Pattern dances (also called set pattern dances or pattern dance elements) are a required element of the rhythm dance (RD) segment of ice dance. They have been defined as "the design of the dance on the ice". The International Skating Union (ISU), the organization that governs and oversees figure skating, has published pattern dance diagrams that include everything ice dancers need to know to perform one complete pattern, or sequence, of each dance. Pattern dances must adhere to the following requirements: accuracy, placement, skating skills, timing, style, unison, and presentation.
The ISU has published and has approved 32 pattern dances teams can use: the American waltz, the Argentine tango, the Austrian waltz, the blues, the cha cha, the cha cha congelado, the Dutch waltz, the European waltz, the Finnstep, the foxtrot, the golden waltz, the hickory hoedown, the Kilian, the midnight blues, the Paso Doble, the quickstep, the Ravensburger waltz, the rhumba, the rhythm blues, the rocker foxtrot, the silver samba, the starlight waltz, the swing dance, the tango, the tango Canasta, the tango fiesta, the tango romantica, the tea-time foxtrot, the ten-fox, the Viennese waltz, the willow waltz, and the Yankee polka.
Background Pattern dances, which the International Skating Union (ISU), the organization that governs and oversees figure skating, defines as "the design of the dance on the ice", are a required element of the rhythm dance (RD) segment of ice dance. In the summer of 1938, the National Ice Skating Association (now called British Ice Skating) held a conference in London, where they discussed the creation of new ice dances. In November 1938, they held a competition open to amateur and professional ice dance teams, featuring the new dances they had created. The judges voted on their favorites, and the winning dance was the Argentine tango, followed by the Paso Doble and the quickstep.
The RD must include a set pattern dance, tern dances consist of prescribed patterns, steps, and turns skated to a defined rhythm and constant tempo. Pattern dance diagrams, published by the ISU, include everything ice dancers need to know to perform one complete pattern, called a sequence, of the dance. The pattern dance begins after the skaters make introductory steps. A section of the pattern dance is part of a pattern dance sequence, and a pattern dance element is "a series of prescribed steps, turns and movements in a Rhythm Dance", consisting of a sequence, section, or combination of steps and turns.
There are two types of pattern dances, the set pattern dance and the optional pattern dance. The set pattern dance is a pattern dance in which the "location, direction and curvature of all edges to be skated are designated in the diagram", as long as the diagram is followed as closely as possible. The optional pattern dance is a pattern dance in which the pattern may be changed by the team, if the original step sequences, positions, and timing are kept the same. Each repetition of the changed pattern must also be executed in the same way, and it must be commenced from the same place. Ice dancers can choose to perform the set pattern dance, following as closely as possible the directions, locations, and curvatures of all edges as designated in the diagram, which includes all the information needed to execute a complete pattern (or sequence) of the dance.
Dance teams may include optional introductory steps before the commencement of their pattern dances, but they are not counted as part of the pattern dance elements; the first step of the pattern dance must begin immediately after them. The music chosen by the ice dance teams for pattern dances, as is the case for the music used throughout the RD, can include vocals, must be "suitable for Ice Dance as a sport discipline", and must reflect the character of the music and/or selected dance rhythms and/or themes.
Requirements Pattern dances must follow the general requirements listed below:
Accuracy. All steps, edges, elements/movements, and dance holds must follow the dance's description and ISU rules and regulations. Ice dance teams, however, are given "some latitude" so that they can "demonstrate their own individual style", which is usually accomplished by the use of a variety of arm and/or leg movements. The partners can execute arm and/or leg movements different from those prescribed, as long as the lead partner's hand remains in the prescribed hold position. Placement. The ISU prescribes that "maximum utilization of the ice surface is desirable". This requires deep edges and good flow throughout the pattern dance. Skating skills. The ISU states, "Good basic skating skills are required". These skills include the following: Deep edges with speed, flow, and easy glide, in an effortless manner. Cleanness and sureness of steps, edges, and transitions. The partners must carry their weight over their skating foot. Neat and precise footwork. Two-footed steps must be avoided except when prescribed. Good and equal technical ability demonstrated by both partners. The partners' skating-leg knees should be flexible, with a rhythmic rise and fall. Timing. The pattern dances, from the start, should be skated in strict time to the music. The prescribed number of beats for each step/movement must be coordinated with the music, and all steps must be completed without breaks in continuity. Style. The skaters' carriage should be upright, but not stiff, and with their heads held up. The ISU states, "All actions should be easy and flowing and performed in an elegant matter". All dance holds should be firm, and the fingers should not be spread or clenched. The partners should not apparently struggle for speed, and "speed should not be obtained at the expense of good style". Their free legs should be extended, with the foot turned out and pointed downward. Unison: The partners should skate as close together as possible while keeping a constant distance between them. All movements (leg swings, knee bends, and lean) should be well-coordinated and equal, the partners' performance should be balanced, and they should "move as one". The lead partner should demonstrate their ability to lead, and the follow partner should demonstrate their ability to follow. Presentation. The ISU prescribes that "the dance should be skated smoothly and rhythmically with the character of the music being correctly displayed" and "the partners should relate to one another". The partners' interpretation of the music and the dance should be demonstrated "by variations in the executions of dance movements" that reflect the music's rhythm patterns. Each pattern dance should have a distinct flavor.
