This figure is formed by turning from the outside edge forward to the
inside edge backward on the same foot. The head of the 3 is formed like
the half circle, on the heel of the outside edge; but when the half
circle is complete, the skater leans suddenly forward, and rests on the
same toe inside, and a backward motion, making the tail of the 3, is
the consequence. The figure described by the right leg should be nearly
in the form of No. 1; and on the left leg should be reversed, and
resemble No. 2.
[Illustration: 1.]
[Illustration: 2.]
At first, the skater should not throw himself quite so hard as hitherto
on the outside forward, in order that he may be able the more easily
to change to the inside back. He may also be for some time contented
with much less than a semicircle before he turns. Having done this,
and brought the left leg nearly up to the other, he must not pass it
on in advance, as he would to complete a circle, but throw it gently
off sidewise, at the same moment turning the face from the right to
the left shoulder, and giving the whole person a slight inclination to
the left side. These motions throw the skater upon the inside of his
skate; but as the first impulse should still retain most of its force,
he continues to move on the inside back, in a direction so little
different, that his first impulse loses little by the change. (Plate
XIX. fig. 1.)
[Illustration: _Plate XIX_
_Page 77._