Skating has a language all its own! Keeping up with your skater and his/her coach can be tough, so here are some commonly used skating terms and their definitions.
3-turn: The 3-turn is a one-foot turn with a change of edge that results with a "3" being traced on the ice. This turn can be executed forward or backward, outside or inside.
Axel: The Axel is a jump that takes off forward off of an outside edge. A single axel rotates 1 and 1/2 times which makes it one of the hardest jumps to learn, but one of the easiest to identify! Bonus points: the axel was created by Axel Paulsen in 1882.
Backspin: A spin performed on the back outside edge.
Biellmann: A catch-foot position where the free leg is pulled above the head from behind. This can be done either as a spin or as a spiral. Bonus points: The Biellmann was named after Denise Beillmann, who popularized the position, even though she did not invent it.
Bracket Turn: A one-foot turn with a change of edge that results in a } shape traced on the ice. This turn can be executed forward or backward, outside or inside.
Camel Spin: A spin position during which the free leg is extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice. This can be performed both as a forward (on either an outside or inside edge!) or a backspin.
Change-foot Spin: A spin that changes position from a back inside edge (forward spin) on one foot to a back outside edge (backspin) on the other foot while retaining the same rotational direction. It can also be executed from a backspin to forward spin, and in various positions.
Chasse: A two-step sequence on two different edges (such as inside and outside). The skater strokes on the first step, and on the second step, the free foot is placed on the ice beside the skating foot and is then lifted parallel to the ice. This step is often performed in ice dance.
Chocktaw: A turn that changes feet with a change of edge that results in a change of lobe. Example: Skater performs a left back outside edge and steps onto a right forward inside edge.
Crossovers: Crossing one foot over the other as a way of gaining speed and turning corners. They can be performed both forward and backward, in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.
Double Jump: A jump that rotates two full revolutions in the air, or, in the case of an axel, two and a half times in the air.
Element: An identifiable component of a program. This includes spins, jumps, spirals, jumps, footwork, etc.
Edge: An edge is a result of a skating leaning either to the inside (towards the body) or outside (away from the body). They can be performed either forward or backward, for a total of four different edges. Edges make up nearly every element in skating, including turns, jumps, and spins.
Figures: The discipline upon which figure skating was founded. Skaters trace specific patterns on the ice with their blades, including edges and turns.
Flat: Skating on both edges at the same time. While some elements may be performed on a flat (spirals or lunges), it is generally less desirable than skating on an edge.
Flip Jump: A toe-assisted jump that takes off from the back inside edge. It is introduced to skaters as a 1/2 revolution jump (half flip) where skaters rotate from backwards to forwards, while a flip jump is a full revolution jump. Skaters often enter the jump from either a forward outside 3-turn or a forward inside mohawk.
3-turn: The 3-turn is a one-foot turn with a change of edge that results with a "3" being traced on the ice. This turn can be executed forward or backward, outside or inside.
Axel: The Axel is a jump that takes off forward off of an outside edge. A single axel rotates 1 and 1/2 times which makes it one of the hardest jumps to learn, but one of the easiest to identify! Bonus points: the axel was created by Axel Paulsen in 1882.
Backspin: A spin performed on the back outside edge.
Biellmann: A catch-foot position where the free leg is pulled above the head from behind. This can be done either as a spin or as a spiral. Bonus points: The Biellmann was named after Denise Beillmann, who popularized the position, even though she did not invent it.
Bracket Turn: A one-foot turn with a change of edge that results in a } shape traced on the ice. This turn can be executed forward or backward, outside or inside.
Camel Spin: A spin position during which the free leg is extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice. This can be performed both as a forward (on either an outside or inside edge!) or a backspin.
Change-foot Spin: A spin that changes position from a back inside edge (forward spin) on one foot to a back outside edge (backspin) on the other foot while retaining the same rotational direction. It can also be executed from a backspin to forward spin, and in various positions.
Chasse: A two-step sequence on two different edges (such as inside and outside). The skater strokes on the first step, and on the second step, the free foot is placed on the ice beside the skating foot and is then lifted parallel to the ice. This step is often performed in ice dance.
Chocktaw: A turn that changes feet with a change of edge that results in a change of lobe. Example: Skater performs a left back outside edge and steps onto a right forward inside edge.
Crossovers: Crossing one foot over the other as a way of gaining speed and turning corners. They can be performed both forward and backward, in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.
Double Jump: A jump that rotates two full revolutions in the air, or, in the case of an axel, two and a half times in the air.
Element: An identifiable component of a program. This includes spins, jumps, spirals, jumps, footwork, etc.
Edge: An edge is a result of a skating leaning either to the inside (towards the body) or outside (away from the body). They can be performed either forward or backward, for a total of four different edges. Edges make up nearly every element in skating, including turns, jumps, and spins.
Figures: The discipline upon which figure skating was founded. Skaters trace specific patterns on the ice with their blades, including edges and turns.
Flat: Skating on both edges at the same time. While some elements may be performed on a flat (spirals or lunges), it is generally less desirable than skating on an edge.
Flip Jump: A toe-assisted jump that takes off from the back inside edge. It is introduced to skaters as a 1/2 revolution jump (half flip) where skaters rotate from backwards to forwards, while a flip jump is a full revolution jump. Skaters often enter the jump from either a forward outside 3-turn or a forward inside mohawk.