Basic Holds - Synchronized Skating

The ways in which skaters may "hold each-other" are limited only by the imagination of the choreographer. The following list identifies some of the most basic or common holds.

• Hand-to-Hand Hold: This hold is performed with the arms straight out to the side, at the same level. Skaters clasp hands. Arms are kept firm and in a locked position.
• Waist or Choo-Choo Hold (waist): Probably the simplest hold. Both hands of a skater are placed on the waist of the skater in front. This hold promotes "2-foot" skating -- not usually desirable.
• Choo-Choo Hold (shoulder): similar to waist hold, except that the hands are placed on the shoulders of the skater in front.
• Catch Waist Hold: Skaters are in a line, skating hip-to-hip, holding the waist of the skater to either side of them.
• Shoulder-to-Shoulder Hold: The hands of all skaters are placed on the shoulder of the person to each side. Arms overlap (cross) in a consistent pattern throughout the length of the line.
• Full Arm Every Other Hand Catch: This is a hand-to-hand catch in which each skater holds the hand of the "second neighbor" -- in other words, instead of holding the person closest to you, you hold the next one down. Arms are crossed either in front or in back. This is more difficult with arms crossed in front than in back.
• Hooked Elbow Hold: The elbows of each skater are hooked around the elbows of the neighboring skaters.
• Front Basketweave: Stand in a line, side by side, hip to hip. Extend your right hand to the side, reaching across in front of your neighbor, and take the hand of the person just beyond her. The neighbor to your left will extend her right arm across your front to hold the hand of the person to your right. Now put your left arm over the hand that is stretched across you from the left, and grab the hand of the person just beyond. The person to your right will put her left arm over your right, to take the hand of the person to your left. You have one hand over and one under, one palm facing out and one facing in. The skater on the end of the line takes the "last free hand" with her outside hand.
• Back Basketweave: as above, but hands are in back, one over and one under, one palm out, and one in.
• Full Arm Basket Weave: A very difficult hold in which alternating skaters skate backwards and frontwards. Arms are stretched, locked, and placed in the small of the back, in a basketweave pattern.