A system and method for determining the rotational speed of a motor, such as a three-phase disk drive motor, detects back electromotive force voltage generated during operation of the motor with an automatic pole calibration to minimize or eliminating variations in the wave of a freeze signal. A phase voltage at a winding is compared against a center tap (CT) voltage. Once the phase voltage falls to a specified voltage level, a detect signal is generated. A predetermined time after the detect signal is generated, a freeze signal is generated for freezing at least the circuit associated with the winding.