Waltz eight

A forward outside three, a step back and a step forward, in waltz time round each circle of a figure eight.

On a figure eight

Not checked yet. The drill details on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

The run RFO three RBI · step back to LBO · step forward to RFO; then the other circle on the other foot

The pattern on the ice, one line for the blade on the ice, coloured by edge.

Not drawn in the body frame yet: the change of foot onto a new lobe, which the body frame is gaining next.

Round one circle of a figure eight, in three-beat counts: a forward outside three, a step back onto the other foot’s back outside edge, and a step forward to start again. The second circle is the same on the other foot, the other way round.

The back outside edge in the middle is the one every jump lands on, and the waltz eight is often where a skater first holds it on purpose. Coaches look for it to stay on the circle, with the free leg extended behind and the shoulders still, rather than curling in.

The rhythm keeps the pieces even: each part gets its count, so a rushed turn or a short edge shows at once.

The step forward off the back outside edge is taught as a plain step by some coaches and as a mohawk by others.

This drill trains

Right forward outside three turnRFO to RBI: half a turn into the circle, changing edge and staying on the same lobe.
Left forward outside three turnLFO to LBI: half a turn into the circle, changing edge and staying on the same lobe.
Left backward outside edgeLBO: the left foot travelling backwards on an outside edge, tracing a clockwise lobe.
Right backward outside edgeRBO: the right foot travelling backwards on an outside edge, tracing an anticlockwise lobe.

Built from

Right backward inside edgeRBI: the right foot travelling backwards on an inside edge, tracing a clockwise lobe.
Left backward inside edgeLBI: the left foot travelling backwards on an inside edge, tracing an anticlockwise lobe.

Found in 3 independent sources: coaches' public teaching and published skating-skills tests, taken as base guidance and written for the guide.