Glossary of terms used in English Style Skating

Terms used in English Style Skating for individual turns and edges are identical to those used in the International Style. Additionally abbreviations, sometimes including the standard international terms, are used in English Style, as are terms to define position and direction of travel on the ice. These are listed below. Additional rules applicable to Hand-in-Hand Combined Figures are also given.

Centre The skaters approach the central marker (orange) with it lying on the outside of the curve with which it is approached
Off centre The skaters approach the central marker (orange) with it lying on the inside of the curve with which it is approached
Forward A forward outside edge
Inside A forward inside edge
Back A back outside edge
Back inside A back inside edge
And A change of foot eg “forward and inside” means forward outside edge on one foot followed by forward inside edge on the other foot
Meet The skaters approach close to the centre with the centre lying on the outside of the curve on which it is approached. In a combined figure, each half of a figure is usually terminated at the central marker with this call.
Off meet The skaters approach close to the centre with the centre lying on the inside of the curve on which it is approached. In a combined figure, each half of a figure is usually terminated at the central marker with this call.
Pass The skater passes closely by the centre on the last edge of the movement called before the word “pass” and with the centre lying on the outside of the curve on which the centre is approached. The movement is continued beyond the centre.
Off pass The skater passes closely by the centre on the last edge of the movement called before the word “pass” and with the centre lying on the inside of the curve on which the centre is approached. The movement is continued beyond the centre.
Inwards The skater moves towards the centre eg “forward inwards”
Out The skater moves in a direction away from the centre
Circle, sub-circle, super-circle These calls refer to the radius that the figure is skated upon. The Circle is the main starting point for combined figures. The “sub-circle” is midway between the centre and the Circle. The “super-circle” has a larger radius than the Circle and is generally only used where the rink size permits. The same radius is maintained until a call is given indicating otherwise eg “Forward circle” indicates a forward outside edge (from the centre, say) to the Circle, continuing on the Circle until the next call requiring a change in radius.
About A half circle, taken on a defined edge, to change direction eg “and inside about” is a half circle skated on an inside edge.
Around of …..complete Consists of 2 “abouts” thus completing a circle eg “around of inside complete” is a full circle completed on an inside edge. Turns may be included eg “around of two turns complete” is forward outside three turn to back inside three turn to forward outside, with the turns placed equidistantly round the circle.
Turn An outside three turn, either forwards or backwards, as called.
Inside turn An inside three turn, either forwards or backwards, as called.
Bracket, rocker, counter, mohawk, choctaw The appropriate turn. The edge into the turn will be defined, eg “forward bracket” is a forward outside bracket, “inside bracket” is a forward inside bracket.
Change Change of edge. Eg “inside change circle” is a forward inside, change to forward outside, finishing on the Circle.
Once (bracket) back A forward outside three turn (bracket) followed by a back outside edge on the other foot.
Once (counter, rocker) back The appropriate outside edge turn followed by a back inside edge on the other foot.
Inside once (bracket) back A forward inside three turn (bracket) followed by a back inside edge on the other foot.
Inside once (counter, rocker) back The appropriate inside edge turn followed by a back outside edge on the other foot.
Twice back Once back, and once back. Similarly “twice rocker back” etc.
Dismiss The end of a set is indicated by the call “dismiss”. All the skaters come to a stop at this point and it is customary to salute the other skaters once all skaters are at a standstill.

 

Additional rules applicable to Hand-in-Hand Combined Figures ( to follow)
Side-by-side hold Unless otherwise specified, partners will skate in the “side-by-side” position, with hands held in front, and the man’s right (or left) arm under the lady’s left (or right) arm, according to whether the man is on the left or right of the lady. Subject to the figure being executed, the partners may skate in line, with the shoulders approximately parallel to the direction of travel, and tracings superimposed, or square, so that the shoulders are at right angles to the direction of travel.
Echelon hold In which the man’s hand adjacent to his partner holds her hand behind her back. The other hands are held in front.
Link hold Single hands are joined right to left, partners facing the same direction and skating close together.
Attitude Open or contra, depending on position of hips and shoulders relative to the direction of travel.
Position The relative position of the partners in relation to the direction of travel when in line. Attitude and position are related eg if the left hand partner is leading on an outside edge, the partners must be in contra attitude.
Twist When on an edge and whilst maintaining the edge, the hands are released, the attitudes of the shoulders are reversed, and the hands are rejoined. The partners will assume an in-line position to execute this call if not already in one.
With Pass When on an edge and whilst maintaining the edge and the same shoulder attitude, the hands are released, the rear partner passes in front of the leading partner, and the hands are rejoined. The partners will assume an in-line position to execute this call if not already in one. (eg – and forward with pass).
With Back Pass Whilst on an edge partners release hands. The follower passes behind the leader. Partners rejoin hands.
Reverse As a step is made onto a new edge, the hands are released, the attitudes of the shoulders are reversed, and the hands are rejoined. Note that a special case of the reverse call is the “once back reverse” in which the hands are released, shoulder attitudes changed and the hands rejoined between the two back edges of the call. Similarly there are “inside once back reverse”, “once rocker back reverse” etc calls.
Revolve Prior to making a turn, the hands are released, the turn made followed by a step onto the same edge from which the turn was made and the hands rejoined.
Advance (on forward edge),
Swing (on backward edge)
Whilst on an edge the following partner moves to the leading position, the hands being held continuously.
Once back swing The rear partner swings to the front of the leading partner without releasing hands on the back outside edge of the once back turn.
Once back revolve The hands are released, the once back figure executed by each partner and the hands rejoined. Similarly there can be “once bracket back revolve” etc calls. This figure will usually be executed from the in-line position.