Counter turn

Figure skating element

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 on a curve in the same sense as the turn. Another way to look at it is that a counter is similar to the entry of a bracket turn combined with the exit of a three turn. (The opposite combination is called a rocker turn.) ^[1]

While counters are sometimes used to perform a simple change of direction, they more commonly appear in step sequences and in compulsory dances in ice dancing. For example, in the Westminster Waltz, the lady performs a rocker while the man performs a counter turn. Counters also appear on the USFSA's Novice-level moves in the field test.^[2]

Notes

^ "Recognizing the 1-foot Turns". sk8stuff.com.
^ "MIF Test Elements (Interim-Senior)". sk8stuff.com.

Figure skating

International Skating Union (ISU)
National federations
World Standings
Records and statistics

Competitive
skating

General	Glossary of terms History Figure skate Rink Club Competition Season ISU Judging System 6.0 system
Disciplines	Single skating Pair skating Ice dance Synchronized skating Four skating
Segments	Compulsory figures Demise and revival Special figures Short program Free skating Compulsory dance Original dance Rhythm dance Free dance

International
competitions

Singles, pairs and ice dance	Olympic Games World Championships European Championships Four Continents Championships Grand Prix (Final) Challenger Series World Team Trophy Youth Olympic Games World Junior Championships Junior Grand Prix (Final)
Synchronized skating	World Championships World Junior Championships Junior World Challenge Cup Challenger Series

Elements
and other
moves

Required elements	Choreographic sequence Death spiral Jumps Lifts Spins Step sequence Competition elements in ice dance
Jumps	Axel jump Euler jump Flip jump Loop jump Lutz jump Salchow jump Toe loop jump Quadruple jump
Spins	Upright spin Layback spin Biellmann spin Sit spin Camel spin
Steps, turns and basic strokes	Three turn Bracket turn Choctaw turn (S step) Counter turn Crossover Loop turn Mohawk turn (C step) Rocker turn Twizzle turn
Moves in the field	Besti squat Cantilever Hydroblading Ina Bauer Spiral Spread eagle