Turns and Glides
Turns
While beginners may perform turns on two feet, one-foot turns are taught in the earliest stages of skating instruction. Turns may be initiated while traveling forward or backward. They may be initiated from an inside or outside edge. The direction of rotation, the combination of inside or outside edges used in entrance and exit of the turn, and whether the turn involves a change of feet are factors that differentiate turns. Simple turns are performed on a circular path, while more complex turns involve a change of circles.
Turns on one foot
Three turn: Performed on one foot, entered either forward or backward. Rotation is in the natural direction of the turn. The tracing on the ice looks like the numeral “3”. Beginning skaters learn LFO3 and RFO3 turns first, followed by LFI3 and RFI3 turns. Backward three turns are somewhat more advanced. Three turns are performed on single circle.
Bracket: Bracket turns are similar to three turns, except the direction of rotation is opposite to the natural direction of travel. The pattern on the ice looks like a bracket character ({ or }). Because of the counter rotational nature of brackets, they are more difficult than three turns. Brackets are performed on single circle.
Counter: Counters are also performed without a change of foot; however, at the peak of the turn the path of travel changes from one circle to another. Rotation in a counter is opposite to the direction of travel and does not involve a change of edge. For example, the RFO counter is initiated by gliding forward on the outside edge of the right foot. The skater is traveling clockwise on a circle. The turn is executed by rotating counterclockwise and results in a RBO edge exit on a tangent circle. Counters may be performed forward or backward on an inside or outside edge.
Rocker: Like counters, rockers are performed on one foot and involve a change of circles but no change of edge. However, rotation in the turn is in the natural direction of travel. For example, a RFO counter begins with a RFO edge. The skater is traveling clockwise and turns in the clockwise direction. He exits the turn on the RBO edge on a tangent circle.
Turns on two feet
Mohawk: Mohawks are basic turns involving a change of feet and are performed on one circle traveling either forward or backward. The tracing resulting from an inside Mohawk resembles the pattern created by a three turn, except a change of foot occurs at the apex of the turn. For example, a counterclockwise inside Mohawk is initiated from a RFI edge, a counterclockwise turn involving a change of feet and a LBI exit edge. Similarly, an outside Mohawk resembles a bracket turn performed on two feet. The rotation involving the change of feet is executed in counter to the natural direction of travel. Note that Mohawks do not involve a change of edge. Mohawks initiated on the forward inside edge are completed on the backward inside edge of the opposite foot.
Choctaw: There are two types of choctaws, one that resembles a rocker and another that resembles a counter. In each case the edges leading into and exiting the turn as well as the direction of rotation are consistent with the one-foot counter part. However, in the choctaw variant, a change of feet occurs at the cusp of the turn. In the "rocker choctaw" the turn is initiated on a forward inside edge followed by rotation in the natural direction of travel and a change of feet to a backward outside edge. For the "counter choctaw" a forward outside edge initiates the turn. Rotation is performed opposite the natural direction of travel with a change of feet exiting on a back inside edge.
Glides
Glides may be performed in an infinite variety of positions on two feet or one. Gliding refers to motion across the ice initiated by a push. No further pushing or stroking occurs during the glide as the skater adopts an aesthetically pleasing or interesting position. The skater may change positions while maintaining the glide. He may also push or stroke then assume another gliding posture.
Glides on one foot
Shoot-the-Duck: Ordinarily practiced by beginners, shoot-the-duck teaches the position for sit spins and develops leg strength. Shoot-the-duck can be performed on the flat of the blade or on any edge, forward or backward. It resembles a sitting position in which the skating leg is fully bent and the free leg held straight in front of the body with the toe turned out. Shoot-the-duck is called "teapot" in Britain.
Lunge: The lunge is also a common skill for beginners which develops control of gliding direction and leg strength. While it is not exactly a “glide on one foot”, the lunge requires that the skater basically adopt a kneeling position on a bent skating leg with the turned out free leg extended directly behind the body trailing the boot on the ice.
Arabesque: An arabesque on skates looks like an arabesque in ballet. It may be executed forward or backward on any of the edges. The body is held upright and the free leg stretched gracefully behind with the toe pointed out.
Attitude: Body carriage for an attitude is similar to the arabesque. However, the free leg is bent with the knee and toe turned out as in a layback spin. The knee should not point toward the ice.
