ISU Communication 2558: Singles & Pairs Levels, GOE and PCS Guidelines for Season 2023-24

The ISU has published Communication 2558: Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for Marking Grade of Execution and Program Components Season 2023/24

Summary of notable changes (underlined portions are new):

Spin Levels:

• “In Flying spins and spins in one position the difficult exit must be started from a basic position (not final windup), which must be at least reached. In spin combinations the difficult exit can be started from any position.”

• “When windmill is used as a difficult exit, it must be executed on the spinning foot.”

• Optional level 4 feature: “Both directions immediately following each other in sit, camel, Layback and difficult variation of an upright position”

Pair Lift Levels:

• “In Group 5 Reverse Lasso Lift (5RLi) when both partners skate forwards, this is considered as a difficult variation of take-off.”

Death Spiral Levels:

• “Difficult entry and/or exit is one feature and only one of them will count as a level feature. The exit must have a significant impact on the balance, control and execution of the death spiral.”

Pair Spin Levels:

• “Difficult exit – exiting in a lift or spinning movement, an innovative move that makes the exit significantly more difficult. The exit must have a significant impact on the balance, control and execution of the pair spin combination.”

• “Lifting the woman while the man is on 1 foot is a level feature when executed for at least 2 revolutions. If the woman is in a difficult position during the lift, it will be counted as a difficult variation.”

• “Pair Spin Combination can be started with a jump. Any flying entry can be considered as a feature. If one or both partners do not execute 3 revolutions before or after the change of foot, the PCoSp will be marked with a “V”. If there are less than 3 revolutions on both feet by one or both partners, the spin will have “No Value”.

GOE - Positive Aspects:

• Jumps: “effortless throughout (including rhythm in jump combo or sequence)”

• Step sequences: “Creativity of body movements including variations of free foot: This positive bullet includes creative and varied body movements and different placements of the free foot (forwards, sideways, backwards/supported or unsupported) during the step sequence.”

GOE - Negative Aspects:

• Jumps: “Poor take-off: For example a toe-assisted jump is taken off from the full blade, Toe Loop is executed like a Toe Axel or there is excessive rotation on the ice at the take-off. The reduction in GOE is -2 to -4.” (previously -1 to -3)

• Jumps: “Multiple “q” signs in jump combo/seq: -3 to -4”

• Spins: “Poor exit: -1 to -3”

• “In case of any of the following errors, the starting GOE for the evaluation cannot be higher than +2:” (added following)

  • Spins with less than required revolutions (Short Program)

  • Spins with change of foot with poor change

  • Flying Spins with poor fly

• Twists: “Poor take-off (poor speed, serious scratching, no toe-pick): -1 to -3” (previously -1 to -2)

• Death spirals: “Poor or weak position of the woman (too high/less than 1 rev in low position) or man: -1 to -3”

• Death spirals: “Woman’s or man’s weak edge quality: -2 to -3” (previously -1 to -2)

2022-23 Ice Dance Scale of Values, Singles & Pairs Level & GOE Guidelines

Communication 2473: Ice Dance Scale of Values, Season 2022-23

Notable changes:

• Increase base values of all dance lifts

• Increase base values of sequential twizzles in the RD

• Separate BVs for women and men for the Step Sequence in Hold/Not Touching (total BV is sum of woman’s and man’s BV)

• Add Choreographic Assisted Jumps (ChAJ1) with BV of 1.10, max GOE of +4.15 and min GOE of -1.10

• Add Choreographic Rhythm Sequence (ChRS1) with BV of 2.00, max GOE of 7.50 and min GOE of -2.00

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Communication 2474: Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for marking Grade of Execution and Program Components, Season 2022-23

Notable changes to level guidelines:

Step sequences (singles): “Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet executed with continuous flow within the sequence. Only one difficult turn may be repeated in the two combinations.”

Step sequences (pairs): “Two different combinations of 3 difficult turns: One of the combinations must be executed in a hold. Only the first two combinations can be counted.”

Spins (singles): “Difficult exit” added as level feature. “Difficult entrance and Difficult exit are two different features. To get credit for both features they must be executed in two different spins and the movements must be of different nature.”

Solo spins (pairs): “Difficult entrance and/or difficult exit: Only one of them can be accepted as a level feature in the solo spin.”

Pair spins (pairs): “Lifting the woman while the man is on 1 foot is a level feature when executed for at least 2 revolutions.”

