Technical Merit For both the short program and the free skate, a technical merit mark is given. In the short program, there are mandatory deductions for falls, incomplete or unattempted elements, added elements, etc. In ascending order of difficulty, the jumps are salchow, toe loop, loop, flip, lutz and axel. Each revolution added increases the difficulty of the jump. But more than that, judges look at the speed flowing in and speed flowing out, how high the jump is, how solid the landing, how clean the take-off and landing.
Good spins are fast and centered.
They should stay in one spot and not travel across the ice. Spins in creative and difficult positions usually score higher. This footwork is the thread that holds the entire program together. It should be fast, intricate, quiet and contain a variety of straight, circular and serpentine patterns. It can include spread eagles, spirals, etc.