Choctaw

A two-foot turn from a forward edge to the opposite backward edge or vice versa.

a. Closed – (American Dance) A Choctaw with the free leg in front of the body after the turn. In this type of turn, the free foot upon becoming employed progresses past the tracing foot. This type of turn is referred to as a progressive type turn.

(International Dance) A Choctaw in which the free foot is placed on the floor along the outer edge side of the skating foot at the heel. Following the weight transference, the position of the new free foot is in front of the toe of the skating foot. The final closed hip position gives this Choctaw its name.

b. Open – A Choctaw with the free leg in front of the body after the turn. In the forward-to-back variety, the turn is executed heel to heel with the new free foot moving into the line of travel as the old free foot takes the floor. In the back-to-forward variety, the turn is executed from behind the heel, with the free leg trailing after the turn. This type of turn is referred to as a chasse’-type turn.

c. Dropped – A Choctaw, either open or closed, where the second or turn edge is not held longer than one beat.

d. Held – A Choctaw, either open or closed, the second, or turn edge, of which is held longer than one beat of music.

e. Swing Choctaw – A Choctaw in which the free foot is swung forward passed the skating foot and is brought back close behind the skating foot before stepping down. It may be either an open or closed Choctaw depending on where the new skating foot takes the floor and the position (open or closed) of the new free hip.