A step sequence is an element in figure skating

Figure skating

Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...

. It is a sequence of steps or moves in the field

Moves in the field

Moves in the Field is a name given to elements of figure skating that emphasize basic skating skills and edge control. In the context of a competitive program, moves in the field include spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, and similar extended edge moves.In the United States, moves...

 in a prescribed pattern across the ice. The pattern of the step sequences may be a straight line

Line (geometry)

The notion of line or straight line was introduced by the ancient mathematicians to represent straight objects with negligible width and depth. Lines are an idealization of such objects...

, circular

Circle

A circle is a simple shape of Euclidean geometry consisting of those points in a plane that are a given distance from a given point, the centre. The distance between any of the points and the centre is called the radius....

, or serpentine

Serpentine shape

Serpentine refers to the curved shape of an object or design which resembles the letter s, a sine wave or a snake; the latter is the derivation of the term.- Examples :* The Serpentine River...

. In ice dancing

Ice dancing

Ice dancing is a form of figure skating which draws from the world of ballroom dancing. It was first competed at the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, but did not become a Winter Olympic Games medal sport until 1976....

, step sequences may be skated either in hold or not touching, with the terms referring to the sequence being performed while in a dance hold or with the dancers not touching each other, respectively.

Step sequences are required elements in competitive programs in single skating

Single skating

Single skating is a discipline of figure skating, wherein a single person skates alone. Men's singles and ladies' singles are both Olympic disciplines and are both governed by the International Skating Union. The other Olympic figure skating events are pair skating and ice dancing...

, pair skating

Pair skating

Pair skating is a figure skating discipline. International Skating Union regulations describe pair teams as consisting of "one lady and one man." The sport is distinguished from ice dancing and single skating by elements unique to pair skating, including overhead lifts, twist lifts, death spirals,...

, and ice dancing

Ice dancing

Ice dancing is a form of figure skating which draws from the world of ballroom dancing. It was first competed at the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, but did not become a Winter Olympic Games medal sport until 1976....

. They vary in difficulty from level one (least difficult) to level four (most difficult). Step sequences should make full use of the ice and should be skated in the character of the music.

Elements in step sequences

Step sequences may feature many different steps and turns, rotations in either direction, use of the upper body, and changes of rotational direction through the use of turns like rocker turn

Rocker turn

A rocker turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. Unlike three turns and brackets, where the entry and exit edges follow the same curve, in a rocker the entry and exit are on opposite curves. When executing a rocker, the skater turns inward on the curve of the entry edge, but exits on a...

s, counter turn

Counter turn

A counter turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. Unlike three turns and brackets, where the entry and exit edges follow the same curve, in a counter the entry and exit are on opposite curves. When executing a counter, the skater turns outward to the curve of the entry edge, and exits...

s, bracket turn

Bracket turn

A bracket turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. The transition between edges during the turn is the same as for a three turn - for example, forward inside edge to back outside edge - but unlike a three turn, in which the cusp of the turn points into the curve of the arc on which it is...

s, and twizzle

Twizzle

A twizzle is a multirotational one-foot turn in figure skating. The twizzle is most commonly seen in ice dancing, where it appears in a number of compulsory dances and is a required element of step sequences in the short dance, original dance and free dance...

s. The steps may include mohawk turn

Mohawk turn

A mohawk is a turn in figure skating that involves a change of foot but not a change of edge. It can be done on either inside or outside edges.The most common mohawk turn is the forward inside open mohawk...

s and choctaw turn

Choctaw turn

A choctaw step is a step in figure skating that involves both a change of foot and a change of edge and lobe. Choctaws are the two-foot equivalents of rockers and counters, in the same way that mohawk turns are the two-foot equivalents of three turns and brackets. A common misconception is that a...

s. There must be variety and complexity in the sequence to achieve a high level of difficulty.

Step sequences may include short jump-like movements, so long as the jump is not more than half a revolution.

Step sequence patterns

• A straight line step sequence travels from one end of the rink to the far end. It begins at any spot along the short barrier and ends at the barrier across the rink. The skater travels the approximate shape of a straight line.
  • The patterns of ice dancing step sequences separate straight line into midline and diagonal:
    • A midline step sequence travels along the center axis of the ice rink and crosses the full length of the rink.
    • A diagonal step sequence travels from one corner of the rink to the corner diagonal from the originating corner.
• A circular step sequence uses the full width of the rink. The skater travels the appropeximate shape of a circle or oval.
• A serpentine step sequence travels from end of the rink to the opposite end. The skater travels in at least two curves. The approximate shape should be serpentine (shaped like an S).