INTERNATIONAL SKATING UNION
Communication No. 1587
SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
Clarifications to ISU Communication #1532 and #1574
Guidelines for Judges Reduction of GOE for Errors in Synchronized Skating Elements
Guidelines for Referees and Technical Panel Deductions
Guidelines for Marking of GOE (positive aspects)
1. Clarifications to ISU Communication #1532
Moves in the Field
Configurations- The configuration that will be counted for the simple or difficult variation in the case of an fm skated in a mirror
image pattern is the shape that is on one (1) side of the “mirror.” See diagram below.

Diagram:
The configuration/shape is
two (2) lines

Page 6
GROUP LIFTS – NEW TEXT (underlined)
Level 3: The supporting skaters must attempt to have at least one (1) lifting arm fully extended. The level of a grouplift should not be lowered if the supporting skaters are in a position that does not allow for them to fully extend theirarms.
EXAMPLE: A supporting skater, with longer arms, may not be able to fully extend their arms due to his/her position
within the structure of the lift as compared to the shorter skaters.

2. Clarifications to ISU Communication #1574
Page 2 - STEP SEQUENCE FEATURE – Amendments in Group 2:
NEW TEXT (underlined)
GROUP 2Three (3) different types of turns + one (1) Change of Rotation 360° or a Series of Turns
Choice of: three turn, twizzle, choctaw, rocker, bracket, counter, loop
Linking steps: may be included and consist of progressives, chasses, toe steps, change of edge, cross rolls, etc. There
must be a balance of linking steps and turns.
Page 3 – Visible Errors
NEW TEXT (underlined)
If a team meets the requirements of a Step Sequence level, no matter the number of incorrectly executed turns, thenthat level will be called.

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EXAMPLE:
If there are at least two (2) correctly executed turns in the entire Step Sequence, then s1 is called.
A Step Sequence is permitted to be executed during a mirror image pattern, however the turns executed during themirror image pattern will not be counted towards the level of the Step Sequence. The mirror image pattern will notinterrupt the Step Sequence.
-Small variances/differences in linking steps/turns/edges are permitted when beginning or ending a mirror pattern
in a Step Sequence.
A Circle in a Circle in opposite directions or two (2) separate Circles skating in opposite directions are considered
to be a mirror image pattern.

Page 11 & 12 – CIRCLE / Traveling with a hold (Simple or Difficult Variation)
Updated and Clarified-Traveling of ¼ of the ice surface must be executed with a holdA release of the hold (even to execute a 360° turn for traveling with steps) will end the traveling additional feature(simple or difficult)Page 13 – CIRCLE / Change of Rotational Direction
NEW / TEXTThe Change of Rotational Direction may also be executed towards the center of the Circle.
A 360° rotation for the cd does not have to be a “twizzle-like” rotation. As long as the rotation has started OR ended
during the period indicated by the dotted line.

At least part of the 360° rotationmust occur before the change ofrotational direction (dotted line) iscompleted

Page 19 – LINE / Pivoting and Interacting lines
NEW TEXT (underlined)-Small variances/differences in linking steps are only permitted intermittently, in order to allow each Lineto be executed correctly
Both Lines must pass each other and “maintain” an approximate 90° angle when compared to each otheras they pivot and interact*This completes the technical clarifications. Please see next section for Judges information.

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3. Guidelines for Judges Reduction of GOE for Errors in Synchronized Skating Elements
APPENDIX B / REVISEDReduce Average GOE by
Break in hold and poor hand holds
Stumble or collision with no fall

-1 GOE-1 to -2 GOE

Fall of one skater (down and up, quick recovery back into position)
Fall of one skater (prolonged period of time)
Fall of two or more skaters at one time (major error)*
Average GOE cannot be in the pluses for a major fall in an element.

-1 GOE-2 GOE-3 GOE

Note: Falls occurring in transitions (including transitional elements and linking movements) should be reflected in thecomponent scores accordingly.

