EDUCATION Carol Rossignol, MD, MS, MG, MPD, MFF
The Tea-Time Foxtrot COMPILED BY KELLEY MORRIS ADAIR , BOB MOCK , AND CAROL ROSSIGNOL
In an effort to be more inclusive, references to “lady” have been changed to “follow” and references to “man” have been changed to “lead” within the descriptive text. Anyone can learn and enjoy these dance steps, regardless of gender or
role. This is especially relevant as tests can now be partnered by same-gender partners. Within the pattern drawings, references to “lady” or “man” remain in place as the graphics are copyrighted by the ISU.
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eedless to say, the past year has been more than a challenge for skating coaches across the U.S. One of those challenges is important information regarding the Tea-Time Foxtrot, which was introduced as a new pattern dance by the ISU in April of 2019. U.S. Figure Skating held a Judges Seminar, hosted by judges Barbara Buch and John Cole, at the Baltimore FSC on April 6, 2019 in Baltimore, MD to deliver and promote the educational material on the Tea-Time Foxtrot to the judging and skating community. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everything came to a halt as rinks closed, and training suffered around the world. Due to this unfortunate situation, many coaches missed important information on the development of the Tea-Time Foxtrot. Here is a brief outline of information that will get you headed quickly in the right direction: The Tea-Time Foxtrot International Dance Test The dance was invented by Sylwia Nowak-Trebacka, Natalia Kaliszek, and Maksym Spodyriev of Poland. It was first performed in Obersdorf, Germany in September 2016. For U.S. Figure Skating testing at the international level, just one pattern is required to be performed. Additionally, all international pattern dances that are partnered are now available for the solo track, including the Tea-Time Foxtrot and Finnstep. • The dance takes 56 seconds to complete one sequence/ pattern • It is a slow foxtrot at 27 measures of four beats per minute • It is 108 beats per minute (four beats faster per minute that the Rocker Foxtrot) • 4/4 timing • The pattern is optional • The steps are choreographed as: slow...quick...quick... slow…quick…quick…slow
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JULY/AUGUST 2021
The dance should be skated as smooth, effortless, with continuity, and good rise and fall with great posture. While in closed position, the partners should be nearly or lightly touching in the diaphragm area. This dance requires the lead skater to present the follow skater and the dance holds should be elegant throughout the pattern. The dance has the following sections: 1. Opening 2. “Toe Pick Hop” 3. Choctaw/Twizzle 4. Slide to the Three-Turn (skidded) 5. Mirror-Switching Joyfull Hops 6. Three-Turn Bracket 7. “Walk-Around Three-Turn” See ISU Communications No. 2241 for more detailed information about the Tea-Time Foxtrot, as well as the new PSA Dance Booklet (2021, 7th edition) pages 122-125. An instructional video is also available for download from the ISU website. Special thanks to: Martha Rasmussen, U.S. Figure Skating Judge Jeff Petri, PSA Dance Coach Barbara Buch, U.S. Figure Skating Judge ISU Ice Dance Seminar on the new Pattern Dance — Tea-Time Foxtrot | Detroit, MI, April 27– 28, 2019 (segments of this seminar are available on YouTube)
