Technical Tuesday - Outside Closed Mohawk

3rd Technical Tuesday is tackling the foundations of a much requested step, the Outside Closed Mohawk.
This step is found for the lady in the Bronze Foxtrot and Starlight Waltz and also for both man & lady in the Rocker Foxtrot.
Being a step considered “difficult” for ISU ice dancers step sequences, learning this step well from the get go is a major feather in a skaters’ cap.
Avoiding common errors in our early learning stages is a big advantage.
As a retired ISU tech specialist, I can share that dropping foot arches (aka pronation) are a frequent cause of incorrect edge at critical moments in this step!
This step deserves detailed attention, so part 2 is in the pipeline.
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You can use this video as a reminder of technique points between lessons with your coach and any time you want a quick demonstration🙂
We love to hear from you.
Why not pop a question in the comments section?

[@jlitt2917]

this is so great to break it down this like! thanks! i usually try to do everything all at once in one spastic mess. :-)

[@samfromuk]

Amazing content as usual. I think I have the issue you noted a 3:20 where my coach mentions my shoulders dipping on one side and this position makes my next steps harder. How can I overcome this please?

[@IceSkatingLondon]

Hi Sam,
A good core warm up before getting to the ice can help as the shoulder dipping is in part due to losing the vertical spine during the check or core twist.
Accidentally rocking into the front of the blade in this balance point will also push that error making that dip worse.
There’s an example warm up/development core twist exercise in our Outside Open Mohawk video
th-cam.com/video/eHVnyXBLNmU/w-d-xo.html

[@midgechickma]

Thank you for this . Curious is there such an execution called
INSIDE closed mohawk/ C-turn

[@IceSkatingLondon]

Yes, there is. Not often used deliberately, but most commonly seen when a Blues Choctaw is unsuccessful 😂
Ice dance humour aside, yes. Inside closed Mohawk/C-step is a real skating step

[@midgechickma]

Understood. Outside closed mohawk/C step is much harder in my opinion than the inside closed mohawk/C step. . I am pretty sure that I am on a flat and not on and outside edge😂🫣 Thanks again for your expertise

[@IceSkatingLondon]

@@midgechickma off the top of my head, there is one Inside closed Mohawk/C-step in an ISU pattern dance, for the man in the Harris Tango and another for the lady in Cha-Cha congelado. Both have the addition of a swing on entry edge. It’s a very under used step but often can show nice free leg extension 🙂

[@midgechickma]

@IceSkatingLondon wow you are so seasoned to be in the know of all these elements in ice dance .
When I get myself one day in London I will definitely want private lessons from you . Been following your videos--technically precise I've appreciated the tips, thank you. . there is so much to learn and hone I just go back to them and re-watch 👌

[@marissathefootjuggler6950]

Foxtrot