Field Guide to Figure Skating
USA

European Waltz

A closed-hold waltz built from cross-rolled three-turns and back outside edges, every edge three beats long, with the couple's rotation reversing at each new lobe.

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, 135 beats a minute. The hold is closed. The partners skate different steps. 18 steps and 54 beats to one pattern.

Steps for
Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8Step 9Step 10Step 11Step 12Step 13Step 14Step 15Step 16Step 17Step 18123456789101112131415161718Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8Step 9Step 10Step 11Step 12Step 13Step 14Step 15Step 16Step 17Step 18123456789101112131415161718
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-28.
StepHoldLeadFollowBeats
1ClosedCR-RFO3LBO2 + 1
2LBORFO33
3RFOLBO3
4CR-LFO3RBO2 + 1
5RBOLFO33
6LFORBO3
7CR-RFO3LBO2 + 1
8LBORFO33
9RFOLBO3
10CR-LFO3RBO2 + 1
11RBOLFO33
12LFO3RBO2 + 1
13RBOLFO33
14LFO3RBO2 + 1
15RBOLFO33
16LFO3RBO2 + 1
17RBOLFO33
18LFORBO3

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 European Waltz is a dance of steady turning. Each side lobe is three steps: the lead partner opens with a cross-rolled three-turn while the follow partner strokes onto a back outside edge, and every edge lasts three beats with the threes turned on the third count. Wider end lobes string together further three-turns and back edges.

US Figure Skating asks for closed hold the whole way, with the partners close and turning around a shared axis that changes direction at the start of every lobe. The rulebook singles out checking on each three-turn to stop over-rotation, and it wants upright carriage, strong stroking and an even rise and fall of the knees to give the waltz its lilt.

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

Appears in

In the USA's grades

None of the American level lists in this guide name it.