ELEMENT

ERROR
Short Program and Free Skating

Block

Reduction of speed during pivoting
Reduction of speed during change direction
No regrasp of hold whenever possible during Step Sequence-1 GOE-1 GOE-1 GOEAll skaters do not use the same hold at the same time while
executing Step Sequence-1 GOE

CircleCircle rotation is slow during the traveling
Reduction of speed during change of rotational direction-1 GOE-1 GOEIntersection

Pre and/or post shape not attained
Stopping before and/or after intersection
Reduction of speed during approach and/or exit
Reduction of speed at the point of intersection-1 GOE-1 GOE-1 GOE-1 GOELine

Reduction or slow speed during pivoting
Reduction or slow speed during retrogression-1 GOE-1 GOE

Wheel

Rotation slows or is slow during traveling
Reduction of speed during change of rotational direction
For SP only: All skaters do not use the same hold at thesame time within each spoke
Poor body line/positions-1 GOE-1 GOE

Moves in the Field(MF)

REDUCE GOE-1 GOE-1 to -3 GOE
depending on the numberof skaters / moves

Visible errors within each fm-1 GOE

Movements inIsolation(MI)

One (1) lift collapses
Two (2) or more lifts collapse
Visible errors within each fe/fm
No relation between skaters in fe/fm and rest of team

-1 GOE-2 GOE-1 GOE-1 GOENo Hold Block

Element does not maintain axis
Element does not start or end close to the end barrier(s)-1 GOE-1 GOE

Pair Element

One (1) or more pairs do not lift the skater-1 to -2 GOE

Spin ElementSpin(s) not centered (traveling)
One (1) or more spins not executed
Touch down of the free foot during spin(s)-1 to -2 GOE-1 to -2 GOE-1 to -2 GOE

Step Sequence

Shallow lobes or flat edges during turns-1 to -2 GOE

Reduction of speed / flow during Step Sequence

3-1 GOE

4. Guidelines for Referee and Technical Panel Deductions
APPENDIX C / REVISED

RefereeDeduction

Points

DED 4
DED 4
DED 2

-2.0-2.0-1.0

Excessive Use of the Ice for transitions (each occurrence)
Costume/prop violation
Make-up violation
Music violation
Time violation for every 5 seconds in excess or lacking

DED 2
DED 2
DED 2
DED 2
DED 2

-1.0
-1.0
-1.0
-1.0
-1.0

Fall recovery time in excess of 10 seconds
11-20 seconds (each time)
21-30 seconds (each time)

DED 2
DED 4

-1.0
-2.0Holds in short and free program (incorrect # and not clearly recognizable)
Missing one hold
DED 2Missing two holds
DED 4-1.0-2.0

Short Program and Free Skating:
Choreography excessively facing one side
Sub-grouping more than ½ of program / excessive division of team
Excessive Use of the Ice for each element
Note: Intersections are allowed to use up to ½ of the length of the ice surface(but not more) before a deduction for excessive use of ice is to be taken.

Technical Specialists (as verified by the Technical Controller)
Falls (in any part of the program)
One skater (each time)
Two or more skaters at one time

DED 2
DED 4-1.0-2.0

Features and Additional Features
Short Program: Not according to requirements (NAR)
One (1) repeated or additional requirement
Two (2) repeated or additional requirements
Three (3) repeated or additional requirements
Four (4) repeated or additional requirements
Omitted Requirements

DED 1-0.5
DED 2-1.0
DED 3
-1.5
DED 4-2.0
Not counted / no DED

Elements
Does not meet minimum ice coverage requirements
Wrong element shape in short program
Wrong pattern (i.e. mirror pattern in a short program)
Repeated element shape in short & free program

Element Not Called
DED 3-1.5 (element not called)
DED 3-1.5
DED 3-1.5 (repeated element /shape not called)
DED 3-1.5 (additional elementnot called)
DED 4-2.0

Additional element (each one in short program)
Illegal element (each)Bonus
A +2.0 point bonus will be given to a team that displays a unique or creative innovative element or movement either in the wellbalanced program elements or in the extra elements/transitions. This bonus will be awarded only once in competition.