Spiral: Spirals may be performed forward and backward on any of the edges. A spiral differs from the arabesque because the torso is tilted forward rather than held upright. The free leg should be straight and lifted at least to hip level. The ideal position of torso and free leg resembles the curvature of a champagne glass balanced on the free leg, which represents the stem of the glass. More limber skaters can extend the free leg to achieve a perfect split position.
Side Spiral or Arabsque: A spiral or arabesque with the free leg extended to the side.
Change Edge Spiral: A change edge spiral requires the skater to perform a change of edge during the spiral without placing the free foot on the ice. The most common is forward inside edge to forward outside edge.
Catch Spiral: A catch spiral involves holding the knee, foot or blade of the free leg during a spiral. This requires a limber back, but offers higher free leg extension than can often be achieved otherwise. A wide variety of positions are possible involving either a straight free leg or attractively bent free leg.
Chinese Spiral or Arabesque: An arabesque or spiral in which the free leg is bent and the free foot or blade caught with the hand. The free leg may be held at any height.
Biellmann Spiral: The Biellmann spiral is named after Swiss skater, Denise Biellmann, who is especially famous for performing spins in what became known as the "Biellmann position". The spiral may be executed on any edge or flat in the Biellmann position, which requires the skater to stand upright and extend his or her free leg directly overhead with assistance of both arms. The legs achieve a full vertical split.
Charlotte Spiral: Also known as a "candlestick spiral”, the charlotte is a backward spiral performed on the flat of the blade. The skater bends down touching her forehead to her skating leg. Simultaneously, the free leg extends upward positioning the legs in a vertical split that resembles a tall, graceful candlestick. Often the skater touches the ice with one hand to establish balance when achieving the split position.
Jenkins Spiral: The Jenkins spiral is performed on a forward inside edge with a deeply bent skating knee. The free leg extends under the hips. The position resembles the understroke of a forward crossover. The Jenkins may be incorporated into choreography as an unusual and exaggerated inside edge glide and often preceeds a three-turn or transition to another gliding pose. Also called an "undercut spiral".
Skid (or Slide) Spiral: This spiral incorporates a skidded three-turn from which its name is derived. The skater performs a backward spiral on an outside edge. As the edge deepens, the skating blade skids through a BO3 turn resulting in a forward inside spiral.
Fan Spiral: A fan spiral is a dynamic move requiring a transition between body positions. It begins as an upright arabesque with the free leg extended to the side of the body. Then the body lowers into the spiral position and pivots away from the leg allowing the free leg to be forced behind into a traditional spiral pose.
Hydroblading: Hydroblading is a fairly new term that refers to a backward inside edge glide in which the skating knee is deeply bent and the free leg crossed underneath it, resembling a contorted sitting position. The free leg is held straight and the body leans into the circle. This dramatic move requires that the skater put a hand on the ice to achieve a pronounced lean and deep edge.
Glides on two feet
Spread Eagle: Spread eagles are glides performed on both feet, which require the legs to be turned out at a 180-degree angle. Turn out should occur at the hips (“open hips”) rather than the knees or ankles. Spread eagles may be performed on the inside or outside edges as well as the flat of the blades. Change of edge may also be incorporated to direct the spread eagle in uninterrupted arcs around the rink.
Ina Bauer: Ina Bauers are similar to spread eagles in that the legs are turned out in a 180-degree angle. However, the leading leg is bent and positioned in front of the plane of the torso and the trailing leg is held straight and positioned behind the plane of the body. The torso may be erect, but more commonly the back arches and the arms achieve a graceful pose. For a skater gliding counter clockwise around an arena in an outside Ina Bauer, the right leg leads and cuts an outside edge. The left leg trails and holds an inside edge. The body faces outside the circle of travel. If the skater glides counterclockwise performing an inside Ina Bauer, the left leg leads on an inside edge. The trailing right leg also maintains and inside edge. The body faces into the circle of travel. Ina Bauers may also be performed in a straight line down the length of the rink, which requires precise control of the outside variation.
Cantilever: Cantilevers are variations on spread eagles that are usually only used in acrobatic or comedic performances. They require the skater to bend his knees deeply in the spread eagle and lean back. The body extends roughly parallel to the plane of the ice.
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The definitions provided in the technical glossary are offered in good faith for personal use. They are not necessarily official definitions.
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