Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Singles Short Program
The Short Program contains 7 required elements performed within a maximum time of 2 minutes 40 seconds. Skaters must execute each prescribed element; omitting a required element results in zero value for that element. The required elements (subject to annual ISU Communication updates) typically include:
- A double or triple Axel.
- A triple or quadruple jump preceded by connecting steps/movements.
- A jump combination (two jumps or a jump + Euler + jump).
- A flying spin or spin with a flying entry.
- A spin combination with only one change of foot.
- A spin in one position with no change of foot (camel, sit, or layback for women).
- A step sequence utilizing the full ice surface.
5.2 Singles Free Skating
The Free Skating segment allows free choice of elements within ISU maximums, performed in 4 minutes (senior men and women; reduced from 4:30 for men in 2022). Key constraints include:
- Maximum of 7 jump elements (of which at most 3 may be combinations or sequences).
- Maximum of 3 spins (one must be a combination spin, one a flying or flying-entry spin).
- One step sequence and one choreographic sequence (ISU Communication No. 2788 confirms the Choreographic Sequence under Rule 612 Single Skating: at least two different skating movements — spirals, arabesques, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, jumps of maximum two revolutions, spins, etc. — commencing with the first choreographed movement and ending with the last; it carries a fixed base value evaluated on GOE only).
- Each type of triple or quadruple jump may be performed a maximum of twice, and at least one instance must be in a combination or sequence.
- Elements in the second half of the program receive a 10% base value bonus, rewarding difficult elements executed under fatigue.
5.3 Jump Elements
Six types of jumps are recognized, listed here in order of ascending base value (difficulty):
- Toe Loop (T): Toe-assisted jump taking off from the back outside edge of the landing foot.
- Salchow (S): Edge jump taking off from the back inside edge.
- Loop (Lo): Edge jump taking off from the back outside edge (same as landing edge).
- Flip (F): Toe-assisted jump taking off from the back inside edge.
- Lutz (Lz): Toe-assisted jump taking off from the back outside edge on a counter-rotational entry (long backward glide on the outside edge). Distinguished from the Flip by the takeoff edge.
- Axel (A): The only jump with a forward takeoff (front outside edge), requiring an extra half-revolution. A triple Axel is 3.5 revolutions; a quadruple Axel is 4.5 revolutions.
Jumps may be performed as singles (1 revolution), doubles (2), triples (3), or quadruples (4). Per the Scale of Values in ISU Communication No. 2786 (effective July 1, 2026), the quadruple toe loop carries a base value of 9.50, the quadruple Lutz 11.50, and the quadruple Axel 12.50. Quadruple jumps are now standard in senior men's competition. The same Scale of Values also lists base values for quintuple jumps (toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, and Lutz, each valued at 14.00) for the first time, reflecting the direction of the sport's technical ceiling, though quintuple jumps have not yet been landed in ISU competition.
5.4 Spins
Three basic spin positions exist, with variations:
- Upright spin: Skater spins in an upright position. Variations include the scratch spin, layback spin (arched back), and Biellmann spin (free leg pulled overhead).
- Sit spin: Skating leg bent to at least a 90-degree angle. Variations include the cannonball, broken leg, and pancake positions.
- Camel spin: Free leg extended backward at or above hip level. Variations include the donut spin and flying camel.
- Combination spin: Must include at least two basic positions with no more than one change of foot.
Spins are assigned levels (Base through Level 4) based on features such as difficult variations, change of edge, number of revolutions in a difficult position, and change of foot. ISU Communication No. 2788 (Levels of Difficulty, Season 2026/27) adds a new Level 4 feature for the 2026/27 season: Windmills, which must be executed three times in a row, each reaching close to a split position (at least 135 degrees), to count as a feature. The same communication removes "difficult change of position on the same foot" from the list of features that alone can secure Level 4, downgrading it to a normal (non-qualifying) feature, and clarifies that a "difficult variation of a non-basic position" is no longer counted as a feature at all.
5.5 Step and Choreographic Sequences
A step sequence must utilize the full ice surface and incorporate a variety of turns (threes, brackets, rockers, counters, twizzles, loops) and steps on both feet with deep edges. Step sequences are assigned levels (Base through Level 4) based on complexity, variety, and body movement.
A choreographic sequence consists of any skating movements (spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, etc.) and is evaluated only by GOE, receiving a fixed base value.
5.6 Pairs-Specific Elements
- Throw jumps: The man assists the woman into a jump. All six jump types can be throw jumps (throw triple Axel, throw quad Salchow, etc.).
- Side-by-side jumps: Both partners perform the same jump simultaneously.
- Pair spins: Both partners spin together, with one partner rotating around the other.
- Death spiral: The man pivots on one foot while the woman spirals around him on a deep edge with her back arched near the ice. Four types: forward inside, forward outside, backward inside, backward outside.
- Lifts: Classified into Groups 1 through 5 based on the man's hand/arm position and the woman's position. Group 5 lifts (one-hand overhead) are the most difficult. Maximum of 3 lifts in the Free Skating.
