Yankee Polka
A bouncy Polka in 2/4 with one-beat edges, very short steps on the and between counts, rapid turns and an unusual run of holds including high Kilian and arm-in-arm.
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
Polka in 2/4, 120 beats a minute. The hold is open, then high Kilian from step 3, arm-in-arm from step 13, closed (hand to hand) from step 24, separate on step 32, closed (hand to hand) from step 33, semi-open on step 38, closed from step 39. The partners skate different steps. 52 steps and 64 beats to one pattern.
| Step | Hold | Lead | Follow | Beats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open | LFO RFI-Ch | RFI LFO-Ch | 1 |
| 2 | LFO RFI-Ch | RFI LFO-Ch | 1 | |
| 3 | High Kilian | LFI3 | RFI3 | 1 + 1 |
| 4 | RFI LFO-Ch | LFI | 1 | |
| 5 | RFI OpCSt LBI | RFI OpCSt LBI | 1 | |
| 6 | RBO Sw | RBO-Sw | 2 | |
| 7 | LFI OpCSt RBI | LFI OpCSt RBI | 1 | |
| 8 | LBI | LBI | 1 | |
| 9 | RBI | RBI | 1 | |
| 10 | LBO RBI-Ch | LBO RBI-Ch | 1 | |
| 11 | LFI OpCSt RBI | LFI OpCSt RBI | 1 | |
| 12 | LBI | LBI | 1 | |
| 13 | Arm-in-arm | RBO3 | RFI | 1 + 1 |
| 14 | LFO RFI-Ch | LFO RFI-Ch | 1 | |
| 15 | LFO | LFO | 1 | |
| 16 | CR-RFO3/RBIO | CR-RFO3/RBIO | 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 | |
| 17 | XF-LBI XB-RBO | XF-LBI XB-RBO | 1 | |
| 18 | XF-LBI | XF-LBI | 1 | |
| 19 | RBO-Sw | RBO-Sw | 2 | |
| 20 | XB-LBO | XB-LBO | 1 | |
| 21 | XF-RBI | XF-RBI | 1 | |
| 22 | LFI XB-ClSSt | LFI XB-ClSSt | 2 | |
| 23 | RBO | RBO | 2 | |
| 24 | Closed (hand to hand) | XF-LBI | XF-LBI RBO-Ch | 1 |
| 25 | RFI | LBI | 1 | |
| 26 | Wd-LFI | Wd-RBI | 1 | |
| 27 | Wd-RFI | Wd-LBI | 1 | |
| 28 | LFO XF-RFI | RBO XF-LBI | 1 | |
| 29 | Closed (hand to hand) | XB-LFO XF-RFI | XB-RBO XF-LBI | 1 |
| 30 | XB-LFO XF-RFI | XB-RBO XF-LBI | 1 | |
| 31 | LFO | RBO | 1 | |
| 32 | Separate | RFI LFI3 | LBI RFI3 | 1 + 1 |
| 33 | Closed (hand to hand) | RFO3 | LFO-Rk | 1 + 1 |
| 34 | LBO XF-RBI | RFO XF-LFI | 1 | |
| 35 | XB-LBO XF-RBI | XB-RFI XF-LFI | 1 | |
| 36 | XB-LBO XF-RBI | XB-RFO XF-LFI | 1 | |
| 37 | LBO | RFO | 1 | |
| 38 | Semi-open | RBO3 | LFI RFI | 1 + 1 |
| 39 | Closed | LFO-Sw | LFI RFI3 | 2 |
| 40 | RFI3 | LFO-Sw | 1 + 1 | |
| 41 | LFI OpCSt RBI | RFO LFO-Ch | 1 | |
| 42 | LBI | RFI | 1 | |
| 43 | RFI LFO-Ch | LFI OpCSt RBI | 1 | |
| 44 | RFI | LBI | 1 | |
| 45 | Wd-LFI RFO-Ch | Wd-RBI LBO-Ch | 1 | |
| 46 | Wd-LFI | Wd-RBI | 1 | |
| 47 | Wd-RFI LFO-Ch | Wd-LBI RBO-Ch | 1 | |
| 48 | Wd-RFI | Wd-LBI | 1 | |
| 49 | LFI OpCSt RBI | RFO LFO-Ch | 1 | |
| 50 | LBI | RFI | 1 | |
| 51 | RFI LFO-Ch | LFI OpCSt RBI | 1 | |
| 52 | RFI | LBI | 1 |
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 Yankee Polka is bouncy and quick, with one-beat edges and very short steps on the “and” between counts, yet US Figure Skating still expects steady stroking and flow. Partners must stay close so the fast turns do not whip them apart.
It moves through several holds: open, a high Kilian with hands raised above shoulder level, arm-in-arm with the free hands on the hips, and a hand-to-hand version of closed. The rulebook singles out the forward outside three-turn with an immediate change of edge on step 16, which must not become a rocker, and the turns on steps 32 and 33, skated in opposite directions.
It is not on the British Ice Skating pattern dance lists. US Figure Skating tests it at International level.
Appears in
In the USA's grades
None of the American level lists in this guide name it.