Pair lifts (pairs): “No carry is considered as a feature for Juniors. A difficult carry will be awarded for Seniors in Free Skating. Inside Axel take-off is no longer awarded as a difficult take-off in 5ALi or 5SLi. Group 4 Lift can also start with a hand to arm grip to allow difficult variation of take-off. In lifts with one arm hold the second point of contact can only be given if it is not used for support. Difficult take-off must be executed before full extension of the arms.”

Jump sequences (singles & pairs) (pending ISU Congress decision): “A jump sequence consists of two or three jumps of any number of revolutions, in which the second and/or the third jump is an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first/second jump in to the take-off curve of the Axel jump. One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence. Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value.”

Choreographic sequence (singles) (pending ISU Congress decision): “A Choreographic Sequence consists of at least two different movements like steps, turns, spirals, arabesques, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, any jumps with maximum of 2 revolutions, spins, etc.”

Notable changes to GOE guidelines:

Step sequences (singles & pairs): “Good ice coverage or interesting pattern” added as +GOE feature

Jumps (singles & pairs): “Changes of edge in between jump combo: The reduction in GOE is -1 to -2. Poor take-off: For example a toe-assisted jump is taken off from the full blade, Toe Loop is executed like a Toe Axel or there is excessive rotation on the ice at the take-off. The reduction in GOE is -1 to -3. Touch down of the free foot in between jumps: The reduction in GOE is -1 to -2.”

2022 Winter Olympics: Men’s Individual Event Preview

Better late than never…? The men’s individual event at the 2022 Olympic starts today! Here’s an overview of some of the top contenders, as well as some fan favorites!

Note: Unfortunately, Vincent Zhou (USA) withdrew from the event due to a positive COVID-19 test.

See also: 2022 Winter Olympics Info & Streaming for how to watch the event

Nathan Chen (USA)

• Age: 22

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 111.71, FS - 200.46, Total - 307.18

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 111.71, FS - 224.92, Total - 335.30 

• Programs: SP - La boheme; FS - Rocketman

Nathan Chen is the 3-time and reigning World Champion, and current world record holder for both the free skate and combined total scores (Yuzuru Hanyu currently holds the short program record). After four years of growth, he’s ready to reclaim the Olympics as an experience for himself. He looked fully in command in the Team Event short program, where he earned a personal best in the segment, worlds away from his nervy skates in 2018.

Nathan’s short program to Charles Aznavour’s La boheme has the most difficult jump layout in the world, with a quad flip and backloaded quad lutz-triple toe combination. He regularly includes 4 or 5 quads in his free program to Elton John’s Rocketman. His base value and consistency make him the favorite for gold in the men’s event, with some extra room for error, but his main fight will be with himself.

Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)

• Age: 27

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: Did not compete internationally

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 111.82, FS - 212.99, Total - 322.59 

• Programs: SP - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso; FS - Ten to Chi to

The man of the hour when it comes to figure skating—and truly, when it comes to figure skating, he's the man of the decade. Two-time and reigning Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu heads into his third Olympics as one of the favorites for the podium. For the past few seasons, his number one goal has been to land the quadruple axel, a jump that no one has ever landed before in competition. It will be the first jump in his free program to the music Ten to Chi to (Heaven and Earth (and)). He first attempted the jump at the Japanese National Championships this season, where he landed it on two feet and half a rotation short. Although the risk of the quad axel and his lower base value overall will make it hard to catch a perfect Nathan Chen, never count Yuzuru Hanyu out.

During this event, watch for his incredible transitions in and out of jumps, especially in his jam-packed short program to Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Yuzuru’s biggest strengths are the quality of his elements, which can earn massive Grades of Execution, and his musicality and charisma. Keep your ears out too, for little touches in the choreography that accentuate the musical notes in the program.

Shoma Uno (Japan)

• Age: 24

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 105.46, FS - 187.57, Total - 290.15

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 105.46, FS - 197.36, Total - 290.15 

• Programs: SP - Oboe Concerto; FS - Bolero

The first skater to land a quad flip in competition, Shoma Uno has undergone some serious changes in his training situation since he won his silver medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics. After leaving his longtime Japanese coaches, Shoma went through a slump before finding himself with his new coach Stephane Lambiel. He has steadily made his way back up in the last couple of seasons, and is once again a contender for an Olympic medal.

In the Team Event short program, Shoma set a new personal best in the segment with a clean program to some rare classical music - Oboe Concerto by Marcello and Concerto in C Minor for Cello by Vivaldi. He will attempt 5 quads in his free skate to a remix of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero. Shoma has not skated this layout clean in competition for several years, but if he hits, he might well find himself on the Olympic podium for the second time.

Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)

• Age: 18

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 100.64, FS - 208.94, Total - 286.41

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 100.96, FS - 208.94, Total - 291.77

• Programs: SP - When You’re Smiling; FS - Gladiator

Japan’s latest sensation, Yuma Kagiyama will be competing at his first Olympics at just 18 years old. He burst onto the senior scene last season with a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships. He is coached by his father, Masakazu Kagiyama, a 1992 and 1994 Olympian.

Yuma has gorgeous basic skating skills and jump technique. With his Gladiator free skate, Yuma won the men’s free skate portion of the Team Event with a personal best score, helping Team Japan to a bronze medal. He has recently added the quad loop to his free skate. If he hits, and depending on how the other skaters fare, Yuma has a good chance at earning an individual Olympic medal as well.

Mark Kondratiuk (ROC)

• Age: 18

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 99.06, FS - 187.50, Total 286.56 

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 99.06, FS - 187.50, Total 286.56 

• Programs: SP - Magnificent Century; FS - Jesus Christ Superstar

A couple of seasons ago, very few people knew who Mark Kondratiuk was - now he’s the reigning Russian National Champion, European Champion, and recently helped Team ROC win the gold medal at the Olympic Team Event.

An artist off the ice, and an Artist on the ice, Mark’s main draw is his obvious passion for performing and his complete commitment to his programs. You should definitely watch his free skate to Jesus Christ Superstar. Two good skates and his momentum from this season could put him in the top 5 in the men’s individual event.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Junhwan Cha (South Korea)

Korean skating absolutely lives for the legacy of Yuna Kim, but Junwhan Cha is forging his own path as South Korea’s top man of the last few years. This is his second Olympics, and he is coming in as the reigning Four Continents Champion. He will skate to his striking Fate of the Clockmaker program in the short, and the operatic Turandot by Puccini in the free program.

Jason Brown (USA)

A fan favorite and for good reason, Jason Brown may never land multiple quads, but the quality in the rest of his skating more than makes up for it for the average viewer. His skating skills, spins, flexibility, and attention to music will be on display in his scintillating Sinnerman short program and touching Schindler’s List free skate.

Boyang Jin (China)

Boyang Jin, in what can only be called the figure skating equivalent of an arms race, was one of the first to push the frontier of how many quads a skater could land in one program. He was the first man to land the incredibly difficult quad lutz-triple toe loop combination, and his quad lutz is a sight to behold when he lands it. Boyang has struggled with consistency the last few seasons, but he has improved his presentation skills with various types of programs. He will skate to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the short program, and Bolero in the free skate.

Donovan Carrillo (Mexico)

One of Mexico’s flagbearers at the opening ceremony and crowd favorite, Donovan Carrillo has been on a long journey to be Mexico’s first figure skating entry at the Winter Olympics in 30 years. Personally, we’re rooting for him to qualify for the free skate! In the short program, he will skate to Black Magic Woman & Shake It by Carlos Santana, and guaranteed, you’ll want to get out of your seat and dance with him. Watch this documentary on the Olympic Channel for a glimpse of his training and background!

We ran out of room to include them, but keep an eye out for these skaters as well!

Michal Brezina (CZE), Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), Evgeni Semenenko (ROC), Kevin Aymoz (FRA), Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT), Andrei Mozalev (ROC), Matteo Rizzo (ITA), Daniel Grassl (ITA), Keegan Messing (CAN)

2020-21 ISU Technical Panel Handbooks for Singles and Pairs Skating

• Technical Panel Handbook for Singles

• Technical Panel Handbook for Pairs

Changes are underlined in the documents. There are minor changes to spin level features and the previously-mentioned “q” will be used to mark jumps landed a quarter rotation short.

2020-2021 Singles & Pairs Scale of Values & Level/GOE Guidelines

NOTE: As of 6/18/2020, the ISU has suspended the following two communications for the 2020-2021 season. The SOV and Level/GOE Guidelines from the 2019-2020 season will remain in effect.

ISU Communication 2323: 2020-21 Scale of Values

Notable changes:

• Base value of 3Lz decreased from 5.90 to 5.30 (now same as 3F)

• Base value of 4Lo increased from 10.50 to 11.00 (now same as 4F)

• Base value of 4Lz decreased from 11.50 to 11.00 (now same as 4F)

• Base values of death spirals are now separated based on backwards/forwards entry as well as inside/outside edge. (Previously, forward inside/backward inside had the same base values, and forward outside/backward outside had the same base values). In order of increasing base value: Forward Inside, Backward Inside, Backward Outside, Forward Outside.