- Twist lifts: The man throws the woman into the air with rotation; she completes revolutions and is caught before landing.
5.7 Ice Dance-Specific Rules (Season 2026/27)
Ice Dance's required elements and pattern dances are re-set every season under Rule 709 of the Sports Rules. For 2026/27, the applicable specifications are set out in ISU Communication No. 2795 (Requirements for Technical Specifications, updated July 14, 2026), No. 2797 (Levels of Difficulty and Calling Specifications, updated July 14, 2026), and No. 2803 (Scale of Values, effective July 1, 2026).
Rhythm Dance theme. Rule 709, paragraph 1.a) provides that the rhythm(s) and/or theme(s) are selected annually by the Ice Dance Technical Committee. Communication No. 2795 sets the 2026/27 Junior and Senior Rhythm Dance theme as "Rhythm and Waltz": any style of waltz is permitted, from traditional to modern interpretations, provided at least one additional rhythm, tempo, or dance style supports the chosen concept. The Waltz Section of the music must be skated in 3/4 or 6/8 time, and the Rhythm Dance must not be skated in the style of a Free Dance.
Pattern Dance Elements. The prescribed Pattern Dance for 2026/27 is the Westminster Waltz for Junior couples (one sequence evaluated as two sections: 1WW covering Steps 1–12 and 2WW covering Steps 13–22, skated at a constant tempo of at least 54 three-beat measures per minute / 162 beats per minute in 3/4 or 6/8 time) and the Golden Waltz for Senior couples (a section starting at Step 33, including the restart, and concluding at Step 20, skated at a constant tempo of at least 62 three-beat measures per minute / 186 beats per minute). Following the ISU Global Seminar, Communication No. 2795 was updated on July 14, 2026 to make the prescribed pattern optional for both the Junior Westminster Waltz and Senior Golden Waltz Pattern Dance Elements — couples may now deviate from the exact step-by-step pattern while still meeting the required Key Points identified in Communication No. 2797.
Creative Dance Element (Senior Rhythm Dance only). Skated to any dance rhythm/style, performed in contact (including Hand in Hand with fully extended arms). It must include movement from barrier to barrier on the short or long axis, at most one Dance Stop of no more than 5 seconds, one acrobatic movement involving agility and balance, and presentation to all four sides of the rink; touching the ice is permitted once for no more than 5 seconds, and one separation of no more than 5 seconds is permitted within the required stop.
Other Rhythm Dance required elements (Junior and Senior): one Short Lift up to 8 seconds; one Step Sequence Not Touching (Style B), skated in a Circular pattern (Senior) or Midline/Diagonal pattern (Junior), no more than two arm lengths apart, with loops and retrogressions not permitted; and one set of Sequential Twizzles (at least two twizzles per partner, not in contact between twizzles, with up to one step permitted between them).
Rhythm Dance restrictions. Duration is 2 minutes 50 seconds ± 10 seconds, with a Referee deduction of -1.0 for every 5 seconds lacking or in excess. Under Rule 709, paragraph 1.d), partners must remain in a recognizable hold (or variation of hold) throughout, except during the Creative Dance Element. Under paragraph 1.g), separations of more than two arm-lengths (measured between any part of the skaters' bodies) are treated as an error unless otherwise permitted. Under paragraph 1.j), touching the ice with the hands is not permitted for Junior couples and is permitted for Senior couples only during the Creative Dance Element.
Free Dance (4 minutes). Communication No. 2797 sets the required elements: for Junior couples, two different types of Short Lift up to 8 seconds each, or one Combination Lift up to 13 seconds; for Senior couples, three different types of Short Lift up to 8 seconds each, or one Short Lift plus one Combination Lift up to 13 seconds (with the Short Lift a different type than any lift used in the Combination Lift, and no lift type repeated from the Rhythm Dance unless performed within one part of a Combination Lift). One Dance Spin is required — the couple spinning together in any hold, on the spot around a common axis, on one foot, with or without a change of foot by one or both partners. One Step Sequence in Hold (Style B) is required, with stops, loops, retrogressions, extended Hand in Hand holds, and separations of more than two arm-lengths or five seconds all disallowed. One One Foot Turns Sequence is required: Junior couples perform it not touching, while Senior couples must perform a minimum of two of the turns in contact/hold. No jumps beyond single Axels are permitted in ice dance, and overhead lifts remain prohibited; lift duration for lifts other than the Short Lift/Combination Lift maximums above remains capped at 6 seconds under the general Ice Dance lift rules.
5.8 Warm-Up and Starting Order
Competitors skate in groups of 6 (or fewer in the final group). Each group receives a 6-minute warm-up on the competition ice immediately before skating. Starting order for the Short Program/Rhythm Dance is determined by random draw. For the Free Skating/Free Dance, competitors skate in reverse order of standing from the short segment, with the leader skating last in the final group.