Glossary of Common Figure Skating Terms
Glossary of Common Figure Skating Terms
If you are new to skating and want a quick primer on the lingo of figure skating, this guide is for you! For more detailed information, please see our Introduction to Skating Guides, especially the sections on competitions, the scoring system, and technical elements.
LAST UPDATED: Apr. 8, 2023
GENERAL FIGURE SKATING TERMS
Costume (n.): The outfit that a skater wears while performing their programs. Figure skating dresses resemble a leotard with a skirt. Tights are generally worn with dresses. Women may wear dresses, unitards, or pants. Men must cover their legs with pants. At high levels, figure skaters commission their costumes from professional costume designers.
Choreographer (n.): A person who creates figure skating programs. Most skaters work with professional skating choreographers on their programs, although some skaters choreograph their own programs. Choreographers create and arrange movements and elements to music, creating the vehicles with which skaters compete.
Discipline (n.): The different “types” of figure skating, consisting of men’s singles, women’s singles, pair skating, and ice dance. (Synchronized skating, a discipline involving large groups of skaters, is held separately from the other four disciplines and is not an Olympic sport.)
Exhibition program (n.): A non-competitive program that skaters perform in galas and ice shows. Exhibition programs are not scored, they are purely for entertainment and there are no requirements for what a skater should include in the program.
Figure skates (n.): Footwear that figure skaters use to skate. Skates consist of the skate boot and the skate blade. Boots are made of tough leather or synthetic material. High-level boots are custom-made to suit skaters’ feet. Blades are a thin piece of metal, about 4mm thick, attached to the bottom of the boot with screws. Skaters glide on the ice using blades. Contrary to hockey skate blades, figure skate blades have jagged spikes called toepicks at the front, allowing figure skaters to tap the toe of their blade into the ice and perform jumps.
Figures (n.): Shapes that skaters carve into the ice surface with their blades, giving the sport of figure skating its name. Historically, the activity/sport of figure skating was primarily focused on the creation and carving of figures. Elements such as jumps and spins were introduced later. The carving of “compulsory figures” was a required part of international ISU competitions until 1990, when they were abolished due to lengthy time requirements and lack of interest from TV audiences. Some skaters today still practice figures in order to master the fundamentals of figure skating.
Free skate/dance (FS/FD) (n.): The second and longer portion of a figure skating competition; called free skate/program in singles and pairs, and free dance in ice dance. Lasts approximately 4 minutes and includes more elements than a short program. There are no specific style or music requirements in the free program for any discipline. A skater’s final score is the sum of their short program and free program scores.
Gala (n.): A mini-show held after major skating competitions, where skaters perform their exhibition programs. The medalists of competitions are invited to perform in the gala, as well as other skaters in the competition, at the discretion of the competition organizers.
Ice dance (n.): A discipline of figure skating where each team is composed of one woman and one man. Technical elements in ice dance include step sequences, lifts, twizzles, and dance spins. There are no jumps in ice dance. Ice dance is loosely based on ballroom dancing. The precision and quality of step sequences and basic skating is a main focus in ice dance.
Ice rink (n.): An arena that includes a flat, frozen body of water where people can participate in ice sports, such as figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating. Most ice rinks nowadays are indoor facilities, but sports have been played on outdoor rinks in the past and present. Olympic-sized rinks for figure skating and hockey measure 30 meters by 60 meters; NHL rinks measure 26 meters by 61 meters. The ice in an ice rink is maintained by ice resurfacing machines.
Ice resurfacing machine (n.): Ice resurfacing machines are motorized vehicles that drive on the ice, scraping the surface smooth while laying down a thin layer of water that gradually freezes. There are many brands of ice resurfacers, but most people use “Zamboni” (a brand named after its creator, Frank Zamboni) to refer to all of them. At figure skating competitions, the ice must be resurfaced after every two groups of competitors.
Ice show (n.): Non-competitive events where skaters perform for the entertainment of the audience. Large ice shows are a source of revenue for skaters. Ice shows are organized by private companies or skating clubs. Most ice shows take place during the off season. Skaters usually perform exhibition programs at ice shows, or they may debut their new competitive programs at a show before the skating season begins.
