Quickstep

A fast, bright Kilian-hold dance in 2/4, skated hip to hip with matching steps, a closed swing S step and quick crossed edges down the rink.

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The dance

Quickstep in 2/4, 112 beats a minute. The hold is Kilian. Both partners skate the same steps. 18 steps and 28 beats to one pattern.

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 Quickstep is skated in Kilian hold from start to finish, both partners on the same steps, and US Figure Skating stresses that the couple must stay hip to hip throughout. The skating should match its fast, bright music. The pattern runs nearly the length of the rink, so the rulebook asks for a start near the midline at one end to keep the edges true.

After a chassé and a progressive, step 5 opens a closed swing S step, and the backward exit edge then changes from inside to outside with a distinct shift of lean. Steps 7 to 10 are deep crossed edges, and the closing run of steps 13 to 18, including a half-beat change of edge, should be light and well curved.

British Ice Skating lists the Quickstep at National 7, one of five dances to choose from. US Figure Skating tests it at Gold.

Appears in