3 turn


A 3 turn is a figure skating element which involves both a change in direction and a change in edge. For example, when a skater executes a forward outside 3 turn, the skater begins on a forward outside edge and finishes on a backwards inside edge. There are eight 3 turns in all: one for each possible combination of direction, skating foot, and edge.
The turn is named for the tracing that it makes on the ice. Each edge makes a curve, and the change of edge in between them is marked by a point. It looks roughly like the number three.
3 turns are considered basic turns in figure skating. Along with mohawk turns, they are the first one-foot turns learned by beginning skaters, and the most common way for skaters to change direction. 3 turns can also be used as the common entrance to a toe loop jump and the flip jump.