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Glossary

Amanda Evora and partner Mark Ladwig execute a throw during the 2007 pairs free skate. They finished fourth. (File)

AXEL JUMP - One of the most difficult jumps, which takes off from the forward outside edge and is landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. A single Axel consists of 1.5 revolutions, a double is 2.5 revolutions, and a triple is 3.5 revolutions.

CAMEL SPIN - A spin which is done on one leg with the non-skating leg, or free leg, extended in the air in a position parallel to the ice. The body remains in this “spiral” position while spinning.

COMPULSORY DANCE - A dance that has prescribed rhythms and specific steps that must be done in an exact manner with exact placement on the ice. All skaters do the same compulsory dance in an event.

DEATH SPIRAL - A pairs move in which the man spins in a pivot position while holding one hand of his partner, who is spinning in a horizontal position with her body low and parallel to the ice.

FLIP JUMP - A toe-pick-assisted jump taken off from the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

HAND-TO-HAND LOOP LIFT - A lift in which the man raises his partner, who is in front of him and facing the same direction, above his head. She remains facing the same direction, in the sitting position with her hands behind her, while her partner supports her by the hands.

HYDRANT LIFT - A lift in which the man throws his partner over his head while skating backward, rotates one-half turn and catches his partner facing him.

LAYBACK SPIN - Generally performed by women, the layback spin involves an upright spin position where the head and shoulders are dropped backward and the back arches.

LUTZ JUMP - A toe-pick-assisted jump taken off from a back outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The skater glides backward on a wide curve, taps his toe pick into the ice, and rotates in the opposite direction of the curve.

PLATTER LIFT - A lift in which the man raises his partner overhead with his hands resting on her hips. She is horizontal to the ice, facing the back of the man, in a platter position.

SALCHOW - Another edge jump taken off from the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Created by Ulrich Salchow.

SPIRAL - A move in which a skater demonstrates flexibility and a fluid line by extending his or her non-skating leg behind them into the air during a long glide.

STAR LIFT - A lift in which the man raises his partner by her hip, from his side into the air. She is in the scissor position, with either one hand touching his shoulder, or in a hands-free position.

STEP SEQUENCE - A sequence of steps that immediately follows one another, executed in time to the music and choreographically related to each other.

SWIZZLE - A method of two-foot progression, either forward or backward, by an in-and-out movement of the feet on inside edges.

THROW JUMP - A pairs move in which the male partner assists the woman into the air, she then executes 1, 2, 3 or 4 revolutions and lands skating backward.

TOE LOOP - A toe-pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same back outside edge.

TOE OVERHEAD LIFT - A lift in which the man swings his partner from one side of his body, around behind his head and into a raised position. She is facing the same direction as the man in a split position.

TWIST LIFTS - The group of pairs lifts where both partners begin skating backwards, and the man lifts his partner over his head and tosses her in the air. While airborne, she will execute full or half rotations. The man catches his partner and places her back on the ice.

U.S. Figure Skating