International Skating Union (ISU) (n.): The international governing body of both figure skating and speed skating. The ISU was founded in 1892. It oversees international competitions and is responsible for creating and modifying the scoring system.
Junior (adj.): In international ISU competitions, a level of competition for skaters aged at least 13 and younger than 19 (21 for male pairs/ice dancers). To be eligible for international junior competitions, skaters must be within the required age range prior to July 1st, when a skating season officially starts. (Eg. If a skater turned 13 on or before June 30th, 2021, they are eligible for international junior competitions in the 2021-2022 season. If they turned 13 on or after July 1st, they will not be eligible until the following year.) Criteria for junior/senior/novice etc. levels may be different in each country’s domestic competitions.
Men’s singles skating (n.): A discipline of figure skating where one man performs jumps, spins, and step sequences. Jumps comprise the majority of points in singles skating. Men’s singles skaters primarily compete with triple and quadruple jumps.
National federation (n.): The governing body of figure skating in each country. National federations oversee the development of skating and competitions within their own country, and select skaters for international competitions such as the Winter Olympics and ISU Championships.
Novice (adj.): In international ISU competitions, advanced novice is a level of competition for skaters aged at least 10 and younger than 15 (17 for male pairs/ice dancers). To be eligible for international advanced novice competitions, skaters must be within the required age range prior to July 1st, when a skating season officially starts. (Eg. If a skater turned 10 on or before June 30th, 2021, they are eligible for international novice competitions in the 2021-2022 season. If they turned 10 on or after July 1st, they will not be eligible until the following year.) Criteria for junior/senior/novice etc. levels may be different in each country’s domestic competitions. There are also two other ISU-recognized novice levels: intermediate novice (for skaters younger than 15) and basic novice (for skaters younger than 13).
Off season (n.): The period of time roughly through May-July when no major figure skating competitions take place. During the off season, competitive figure skaters have their new programs for the following season choreographed, participate in ice shows, or go on vacation.
Olympic cycle (n.): A period of four skating seasons between Winter Olympics. Synonymous with quad.
Pair skating (n.): A discipline of figure skating where each team is composed of one woman and one man. Technical elements in pair skating include jumps, throw jumps, spins, step sequences, twists, death spirals, and pair lifts. Many elements of pair skating involve the man throwing or lifting the woman into the air. Unlike ice dance and similar to singles skating, pair skaters perform jumps.
Program (n.): A collection of technical elements and choreography set to music, performed by the figure skater, and scored by officials at figure skating competitions. At most competitions, skaters perform both a short program/rhythm dance and a free skate/dance. Their total score is the sum of their scores from both of these segments. Skaters may also perform non-competitive exhibition programs at galas and ice shows. Skaters usually perform the same programs throughout a season. Programs are sometimes referred to as “routines”, but “program” is the official, more widely accepted term.
Quad (adj., n.): 1) A jump or twist with four revolutions. 2) A period of four skating seasons between Winter Olympics. Synonymous with Olympic cycle.
Season (n.): The period of time roughly through August-April when most major figure skating competitions take place. Seasons are referred to by year, eg. the 2021-2022 season. The official start of a season is July 1st.
Senior (adj.): In international ISU competitions, a level of competition for skaters 17 or older. To be eligible for international senior competitions, skaters must turn 17 before July 1st, when a season officially starts. (Eg. If a skater turned 17 on or before June 30th, 2024, they are eligible for international senior competitions in the 2024-2025 season. If they turned 17 on or after July 1st, they will not be eligible until the following year.) Criteria for junior/senior/novice etc. levels may be different in each country’s domestic competitions. The minimum age for senior international competitions was raised from 15 to 17 after the 2022 ISU Congress.
Short program/Rhythm dance (SP/RD) (n.): The first and shorter portion of a figure skating competition; called short program in singles and pairs, and rhythm dance (or short dance, prior to the 2018-19 season) in ice dance. Lasts approximately 3 minutes and includes fewer elements than a free program. A skater’s final score is the sum of their short program and free program scores. In the short/rhythm dance, ice dancers are required to skate to a specific style of music and specific step sequences that change each season. There are no such style requirements in singles and pair skating.
Sweeper (n.): Young skaters who pick up the gifts thrown by audience members onto the ice after a skater’s performance. They are usually local skaters from the area where the competition is being held. Synonymous with flower girl/boy.
