A choctaw step is a step in figure skating

Figure skating

Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...

 that involves both a change of foot and a change of edge and lobe. Choctaws are the two-foot equivalents of rockers

Rocker turn

A rocker 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 rocker the entry and exit are on opposite curves. When executing a rocker, the skater turns inward on the curve of the entry edge, but exits on a...

 and counters

Counter turn

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...

, in the same way that mohawk turn

Mohawk turn

A mohawk is a turn in figure skating that involves a change of foot but not a change of edge. It can be done on either inside or outside edges.The most common mohawk turn is the forward inside open mohawk...

s are the two-foot equivalents of three turns and brackets

Bracket turn

A bracket turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. The transition between edges during the turn is the same as for a three turn - for example, forward inside edge to back outside edge - but unlike a three turn, in which the cusp of the turn points into the curve of the arc on which it is...

. A common misconception is that a choctaw is a turn because you go from forwards to backwards or vice versa. This is incorrect. A choctaw is a step, because it requires the change of feet. When a skater is doing a choctaw, they are not actually doing a turn. They are rather stepping from forwards to backwards or vice versa, without turning.

The most familiar choctaw seen in free skating is the step from a back inside edge to a forward outside edge that is used as the entrance to forward spins. Otherwise choctaws are most commonly used as elements of step sequences.

Choctaws are also prominently featured in several compulsory dances

Compulsory dances

Compulsory dances, now called pattern dance in ice dancing, are a part of ice dancing and artistic roller skating in which all the couples perform the same standardized steps and holds to music of a specified tempo. One or more compulsory dances were usually skated as the first phase of ice dancing...

 in ice dancing

Ice dancing

Ice dancing is a form of figure skating which draws from the world of ballroom dancing. It was first competed at the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, but did not become a Winter Olympic Games medal sport until 1976....

, including:

• The Kilian features a crossed open choctaw from a left forward inside edge to a right back outside edge, with the right foot placed on the ice slightly in front of the left foot at the turn. It is called an open turn because the left foot ends up behind the right foot after the turn.
• The Blues includes a closed choctaw, again from a left forward inside edge to a right back outside edge, but in this case the right foot is placed just behind the left heel at the turn. It is called a closed turn because the left foot is extended in front after the turn.
• The Rhumba includes a double choctaw sequence. The first is a wide open choctaw, once again from left forward inside to right back outside, but in this case the left foot crosses wide in back at the turn. From the right back outside edge, the dancers then immediately execute a wide closed choctaw to the left forward inside edge, again with the free foot crossing wide in back at the turn.