (example Austrian Waltz steps 1-2). Such a sequence may be skated with the forward or backward, inside or outside three turns. May be skated alone or as a couple side by side.

AMERICAN WALTZ TYPE THREE TURN:

A three turn from an outside edge in which the free leg is extended and the toe and hip are well turned out and held over the tracing. The instep of the free foot is drawn close to the heel of the skating foot as the turn is made. After the turn onto an inside edge, the free foot is extended back of the tracing before being brought back beside the skating foot in time for the next step.

EUROPEAN WALTZ TYPE THREE TURN:

A three turn which begins as in (3). After the turn the back inside edge is held for one beat before the weight is transferred to the free foot as it becomes the skating foot.

RAVENSBERGER WALTZ TYPE THREE TURN:

An inside three turn that begins as in (3) and (4) with the free leg extended over the tracing and left behind during the turn, and swings through after its completion in front of the tracing before being brought back beside the skating foot in time for the next step. (Example: Man’s step 1, in Ravensberger Waltz).

WALK-AROUND-THREES:

Threes turned by a Couple at the same time around the common axis. The partners skate these turns in Waltz hold (example Austrian Waltz step 31, Ravensberger Waltz steps 39-40) or offset Tango hold (Golden Waltz steps 1-5).

 

BRACKET [Br]

Figure 62 Bracket

A turn executed on one foot from an outside edge to an inside edge or an inside edge to an outside edge, with the exit curve continuing on the same lobe as the entry curve. The skater turns in the direction opposite to the curve.

BRACKET: A bracket is a turn on a curve from forward-to-backward or backward to forward-on-the same foot with the point of the turn facing outside the curve. If the edge entering the bracket is an inside edge, the exit edge of the turn will be outside and vice versa. The exit edge of the turn continues on the same curve as the entry edge. Brackets can be from outside-to-inside or from inside-to-outside and can be performed forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward starting on the left or right foot. (LFO-LBI, RFO-RBI, LFI-LBO, RFI-RBO, LBO-LFI, RBO-RFI, LBI-LFO, RBI-RFO)

ROCKER [Rk]

Figure 63 Counter, Rocker, Twizzles

A turn executed on one foot from an outside edge to an outside edge or an inside edge to an inside edge, with the exit curve on a different lobe from the entry curve. The skater turns in the direction of the entry curve.

ROCKER: A rocker is a turn from forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward, on the same foot, with the point of the turn facing into the circle. The skater changes to a new curve at the top of the turn (long axis). If the edge entering the rocker is an outside edge, the exit edge of the turn will also be outside. Rockers can be from outside-to-outside or inside-to-inside and can be performed forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward, starting on the left or right foot. (LFO-LBO, RFO-RBO, LFI-LBI, RFI-RBI, LBO-LFO, RBO-RFO, LBI-LFI, RBI-RFI)          

 

COUNTER [Ct]

Figure 64 Counter, Rocker, Twizzles

Figure 65 Counters

A turn executed on one foot from an outside edge to an outside edge or an inside edge to an inside edge, with the exit curve on a different lobe from the entry curve. The skater turns in the direction opposite to the entry curve (i.e. in the direction of the exit curve).

COUNTER: A counter is a turn from forward-to-backward or backward-to-forward on the same foot, with the point of the turn facing outside the curve. The skater changes to a new curve at the top of the turn (long axis). If the edge entering the counter is an inside edge, the exit edge of the turn will also be inside and vice versa. Counters can be from outside-to-outside or inside-to-inside and can be performed forward-to-backward or backward-to- forward, starting on the left or right foot. (LFO-LBO, RFO-RBO, LFI-LBI, RFI-RBI, LBO-LFO, RBO-RFO, LBI-LFI, RBI-RFI)

 

SWING ROCKER [SwRk]

Figure 66 Counter, Rocker, Twizzles

A type of rocker or counter in which the free foot swings smoothly past close to the skating foot before the turn and after the turn is either moved past the skating foot and held behind over the tracing or allowed to swing forward.