Women’s singles skating (n.): A discipline of figure skating where one woman performs jumps, spins, and step sequences. Jumps comprise the majority of points in singles skating. Women’s singles skaters primarily compete with triple jumps. Prior to the 2017-18 season, a few women had attempted or successfully landed the triple axel (a jump with 3.5 rotations), and very few women had attempted or landed quadruple jumps. Since 2018, many top level women’s skaters have added triple axels and quadruple jumps to their programs. The ISU governing body voted to officially change the discipline name from Ladies’ singles to Women’s singles in June 2021 following the recommendation of the IOC Gender Equality Review Project.
Warmup group (n.): At figure skating competitions, competitors are separated into groups. Each warmup group contains a maximum of 6 singles skaters, 5 ice dance teams, or 4 pairs teams. Each group receives 6 minutes to warm up on the ice together before each skater/team performs their own program. At most competitions, skaters with higher World Standings will perform in later warmup groups of the short program. Skating order in the free skate is based on the results of the short program. Skating order within groups may be decided by random draw, depending on the competition.
World Standing (n.): A ranking of all competitors in their respective disciplines, based on a skater’s results from the current and two preceding seasons. See this post for more information on how World Standings are calculated.
FIGURE SKATING COMPETITIONS
For more detailed information, please see our Introduction to Figure Skating Competitions.
“B” competitions (n.): Minor international competitions scattered throughout a season. Skaters compete in B competitions to increase their World Standing or try to achieve the minimum technical scores necessary for participation in ISU Championships. B competitions may host events for various levels, including senior, junior, or lower. Scores received at B competitions do not count for a skater’s personal or season’s best.
Challenger Series (n.): A collection of smaller senior competitions that top skaters often use as warmup for larger competitions, running from September-December. Some well-known Challenger events include the US International Skating Classic, Lombardia Trophy, Autumn Classic International, Ondrej Nepela Trophy/Memorial, Nebelhorn Trophy, and Finlandia Trophy. Scores received at Challenger events, like the Grand Prix Series and ISU Championships, count towards a skater’s personal/season’s best.
European Championships (Euros) (n.): One of the four ISU Championships. Senior continental championships for European countries, usually taking place in January. Entries to Euros are determined by each country’s national federation. There may be up to 3 skaters/teams from the same country in each discipline.
Four Continents Championships (4CC) (n.): One of the four ISU Championships. Senior continental championships for non-European countries (North and South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania), usually taking place in February (January in Olympic seasons). Entries to 4CC are determined by each country’s national federation. There may be up to 3 skaters/teams from the same country in each discipline.
Grand Prix Series (GP) (n.): A series of six senior international competitions in six different countries (usually USA, Canada, China, France, Russia, Japan), held annually over six weeks in October-November. Grand Prix events are high-level competitions where top skaters of the world compete, each skater participating in up to two events. After the six regular competitions, the top six skaters in each discipline based on the point system advance to the Grand Prix Final (GPF), usually held in December. For more information on the Grand Prix Series and Final, see this post.
Junior Grand Prix Series (JGP) (n.): Similar to the Grand Prix Series, but for junior skaters. The Junior Grand Prix consists of 7 regular competitions and the Junior Grand Prix Final (JGPF). The regular competitions take place in August-October, while the Junior Grand Prix Final is held at the same time and place as the senior Grand Prix Final.
National Championships (n.): A competition for the top qualifying skaters within each member nation of the ISU. Each ISU member nation is required to hold a national championships for their own skaters. For countries with many skaters, the results of the national championships may be a factor in deciding which skaters are chosen for the ISU Championships or Winter Olympics. The requirements for levels of senior, junior, etc. may be different in each country compared to international competitions. Skaters who are not age-eligible for senior international competitions may be allowed to compete as a senior in national competitions, depending on the federation.
Winter Olympic Games (n.): Olympic Games for winter sports, held every four years in February and alternating with the Summer Games. The four main disciplines of figure skating (men’s and women’s singles, pairs, ice dance) are included in the Winter Olympics. Since 2014, the Winter Olympics has also included a Team Figure Skating Event, where skaters from each country compete as a team. Only senior skaters can participate in the Winter Olympics. Entries to the Winter Olympics are determined by each country’s national federation. There may be up to 3 skaters/teams from the same country in each discipline.