Dance patterns
American waltz It is unknown who invented the American waltz, and the date of its first performance is also unknown. It is skated in the music rhythm of the waltz , and at a tempo of 66 three-beat measures per minute (198 beats per minute). All skating strokes are six beats in length, and like all waltzes, turns are made on the fourth beat. A waltz with three beats is not used because it would lose the waltz expression necessary in the dance. Each step of the American waltz is held for six beats (two measures of music), which means each step has considerable length. The skaters visually express waltz-type music, which consists of "evenness of flow between points of major and minor emphasis" in the music. The points of major emphasis are marked by the skaters' changes of feet and by the bending of their skating knees, while the points of minor emphasis are marked by turns, but are not emphasized.
The American waltz is skated both toward and away from the rink's midline. The sequence of steps in the American waltz is the simplest of any ice dance because of the amount of rotation created by the team. It is, however, one of the most difficult to skate correctly because to rotate smoothly, the team must keep their shoulders parallel to the center of rotation between them instead of "having one partner whip around the other" during the three-turns they execute. The rotation must also be even and continuous, instead of consisting of sudden jerks with pauses between steps. The partners must execute their three-turns, which are called "American waltz-type three-turns" in this dance, with their feet close together. They must maintain a close waltz hold throughout the dance, synchronizing their free-leg swings with each other and in time with the music. The skaters' knee action adds a lilt to the dance, which must be gradual or well-controlled; if not, the dance could become bouncy, and the skaters may lose balance and control. They must maintain an upright posture, using a well-controlled shift in body weight while beginning each section of the dance.
See also
American ice dance team Karen Li and James Zhu perform the American Waltz to "Snowman" by Sia
Argentine tango The Argentine tango was invented by Reginald J. Wilkie and Daphne B. Wallis, and was first performed in London, England, in 1934. It is skated in the music rhythm of the tango , and at a tempo of 24 two-beat measures per minute (96 beats per minute). It is not hard to learn, despite its many steps, and is mostly made up of several sequences of rapid steps.
The Argentine tango should be skated with strong edges and with "considerable 'élan'". It is composed of strong, flowing edges that should express its "true feeling and character". It covers the entire circumference of the ice rink surface and starts and finishes at the same point. The dance begins in the right-hand forward corner of the rink, with the partners in an open hold. It includes progressive and chassé sequences, as well as cross rolls, a counter step, a three-turn, an S step (previously called the "mohawk step"), a twizzle, and a variety of edges. Late in the dance, the partners must skate hip-to-hip for a couple of steps. The cross rolls must be skated lightly and on well-curved edges. Partners execute both open and closed holds and a Kilian hold, a type of hold in which the partners face each other in the same direction.
See also
French ice dancers Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat's Argentine tango (2000)
Austrian waltz The Austrian waltz was invented by Austrian ice dancers Susi Handschmann and Peter Handschmann, and was first performed in Vienna, Austria, in 1979. It is skated in the music rhythm of the waltz , and at a tempo of 60 four-beat measures per minute (180 beats per minute). The dance is "characterized by elegance of line combined with the typical lightness of the Viennese Waltz". It should be skated with strongly curved edges, the bending of the skating knee, and wide, extended movements of the free legs and the arms, "while maintaining a slow flow throughout" the dance.
The Austrian waltz starts in a Kilian hold. During its three-turns, the partners are in a closed hold, with their feet close together. The follow partner's twizzles should be skated in front of the lead partner and executed with the free foot crossed in front of the skating foot. There should be no stops in the flow of the dance, which is accomplished by the lead partner's hand supporting the follow partner's turns. The steps and movements of the Austrian waltz are composed of various turns and movements on both edges of the skate, including three steps, twizzles, cross rolls, a Ravensburger-type three-turn, a swing roll, and a rocker step. At one point, about halfway through the dance, one step ends with a "twizzle-like" motion, and both partners change to a "waltz" hold while their arms are extended in "helicopter" style as the lead partner skates backward. Then they execute European waltz-type three-turn steps while in a close hold.
Blues