Mohawk or Choctaw, Anyone?

A mohawk is a simple ice skating turn. A similar, but more difficult turn is a choctaw turn. Most beginning skaters have some difficulty mastering a mohawk at first, but with practice, the turn becomes easy.

I've always wondered why these two ice skating turns are named after American Indian tribes? I read once that American Indian dances have turns in them and ice skaters copied the Indians!

• Definition of a Mohawk
• Definition of a Choctaw
• Drawing of a Forward Inside Mohawk

_{Drawing of a Mohawk Turn - Courtesy of Artist Larisa Gendernalik}