ISU Communication 2623: Singles & Pairs Levels and GOE Guidelines 2024-2025

Communication 2623

Changes in this document are pending approval at the 2024 ISU Congress in June. More information about rule change proposals will be available before the Congress. Notable changes in this document include:

1) The Euler will be a non-listed jump with no value (previously, it had a base value of 0.5). This applies to both singles and pairs skating.

An Euler (half-loop) is considered a non-listed jump, it will have no value when used in a jump combination between two listed jumps and it will not be counted in the number of the allowed jumps of the concerned jump combination. An Euler jump cannot be included in the jump combination of the Short Program. An Euler (half-loop) can only be executed once in Free Skating.

2) Addition of a choreographic spin in singles (replacing one leveled spin?)

A Choreographic Spin is a spin which enhances the choreography of the program and matches the music. Choreographic Spin must have minimum 3 revolutions executed on a blade, with any basic or non-basic positions allowed. Change of foot is optional and can be done several times during the spin. If the Choreographic Spin cannot be identified by the Technical panel, the third performed spin will be considered as the Choreographic Spin (Choreographic Spin confirmed). This element has a fixed base value and will be evaluated by the judges in GOE only.

3) Addition of a choreographic lift in pairs (replacing one leveled lift?)

A Choreographic Lift is a lift which enhances the choreography of the program and matches the music. Choreographic Lift must be ascending and descending whilst moving across the ice surface. It must have a minimum of 1 rotation. The Choreographic Lift does not have any limitations regarding the hold on entry or at any point during the lift. The lifting partner must have straight or almost straight arm(s) at some point during the lift. If the Choreographic Lift is not identifiable to the panel, the last performed lift will be taken as the Choreographic Lift (Choreographic Lift confirmed). This element has a fixed base value and will be evaluated by the judges in GOE only. The positions in the Choreographic lift will not be considered as used in the other lifts of the program. The take off may be the same as in another lift of the program and will not invalidate the other lift.

4) Addition of a choreographic pair spin

A Choreographic Pair Spin is a spin which enhances the choreography of the program and matches the music. A Choreographic Pair Spin must have a minimum of 3 revolutions executed on a blade at least by one partner, with any basic or non-basic positions allowed. Change of foot is optional and can be done several times during the spin. Lifting of partners is optional but should not consist of any lifting movement with full extension of the arm(s) if the lifted position is higher than a shoulder level. The Technical Panel identifies the Choreographic Pair Spin and will be confirmed once the 3 revolutions have been completed. This element has a fixed base value and will be evaluated by the judges in GOE only.

Solo Ice Dance Introduced as International Discipline

From the International Skating Union:

Solo Ice Dance is a parallel discipline to Ice Dance. Skaters perform the same Pattern Dances, Rhythm Dance and Free Dance segments. Ice Dance and Solo Ice Dance both draw from the fundamentals of ballroom dance and emphasize the techniques of edge work, flow and motion where Skaters must always skate to a defined beat, rhythm or theme. Solo Ice Dance has required elements that competitors must perform, creating well-balanced Ice Dance programs (Rhythm Dance, Free Dance); these programs include a dance spin, a step sequence, a twizzle sequence, a pattern dance element, edge elements, and choreographic elements. Edge elements, which replace lifts in partnered Ice Dance, consist of movements like spread eagles, bauers, hydroblades, and spirals to highlight edge control, flexibility and musicality. Solo Ice Dance follows the same elements and requirements for levels that are published annually by the ISU for Ice Dance. Each year new Rhythms and Pattern Dances are chosen to keep the sport current, fresh and entertaining.

Solo Dance is an opportunity for Skaters to develop Ice Dance skills without a partner, allowing for the sport of Figure Skating to grow. Solo Ice Dance demonstrates artistry, expression and musicality. Solo Ice Dance will also serve as a developmental tool for the discipline of Ice Dance and is an educational tool to assist our sport's developing nations in growing their athletes.  Solo Ice Dance will allow Skaters to “learn how to skate to music” which is essential in Figure Skating across all disciplines.

Documents:

• Solo Ice Dance Requirements 2023-24

• Solo Ice Dance Levels 2023-24

• Solo Ice Dance Scale of Values 2023-24

ISU Communication 2560: Ice Dance Requirements for Technical Rules Season 2023-24

The ISU has published Communication 2560: Ice Dance Requirements for Technical Rules Season 2023-24.

Summary of notable changes:

Rhythm Dance:

• Theme (senior and junior): Music from the 1980s (must be originally released in that decade)

• Junior Pattern Dance: Two sequences of Rocker Foxtrot in any order, can be skated one after the other or separately. In the first sequence, the man skates the man’s steps and the woman skates the woman’s steps. In the second sequence, the woman skates the man’s steps and the man skates the woman’s steps.

• Senior Choreographic Rhythm Sequence: Silver Samba, steps #9, 9a, 9b to #47. Woman’s/man’s steps may be performed by either one partner or both partners, “provided there is continuity of prescribed steps always performed by at least 1 partner”. Tempo at least 100 beats/min, no restriction in number of beats per step. Partners must be in contact, but any holds are permitted. (Note: This element is still evaluated as a choreographic element, not a pattern dance with levels.)

