Glossary of Figure Skating Terms - C

C

CD

A scoring abbreviation for the compulsory dance in an ice dancing competition.

COP

Abbreviation for Code of Points

Camel spin

A spin position during which the free leg is extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice.

Cantilever

An element in which the knees are bent and the back is bent backwards, parallel to the ice. The element can be performed with the hands on the ice or with them extended in the air.

Carry lift

A lift without rotation.

Catch-foot

A spin or spiral position in which the free leg is held by one or both hands. The most notable catch-foot position is the Biellmann.

Centered

A spin that that stays in one spot on the ice. The opposite of traveling.

Chack, Chacked, Chacking

When a medal-winning or otherwise noteworthy program is not shown on television. This term is named after Michael Chack, whose bronze medal winning performance at the U.S. Championships was not aired on television.

Chasse

An ice dancing step that can be a simple chasse, a crossed chasse, or a slide chasse.

Check

Stopping the rotation of a jump or a spin.

Cherry-flip

Another name for the toe-loop jump.

Cheated

A jump that was not fully rotated in midair, with either the first rotation starting on the ice or the final rotation finishing after the landing.

Choctaw turn

A two-foot turn with a change of edge that results in a change of lobe.

Charlotte spiral

A spiral position in which the torso is bent down towards the skating leg, with the free leg held in a 180 degree vertical split position. Also known as a candlestick spiral.

Code of Points

An informal name for the ISU Judging System.

Combination

Two or more elements (jumps, spin positions) performed in succession.

Combination lift

A lift combining two short lifts.

Compulsory dance

Formerly the first of the three programs in ice dance. All teams perform the same dance to the standard music. In 2010, the ISU eliminated the compulsory and original dances and merged them into what is now the short dance. The compulsory portion is now officially known as the pattern dance.

Compulsory figures

Specific patterns traced in the ice by a skater's blade. While originally a major part of a skating competition, figures were removed entirely from international competition in 1990.

Counter turn

A one-foot turn on the same edge but results in a change of lobe with the rotation outside the original lobe.

Cross stroke

In ice dancing, a step that is begun with the feet crossed, the legs crossing above the knee, so the motion is begun by the outside edge of the free foot.

Crossed chasse

In ice dancing, a series of two edges across two steps (such as inside and outside). On the second step, the free foot crosses the skating foot and is placed on the ice beside the skating foot.

Crossed step behind

In ice dancing, a step that is begun with the free foot in the air. It is then crossed below the knee to the opposite side of the skating foot, so that the free foot touches down on the ice on the outside edge of the skating foot. The leg is crossed behind.

Crossed step forward

In ice dancing, a step that is begun with the free foot in the air. It is then crossed below the knee to the opposite side of the skating foot, so that the free foot touches down on the ice on the outside edge of the skating foot. The leg is crossed in front.

Crossovers

Crossing one foot over the other as a way of gaining speed and turning corners.

Crouch

A two-foot skating move in which the skater's legs are both bent at least 90-degree's.

Curve lift

A type of dance lift in which the lifter moves along a curve across the ice. The lift may be performed on one foot or two.