ISU Communication 2324: 2020-21 Level & GOE Guidelines

Notable changes:

• New sign for marking jump rotation: A “q” sign indicates a jump that landed a quarter rotation short. (< is for jumps between a quarter and half rotation short, < < is for jumps half a rotation short or more.) “q” will not reduce the base value of the jump like < or < <, but will reduce the GOE. GOE for jumps with “q” are listed in the Scale of Values. The “q” sign can apply to both solo jumps and throw jumps in pairs.

• Spin entrance/exit: Difficult exit to a spin is now a level feature, but does not count in a spin that also has a difficult entrance, or vice versa. Windmills will no longer be considered a difficult entrance or exit.

• Pair spins: The lady can be lifted off the ice during the spin, but the man must stay on one foot.

• Poor/cheated jump takeoff: Including full-blade takeoff on a toe jump, toe axels or excessive rotation on the ice at takeoff. GOE of -1 to -3.

More changes are underlined in the document.

2018-19 ISU Technical Panel Handbooks

Technical panel handbooks for the new season have been posted on the ISU website. The latest documents available are listed here and on our Introduction to Skating page. Note that our intro guides have not yet been updated with the new rules; we will update them as soon as possible once new protocols are available.

Singles & pairs skating:

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook for Singles

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook for Pairs

• 2018-19 Scale of Values, Level and GOE Guidelines

• More info

Ice dance:

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook

• Grade of Execution of Required Elements (2018)

• Grade of Execution of Pattern Dances (2018)

• 2018-19 Scale of Values

• Deductions (2018)

• More info

2018-19 PROPOSED Scale of Values, Level & GOE Guidelines for Singles & Pairs Skating

Subject to approval at the 57th ISU Congress. 2017-2018 SOV for reference. The major changes are a reduction of jump base values, and changing from a +/-3 GOE scale to +/-5, with each GOE of an element related to its Base Value by a fixed percentage. We’ve posted a few analyses of the new values on our twitter and hope to share more in the near future!

Other changes:

• “In a program containing a Fall or a Serious error the score ten (10) shall not be awarded for any of the Components. In a program containing Falls or Serious errors the score nine-fifty (9.5) or higher should not be awarded for Skating Skills, Transitions and Composition and the score nine (9.0) or higher should not be awarded for Performance and Interpretation.”

• Singles: “A jump will be considered as “Under-rotated” if it has missing rotation of one-quarter revolution or more, but less than one-half revolution.” Previously, “A jump will be considered as “Under-rotated” if it has missing rotation of more than one-quarter revolution, but less than one-half revolution.”

• Singles: “All spins with change of foot must have 3 revolutions on each foot. In Short Program, if this requirement is not fulfilled, the spin will get “No Value”. In Free Skating the sign “V” indicates that this requirement is not fulfilled.”

• Singles: “A jump sequence consists of 2 (two) jumps of any number of revolutions, beginning with any jump, immediately followed by an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump to the take-off curve of the Axel jump.” (Also proposed in the ISU Congress Agenda)

• Pairs: Regular flying camel entry into a side-by-side spin is no longer counted as a “difficult entry” for levels. Pair spins can be entered with a jump.

• Pairs: Lift level features must be performed within the first 3.5 revolutions of the lift. For takeoff and landing there is an additional allowance of one-half revolution. A carry during a lift does not count as a level feature in the SP and only counts once in the FS.

• Pairs: Partners must stay within 3 meters of each other while crossing during a step sequence.

• ”Varied arm positions” on jumps no longer listed as GOE features.

2017-2018 ISU Scale of Values and Level/GOE Guidelines for Singles & Pairs Skating

2016-17 document for reference. Some minor changes:

• Combination of 3 turns on each foot in the step sequence: “Only the first combination attempted on each foot can be counted.”

• GOE bullet point for solo jump preceded by steps in the singles SP: “Difficult” steps/movements changed to “creative, interesting, original” steps/movements.

• GOE bullet point for twist lifts: “No scratching of the blade on the ice” changed to “Clear controlled catch”.

• “SP: Jump element not according to requirements final GOE must be -3”

• “Unbalanced number of revolutions in change foot spin” should receive -1 GOE

• “Program Components: As a guideline the score ten (10) should not be awarded for any of the components in a program containing a Fall or Serious error.”

• “Step sequence pattern: It must be visible and identifiable and should be performed by using almost the full ice surface (e.g. straight line, serpentine, circle, oval or similar shape) either in it’s length from short barrier to short barrier or twice in its width from long barrier to long barrier.” No more requirements on exact amount of ice a step sequence must cover?