Figure Skating - Steps and Turns

Steps and Turns

Step sequences are a required element in all four Olympic disciplines. The pattern can be straight line, circular, or serpentine. The step sequence consists of a combination of turns, steps, hops and edge changes. Additionally, steps and turns can be used as transitions between elements.

The various turns, which skaters can incorporate into step sequences, include:

• Three turns, so called because the blade turns into the curve of the edge or lobe to leave a tracing resembling the numeral "3".

• Bracket turns, in which the blade is turned counter to the curve of the lobe, making a tracing resembling a bracket ("}").

• Mohawks, the two-foot equivalents of three turns and brackets.

• Rockers, one-foot turns that involve a change of lobe as well as of direction.

• Counters, one-foot turns that involve a change of lobe as well as of direction.

• Twizzles, traveling multi-rotation turns on one foot

Choctaws are the two-foot equivalents of rockers and counters. Other movements that may be incorporated into step sequences or used as connecting elements include lunges and spread eagles. An Ina Bauer is similar to a spread eagle performed with one knee bent and typically an arched back. Hydroblading refers to a deep edge performed with the body as low as possible to the ice in a near-horizontal position.