World Championships (n.): One of the four ISU Championships. Most important competition in non-Olympic seasons, taking place annually in late March or early April. Entries to the senior World Championships are determined by each country’s national federation. There may be up to 3 skaters/teams from the same country in each discipline.
World Junior Championships (n.) One of the four ISU Championships. The World Championships for junior skaters, taking place every year in early March before the senior World Championships. Entries to Junior Worlds are determined by each country’s national federation. There may be up to 3 skaters/teams from the same country in each discipline.
World Team Trophy (WTT) (n.): A team competition for the top six countries in the world, held in April every other year since 2009. Each country’s team is composed of two men’s singles skaters, two women’s singles skaters, one pair team, and one ice dance team. Skaters earn points for their placement in each segment of the competition, and the country with the highest total number of points wins. The format of World Team Trophy should not be confused with the Olympic Team Event, where each discipline is weighted equally.
GENERAL SCORING SYSTEM TERMS
For a more detailed guide to the scoring system, please see our Introduction to the ISU Judging System.
6.0 system (n.): The former system used to score figure skating programs, no longer used in international ISU competitions since the 2004-2005 season. The 6.0 system was based on a set maximum score and deductions for mistakes or shortcomings.
Backload (v.): A semi-official term, a singles skater can “backload” a program by performing jumping passes in the second half, receiving a 10% bonus on the Base Value of the jumps.
Base Value (BV) (n.): A numerical value assigned by the ISU to each technical element required in a figure skating program. The Technical Element Score of a program is the sum of its Base Value (how much the elements in the program are worth) and Grade of Execution (how well the elements are executed). The Base Value of jumps may be increased by backloading, and Base Values of all elements may decrease due to various errors.
Deduction (n.): A point reduction, usually of 1 point but sometimes more, from a program’s score. Deductions may be given for falls, time violations, costume violations, illegal elements, interruption of the program, or other problems during the performance.
Edge (n.): The bottom of a skate blade is concave and has two edges: the inside edge and the outside edge. When a skater stands still with both feet on the ice, the sides of the blades that face each other contain the inside edges, and the sides of the blades that face away from each other contain the outside edges. (Diagram) The basic mechanics of figure skating rely on slicing into the ice and gliding on the edges of a blade. Many elements and moves in figure skating, including jumps, are identified by the edge on which the element is performed.
Edge call (n.): When a skater takes off from the wrong edge on a flip or lutz jump, and the Base Value of the jump is reduced. (For more information on these jumps, please see this post.) It is the job of the Technical Specialist to identify and call wrong edge takeoffs.
Grade of Execution (GOE) (n.): Part of a program’s Technical Element Score evaluating how well the technical elements are executed. Grades of Execution range from -5 to +5 in increments of 1, and are assigned by judges. Poorly-done elements receive negative GOE, and well-done elements receive positive GOE. The GOE values given by judges are translated into numerical values with the ISU’s Scale of Values, which are then added or subtracted from an element’s Base Value. Each Grade of Execution is a fraction of the element’s base value. For example, +5 GOE on a triple axel (a jump) adds 50% of the jump’s base value to its original base value.
ISU Judging System (IJS) (n.): The current system used to score figure skating programs, first implemented in the 2003-2004 season. IJS is based on assigning specific Base Values to each technical element and adding or subtracting points based on execution, creating the Technical Element Score, while other aspects of skating are separately judged in five Program Component Scores.
Judge (n.): An official responsible for scoring figure skating competitions. International ISU competitions have a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 judges. Each judge on an international panel represents a different country. There are four different panels of judges for each discipline at a competition. Judges each give their own scores without influence from other judges, and work in tandem with the Technical Panel to score programs. Judges are responsible for assigning Grades of Execution to elements and Program Component Scores to a program.
Jump (n.): An element in singles and pair skating where a skater launches into the air and rotates a number of times before landing back on the ice on one skate blade. Single, double, triple, and quadruple jumps have been performed in skating. Jumps are among the most valuable elements in singles and pair skating. Jumps are not performed in ice dance. There are six main types of jumps in figure skating: axel, lutz, flip, loop, salchow, toe loop (in order of highest to lowest Base Value). See this post for more information on jumps.
