They are done as a 3 step on alternating lobes, or a 2 step on a circle, but the name Chasse is for one particular step where the foot is lifted and "chases" the other foot.
When I first started talking about Ice Dancing technique I talked about "Edges and Lobes" and that covers the forward and backward edges. Then, before I described the first forward Ice Dancing steps (forward Chasses, Progressives and Swing Rolls), I described the "Deep Forward Edges" and an exercise called Forward Edge Presses. I will describe the Backward Deep edges later because I think the Backward Chasses are easier to do (having 3 steps on a lobe) then the Backward Edge, which requires to hold that edge for the whole lobe... I'm bringing back the talk about the lobes because transitioning between lobes (changing direction) is a skill in its own, separate from any step. For backward lobes it is the same principle as on the forward lobes, just harder to do at beginner level.
I described in my previous post the backward push and the posture and balance when skating backwards.
Here are my chasses on alternating lobes:
Intro steps: you need some speed going into any pattern. I've got used to do 2 forward strokes, Mohowk, 2 back strokes, that would bring me to the axis going on the lenght of the rink.
First lobe:
1.Right Back Outside Edge (RBO). Use the backward push into it, and push straight away, perpendicular from the axis, put the right foot on an outside edge as you push and hold the free foot extended (it should and will match the partner extension stroking forward). The upper body is turned a little toward the inside of the circle.
2.Left Inside Chasse. There is no push to get on the inside edge, you kind of fall into it. Lift free foot flexed and keep it close to the skating foot. And press the inside edge. The inside edge should bring you to the top of the lobe (middle).
3.RBO Edge. There is a push from the inside edge onto this outside edge and it is straight back, parallel with the imaginary axis (I'm not doing it, you can see in the video, I push around). You put the skating foot on an outside edge and that edge and the lean of the whole body into the circle should bring you around the lobe. And you hold the extension again.
Changing the lobes:
- When there is 1/4 left of the last outside edge lobe, you rise keeping the weight on the skating foot, that is straighten your skating leg while pressing into the ice, bring the free foot near the skating foot (using the inner tights muscle like a scissor motion), and holding the core engaged, square the upper body to be perpendicular to the circle, when you'll take the new push back, the upper body will be over the imaginary axis)
- Still keep the weight over the skating foot and re bend and flip your outside edge on an inside edge to prepare for the new backward push while rotation the upper body slightly to face the new circle and... push and start a new lobe
- I certainly couldn't do this holding the weight over the skating side, I was "falling onto the new edge, so basically I was transitioning between lobes on two feet. And that is acceptable for a beginner and for the Pre-Bronze pattern dances. At this point I was still working in finding the balance going backwards. Nowadays, after 2 years I've learned the backward chasses and I work and test the Bronze pattern dances, I have days when this transition is better. The one exercise that I felt helped is the edge presses. I've described just the forward ones, but I'll describe the backward edge presses soon.
And here is a video and instructions for doing the chasses on a circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7aV-IbyElA&t=73s
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