45. NEW JUDGING GUIDELINES

Guidelines for marking GOE of Synchronized Skating Elements(positive aspects)
These guidelines are a tool to help and encourage Judges to recognize positive aspects of elements when arriving at a GOE.
These tools are to be used together with the GOE criteria charts from ISU Communication #1529.
The final GOE of a performed element is based on the combination of both positive and negative aspects, and is calculated
considering first the positive aspects of the element that result in a starting GOE. Following this, a Judge reduces the GOE
according to the guidelines of possible errors, and the result is the final GOE of the element.
When establishing the starting GOE, Judges must ensure that the fundamental aspects of the element are at least Baselevel. After this is determined, the Judges may use the following recommendations to give a positive GOE.
For + 1: 3 bullets

For + 2 : 4 up to 6 bullets

For + 3 : 7 or more bullets

Blocks and Lines (linear elements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

must have good transitions in and out of element
superior line up and overall shape (maintained while pivoting, axis changes, changes of configurations)
uniformity in spacing of skaters (maintained while pivoting, axis changes, changes of configurations)superior and consistent speed and flow (especially during pivoting, axis changes)
precise foot placement/unison in body positions while executing
superior control of chosen holds and body positions during change of holds
quick and smooth transitions between configurations; uniform tracking of skaters during transitions
effortless execution throughout

Circles, Wheels (rotating elements)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

must have good transitions in and out of element
superior shape (circle roundness); equal spacing of spokes (in wheels)
uniformity in spacing of skaters (maintained while traveling, change of rotational direction)
superior and consistent speed and flow (especially during rotation, traveling)
precise foot placement/unison in body positions while executing
superior control of chosen holds and body positions during change of holds
quick and smooth transitions between configurations; uniform tracking of skaters during transitions
effortless execution throughout

Intersection
1. must have good transitions in and out of element
2. superior line up and overall shape including preparation and exit phases
3. uniformity in close spacing of skaters in all phases
4. superior and consistent speed and flow (especially through the point of intersection)
5. superior unison in rotations at the point of intersection
6. precise foot placement/unison in body positions while executing
7. very good and exact timing of all skaters reaching the axis of intersection at the same moment
8. effortless execution throughout all phases and point of intersection

Moves in the Field (the bullets must apply for all three (3) fm’s)
1. must have good transitions in and out of element
2. good energy and execution throughout all moves
3. good body line; controlled & superior position in moves
4. superior and consistent speed and flow during all moves
5. short set up (transition) between each move
6. superior flexibility of all skaters in all moves
7. quick and effortless ability to attain positions, variations and pattern (lined up and evenly spaced for the whole element)
8. creativity and originality

5Moves in Isolation, Pair Element
1. must have good transitions in and out of element
2. superior overall symmetry, placement and tracking of free skating moves/elements; intricate pattern used
3. superior and consistent speed and flow in entry and exit of moves/elements
4. superior body positions and aesthetically pleasing positions
5. good control in all phases of moves/elements
6. good relationship between skaters; involvement of all skaters on the team (also those who are executing other fe/fm’s)
7. effortless execution throughout (all free skating moves/elements are smoothly linked)
8. creativity and originality
Spin
1. must have good transitions in and out of element
2. good speed or acceleration during spin
3. good ability to center a spin quickly
4. good overall shape and spacing of skaters
5. superior unison in entry and exits of spins; unison of spinning rotation (equal number of revolutions)
6. good control in all phases (entry, rotation, change of foot/position, exit)
7. superior position(s) including air position in flying spins; spin with changes of position (head, arm, free leg)
8. creativity and originality
Step Sequence
1. step sequence includes a variety of turns (forward, backward, inside, outside edges are used)
2. good energy and execution throughout step sequence
3. superior and consistent speed and flow throughout step sequence (especially during change of directional rotation)
4. good clarity and precision in timing
5. strong edges and lobes used in entry and exits of turns
6. uniform tracking of skaters (unison in rotation, foot placement, leg height, body lean / line, arm movements)
7. creativity and originality
8. turns and linking steps matched to the musical structure

Milan

Ottavio Cinquanta, President

September 22, 2009
Lausanne

Fredi Schmid, Director General6