Jumping pass (n.): Refers to either a solo jump (one jump performed by itself), a jump combination or jump sequence (two or three jumps performed in quick succession). There are 3 jumping passes in the men’s and women’s short program and 7 jumping passes in the free skate.
Level (n.): Assigned by the Technical Specialist to elements such as spins, step sequences, lifts, death spirals, twists, and twizzles, based on various criteria. Levels range from B-4, with level 4 elements being the most difficult and having the highest Base Values.
Pop (n., v.): A semi-official term, a “pop” is when a skater opens up too early in the air and fails to do the planned number of revolutions in a jump. “Doubling” a jump is when a skater only performs 2 rotations instead of 3 or 4. “Singling” a jump is when a skater only performs 1 rotation. Popping a jump is a very costly error that can drastically reduce a skater’s score.
Program Component Score (PCS) (n.): Part of a program’s score evaluating aspects of a program besides technical elements. The sum of the Technical Element Score and Program Component Score is the Total Segment Score of a short program or free skate. There are three categories of Program Components: Skating Skills, Presentation, Composition. Program Component Scores are assigned by judges and range from 1-10 in increments of 0.25. Before the 2022-23 season, there were five Program Components, including Transitions and Interpretation as separate categories.
Protocol (n.): A document showing the detailed breakdown of a skater’s short program or free skate score, including the elements that were performed, levels and errors called by the Technical Specialist, Grades of Execution and Program Component Scores assigned by each judge, and any deductions applied to the score. Protocols are uploaded online after each competition and are freely available to skaters, coaches, and fans.
Referee (n.): An official who oversees the smooth progression of figure skating competitions. The referee’s duties include overseeing other ISU officials, conducting draws for skating order, granting skaters permission to stop or restart their program, timing skaters’ start times and interruptions in the program, timing the tempo of music in ice dance, deciding along with the judging panel on deductions relating to time, music, or costume violations, and ensuring ISU regulations are being followed at the competition.
Scale of Values (SOV) (n.): An ISU document listing the Base Value of, and Grades of Execution applied to, each technical element performed in a program. Grades of Execution are not necessarily the same for all elements. The Scale of Values “translates” the GOE given by judges into a numerical value that is added or subtracted from the Base Value.
Spin (n.): An element in every discipline of figure skating where skaters rotate quickly in one spot with one or both feet on the ice. There are many possible body positions in spins; see this post for more information. In pair spins and dance spins, partners in a pair or ice dance team are in physical contact with each other while spinning. Spins are assigned levels by the Technical Specialist from B-4, with level 4 spins worth the most points.
Step sequence (StSq) (n.): An element in every discipline of figure skating where skaters perform a variety of different turns and steps on their blades. Common turns and steps in step sequences include brackets, loops, counters, rockers, choctaws, etc. Step sequences must cover the entire surface of the ice, either in a straight line down the length of the rink or in a circle/oval around it. A step sequence typically lasts 20-30 seconds. Step sequences are assigned levels by the Technical Specialist from B-4, with level 4 step sequences worth the most points.
Technical Controller (n.): A member of the Technical Panel. The Technical Controller authorizes element calls by the Technical Specialists and may propose corrections if necessary. In case of disagreement between the Technical Specialists on an element call, the decision of the Technical Controller prevails.
Technical Element Score (TES) (n.): Part of a program’s score earned by performing technical elements such as jumps, spins, step sequences, lifts, etc. and how well those elements were executed. The sum of the Technical Element Score and Program Component Score is the Total Segment Score of a short program or free skate. The Technical Element Score is the sum of two parts, the Base Value and the Grade of Execution of the elements.
Technical Panel: A group of officials responsible for scoring figure skating competitions. A Technical Panel consists of 3 officials: the Technical Controller and two Technical Specialists. The Data Operator and Replay Operator assist the Technical Panel by recording and replaying a skater’s technical elements on video. The Technical Panel works in tandem with judges to score programs. There are four different Technical Panels for each discipline at skating competitions.
Technical Specialist (n.): An official who scores figure skating programs and a member of the Technical Panel. There are two Technical Specialists on the Technical Panel. A Technical Specialist identifies all the technical elements and errors present in a program. They assign levels to spins, step sequences, lifts, etc. and determine if a jump was underrotated or took off from a wrong edge.