Free Dance:

• Choreographic Hydroblading Movement added as a new option for choreographic elements. Both partners would perform the hydroblading movement at the same time. If any part of the body besides the boot of the free leg touches the ice, the element may be considered a Choreographic Sliding Movement instead.

• Choreographic Character Step Sequence: Skaters may now perform this sequence in various patterns instead of only along the short axis of the rink. The pattern for the ChSt must be different from the pattern of the other step sequence in the free dance.

  • Diagonal (corner to corner)

  • Long axis

  • Short axis

  • Circular (starting and ending at the long barrier at the short axis)

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.”

ISU Communication 2468: Ice Dance Requirements for Technical Rules 2022-23

The ISU has published the technical rules for ice dance for the 2022-2023 season. (Source)

Summary of notable changes below.

Rhythm Dance:

Senior:

• Pattern: No Pattern, instead requirements include:

  • Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence (PSt): In hold, two different difficult turns each from each partner, (new) evaluated as one unit with combined level for both partners

  • (new) Choreographic Rhythm Sequence (ChRS): Evaluated as choreographic element

• Rhythm: Latin Dance Styles (At Least Two Different Dance Styles/Rhythms: Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Mambo, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Samba)

• Step sequence: Midline/diagonal, in hold, not touching or combination of both

  • Must be skated to different rhythm/style than pattern type step sequence

  • (new) Evaluated as one unit by adding the Base Values of the Woman Step Sequence Level and the Man Step Sequence Level and then applying the GOE

Junior:

• Pattern: Argentine Tango, 2 sections

• Rhythm: Tango plus at least one of the following: Paso Doble, Flamenco, Spanish Waltz, Fandango, Bolero, Jota, Sevillanas, Milonga

Free Dance:

Lifts: “The lifted partner’s pose or change of pose in the RD Short Lift must be different from the same type of Short Lift in the FD or part of the same type of lift in the Combo Lift. The repeated pose or change of pose performed in the same type of lift will be considered as a simple pose/change of pose for the FD.”

Step sequence in hold: “The Step Sequence is evaluated as one unit by adding the Base Values of the Woman Step Sequence Level and the Man Step Sequence Level and then applying the GOE.”

Choreographic elements: Choreographic Assisted Jumps added as another option for choreographic elements in the junior and senior free dance.

Choreographic Assisted Jumps: at least three assisted jumps performed in a row. The following requirements apply:

• At least three in a row (same or different)

• Cannot rotate more than 1 ½ rotations in each assisted jump by the assisting partner

• Less than three seconds off the ice for assisted partner

• No more than three (3) steps in between each assisted jump

• Either partner may do the assisted jumps

Music: “Any music of the same tempo/rhythm and expression should last no more than 75% of the program.”

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.

[2020.07.09] News Roundup

[2020.07.03] The Japanese Skating Federation cancelled the Junior Grand Prix event scheduled for Sept. 16-19 in Yokohama, due to COVID-19. Following the ISU Council’s latest meeting on July 6, the Junior Grand Prix Series is still scheduled to continue (for now). There are 5 events remaining.

[2020.07.08] ISU Communication 2334 released: 2020-21 Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, replacing ISU Communication 2254 from the 2019-20 season. The “q” sign that was introduced in an earlier ISU Communication is back. Jumps that land exactly a quarter-rotation short will be marked with “q” and receive a deduction in GOE, but full base value.

[2020.07.09] China’s Xinhua News reports that all international sporting competitions in China will be cancelled through the end of 2020, except Beijing Olympic trial events. Figure skating events scheduled in China in the fall of 2020, which will likely be cancelled, include CS Asian Open Trophy (already postponed) and GP Cup of China. The 2020 Grand Prix Final in Beijing is an Olympic trial event and would not be affected by this ruling. China is also hosting the 2021 Junior World Championships in March.

Check out our Twitter (@sywtwfs) for more news and updates!

ISU Communication 2332

The current schedule for the 2020 Junior Grand Prix Series is as follows (previously planned events in Canada and Slovakia have been cancelled). The schedule is subject to changes and cancellations.

• Budapest, HUN, Sept 9-12

• Yokohama, JPN, Sept 16-19

• Ostrava, CZE, Sept 23-26

• Tashkent, UZB, Sept 30 - Oct 3

• Ljubljana, SLO, Oct 7-10

• Riga, LAT, Oct 14-17 (newly added)

Minimum technical element scores for the 2021 ISU Championships will remain the same as for the 2020 ISU Championships. “In case that due to the Covid-19 pandemic an extended number of Competitions are cancelled during the fall 2020 the Council will review the situation in regard to the Minimum Total Elements Score again at the time of the October Council meeting.”

Suspension of the new 2020-2021 Scale of Values and Level/GOE Guidelines; 2019-2020 documents remain in effect. “Considering the worldwide COVID-19 developments and the slow re-opening of ice rinks and training activities and also based on feedback received from ISU Members, the Council decided to suspend with immediate effect the above-mentioned ISU Communications 2323 and 2324. The corresponding previous ISU Communications 2253 and 2254 remain basically in force. The Council, in cooperation with the Single & Pair Skating Technical Committee, is currently evaluating whether and to what extent some clarifications and minor adjustments to ISU Communications 2253 and 2254 would be necessary, and if so, will issue a new ISU Communication shortly.”

ISU Communications 2323 and 2324 were summarized in this post.

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.