Willow Waltz

A bronze-level set pattern waltz that brings together progressives, chassés, three-turns and open choctaws, asking for crisp waltz timing and partners skating close together.

dance

Not checked yet. The mechanics 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 dance

Waltz in 3/4, 138 beats a minute. The hold is waltz. The partners skate different steps. 22 steps and 54 beats to one pattern.

Steps for the lead the follow

One sequence on a 60 x 30 metre rink, drawn upright as the rulebooks draw it, starting at the dot and travelling anticlockwise. The two partners skate side by side on one track; the switch shows where each one's steps fall and on which edge. The faint half is the same steps skated again. Rinks vary, and on a smaller one the pattern shrinks to fit. Measured from the diagram in U.S. Figure Skating 2026-27 Rulebook, page Dance-20.

Step	Lead	Follow	Beats
1	RFO	LBO	2
2	LFI-Ch	RBI-Ch	1
3	RFO	LBO	3
4	LFO	RBO	3
5	RFI opCSt	LFO	3
6	LBI	RFI Opt.-slCh	3
7	RBO	LFO	3
8	LBO	RFO3	2 + 1
9	RFO	LBO	2
10	LFI-Pr	RBI-Pr	1
11	RFO	LBO	3
12	LFO	RBO	2
13	RFI-Ch	LBI-Ch	1
14	LFO3	RBO	2 + 1
15	RBO	LFO	3
16	LBO	RFO	3
17	RBI	LFI	3
18	LFO	RFI opCSt	3
19	RFI Opt.-slCh	LBI	3
20	LFO	RBO	2
21	RFI-Pr	LBI-Pr	1
22	LFO	RBO	3

The steps are in the rulebook's own notation: foot, direction and edge, with Pr for a progressive, Ch for a chassé, SwR for a swing roll, XB and XF for a cross step behind or in front, 3 for a three turn, CSt and SSt for C and S steps, Op for open and Cl for closed. From the step chart in US Figure Skating's 2026-27 rulebook.

The Willow Waltz packs a spread of turns and step sequences into one pattern, and US Figure Skating treats it as a test of clean waltz timing. Its progressives and chassés should be distinct, counted 2-1-3 across each sequence, with soft knees and a gliding feel.

Each partner has one step with a choice in it: Step 6 for the follow partner and Step 19 for the lead partner may be an open stroke with free legs in counter position or a slide chassé with matching free legs. The rulebook also asks for upright carriage and unison, the couple close together with neat footwork and pace that comes without visible pushing.

British Ice Skating lists the Willow Waltz at National 5, as one of the dances to choose from. It is on the KiwiSkate Dance 6 badge in New Zealand, and US Figure Skating tests it at Bronze.

Appears in

No test syllabus recorded yet.

Where it sits in one country's grades is on that country's copy of this page: UK, USA, Australia or New Zealand.