Underrotation (n.): When a jump is one-quarter of a revolution or more short of full rotation. It is the job of the Technical Specialist to call underrotations in a program. A jump that is one-quarter short of full rotation will receive negative Grade of Execution. A jump more than a quarter rotation short will have a reduced Base Value. If a jump is more than one half of a rotation short, it is downgraded and will only receive the Base Value of a jump with one full rotation less. Underrotations can be very costly to a skater’s score, especially if they receive many calls.
TECHNICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPONENTS
For visual guides to many technical elements in skating, please see our Skating Element Gif Guides.
Camel spin (CSp) (n.): A basic spin position where the skater’s torso and free leg are perpendicular to their skating leg and parallel to the ice, creating a “T” shape with their body. Many different body positions are possible. The camel spin is a basic spin position along with upright/layback spins and sit spins. Please see this post for a visual guide to spins.
Choreographic sequence (ChSq) (n.): An element in singles’ and pairs’ free skates where the skater can do a variety of steps or connecting moves such as spirals, spreadeagles, hydroblades, ina bauers, cantilevers, and split jumps, as long as it covers the entire ice surface. All choreographic sequences have the same Base Value and are evaluated only on Grade of Execution.
Combination spin (CoSp) (n.): A spin that includes two or three basic spin positions (upright/layback, camel, sit). Please see this post for a visual guide to spins.
Composition (CO) (n.): A category of Program Component Scores evaluating the choreography and structure of a program. Judges look at the connections between elements, ice coverage, use of space, and choreography reflecting the music.
Connecting/transitional elements (n.): A variety of moves that are not assigned Base Values on their own, but can be included in programs as transitions or part of a program’s choreographic sequence. Common moves include spirals, spreadeagles, hydroblades, ina bauers, cantilevers, and split jumps. For a visual guide to connecting elements, please see this post.
Dance lift (n.): An element in ice dance where one partner lifts the other off the ice while spinning or gliding across the ice. Contrary to pair lifts, the point of contact between partners in dance lifts must be below the lifting partner’s head. (Pairs teams may perform simple dance lifts in their programs, but they would not be scored as elements on their own and would instead be considered as transitions.) The male partner usually lifts the female partner, but reverse lifts, where the female partner lifts the male partner, are also possible, though rare. There are four main types of dance lifts: straight-line lift, curve lift, rotational lift, and stationary lift. Dance lifts are a leveled element, receiving levels from B-4 based on difficulty.
Death spiral (Ds) (n.): An element unique to pair skating. The male partner pivots on the toepick of one blade while holding the female partner by one hand as she spins around him in a near-horizontal position. Death spirals are a leveled element, receiving levels from B-4 based on difficulty. See this post for a visual guide to death spirals.
Edge jumps (n.): Jumps where the skater launches into the air from the edge of a blade, without tapping a toepick into the ice. Of the six main types of jumps seen in ISU competitions, three are edge jumps: the salchow, the loop, and the axel. For a visual guide to jumps, please see this post.
Interpretation (IN) (obsolete) (n.): Before the 2022-23 season, a category of Program Component Scores evaluating a skater’s personal expression of a program’s music and choreography. Judges look at whether the skater’s movements match the music and their expression of the emotion and character of the music. This category of PCS was removed after the 2022 ISU Congress.
Jump combination (n.): Two or more jumps performed in rapid succession, with no break in between. The landing edge of one jump in a jump combination is the takeoff edge of the next jump. The Base Value of a combination is the sum of the Base Values of the jumps in the combination. In ISU competitions, combinations can include up to 3 jumps. The Grade of Execution of a jump combination is based on the Scale of Values of the jump with the highest Base Value in the combination. For a visual guide to jumps, please see this post.
Jump sequence (n.): Two or more jumps performed close together, with a small step in between. The landing edge of one jump does not need to be the takeoff edge of the next jump. A jump sequence must include an axel as the second or third jump. The Base Value of a jump sequence is the sum of the Base Values of the jumps in the sequence. The Grade of Execution of a jump sequence is based on the Scale of Values of the jump with the highest Base Value in the sequence. For a visual guide to jumps, please see this post.
