Rocker Foxtrot

A set-pattern foxtrot in open hold whose signature moment is the follow partner's four-beat swing rocker, skated in closed hold while the lead partner takes two edges.

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

Foxtrot in 4/4, 104 beats a minute. The hold is open, then closed from step 5, open again from step 7. The partners skate different steps. 16 steps and 28 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-40.

Step	Hold	Lead	Follow	Beats
1	Open	LFO	LFO	1
2		XB-RFI	XB-RFI	1
3		LFO	LFO	1
4		RFI-Pr	RFI-Pr	1
5a	Closed	LFO	LFO-SwRk	2
5b		RFO		2
6		LFO3	RBO	1 + 1
7a	Open	RBO	LFO	2
7b		LFO		2
8		CR-RFO	CR-RFO	2
9		LFI-Pr	LFI-Pr	2
10		RFO	RFO	2
11		LFO-ClCSt	LFO-ClCSt	2
12		RBO	RBO	2
13		XF-LBI	XF-LBI	2
14		RFI	RFI	2

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 Rocker Foxtrot takes its name from one turn. After an opening crossed chassé and progressive skated side by side, the follow partner skates a four-beat swing rocker, swinging the free leg forward and turning on the second beat, while the lead partner takes two outside edges and the couple closes up. The rulebook wants both partners’ knees to bend together on beat three.

Open hold returns for the rest of the sequence, which runs through a cross roll, strong outside edges and a closed C step for both partners aimed towards the side barrier. US Figure Skating asks for good knee action and changes of lean to bring out the foxtrot character.

British Ice Skating lists it at National 6, one of three dances to choose from at that level. US Figure Skating tests it at Silver.

Appears in

In New Zealand's grades

None of the New Zealand level lists in this guide name it.