Layback spin (LSp) (n.): A one-foot spin where the skater’s back is arched backwards or bent to the side. The skater’s free leg is sometimes held away from their body and their arms may be in various different positions. Layback spins are commonly seen in women’s singles skating, but rare in men’s singles skating. Please see this post for a visual guide to spins.
Pair lift (n.): An element unique to pair skating where the male partner lifts the female partner over his head while spinning or gliding across the ice. Pair lifts are among the most valuable elements in pair skating. Pair lifts are a leveled element, receiving levels from B-4 based on difficulty. For a visual guide to pair lifts, please see this post.
Pattern dance (n.): A specific step sequence that ice dance teams perform in the rhythm dance, depending on the requirements of each season. The pattern dance changes between seasons, but every team performs the same pattern in the same season. Pattern dances are loosely based on various off-ice dance styles. Examples of pattern dances include the Rhumba, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Yankee Polka, Blues, Argentine Tango, various waltzes, and many more.
Presentation (PR) (n.): A category of Program Component Scores evaluating a skater’s overall performance of a program. Judges look at a skater’s expressiveness and projection, musical sensitivity and timing, variety of movements, and unison (in pairs and ice dance).
Sit spin (n.): A basic spin position where the skater squats down so their skating leg is bent and their free leg is parallel to the ice. Many different body positions are possible. Sit spins are a basic spin position along with upright/layback spins and camel spins. Please see this post for a visual guide to spins.
Skating Skills (SK) (n.): A category of Program Component Scores evaluating a skater’s control of basic skating. Judges look at the variety and cleanliness of a skater’s edges, steps, turns, and other movements; balance and glide, flow, power, and speed.
Spiral (n.): An element where the skater raises their free leg above hip level while gliding forwards or backwards on one foot. Spiral sequences were required elements in women’s and pairs’ programs up until the 2010-2011 season. They are no longer scored as elements on their own, but can be performed as transitions or as part of a skater’s choreographic sequence. Spirals are common in women’s skating, but rarely seen in men’s skating. Please see this post for a visual guide to spirals.
Throw jump (n.): An element unique to pairs skating where the male partner “throws” the female partner into a jump. Throw jumps are worth fewer points than regular, “unassisted” jumps. Throw jumps are some of the most valuable elements in pair skating. There are six main types of throw jumps, with the same names as unassisted jumps. Please see this post for a visual guide to throw jumps.
Toe jumps (n.): Jumps where the skater launches into the air by tapping the toepick of one blade into the ice. Of the six main types of jumps seen in ISU competitions, three are toe jumps: the toe loop, the flip, and the lutz. For a visual guide to jumps, please see this post.
Transitions (TR) (obsolete) (n.): A category of Program Component Scores evaluating the variety, quality, and difficulty of movements and footwork between elements, including in the entries and exits of elements such as jumps, spins, lifts, etc. Transitions may include footwork such as steps and turns, or body movements such as spirals, spreadeagles, hydroblades, ina bauers, cantilevers, split jumps, etc. This category of PCS was removed after the 2022 ISU Congress.
Twist (Tw) (n.): Officially known as twist lift. An element unique to pairs skating where the female partner is thrown straight upwards into the air, completes a number of rotations, is caught at the waist by the male partner, and set back down on the ice on one foot. Top pair teams usually compete with triple or quadruple twists. The greater the number of rotations, the greater the Base Value of the twist. Twists are also a leveled element, receiving levels from B-4 based on a number of criteria. For a visual guide to twists, please see this post.
Twizzle (n.): An element in ice dance where both partners spin across the ice in unison. Ice dance teams typically perform a sequence of two or three twizzles per program, each set rotating in alternating directions. Twizzles can be performed in singles and pair skating as transitions or part of a step sequence, but are not counted as individual elements. Twizzles in ice dance are a leveled element, receiving levels from B-4 based on difficulty.
Upright spin (USp) (n.): A basic spin position where the skater’s torso is upright. Their free leg may be lifted into the air in various positions, or wound around their skating leg. Upright spins include scratch spins, Biellmann spins, I-spins, Y-spins, and many others. Upright spins are a basic spin position along with camel spins and sit spins. Please see this post for a visual guide to spins.