page_title: Rhythm dance
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: Rhythm dance / Background
caption_attribution_description: English: Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships in Moscow Русский: Габриэла Пападакис и Гийом Сизерон на Чемпионате Европы 2018 года в Москве
context_page_description: The rhythm dance is the first segment of an ice dance competition. The International Skating Union renamed the short dance to the "rhythm dance" in June 2018, prior to the 2018–2019 season. It became part of international competitions in July 2018. French ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron hold the highest RD score of 90.03 points, which they achieved at the 2019 NHK Trophy.
context_section_description: The rhythm dance (RD) is the first segment performed in all junior and senior ice dance competitions, performed before the free dance (FD), at all International Skating Union (ISU) Championships, Junior and Senior ISU Grand Prix events and finals, Winter Youth Olympic Games, qualifying competitions for the Winter Olympic Games, and Olympic Winter Games.  The ISU defines the RD as "a dance created by an Ice Dance Couple to dance music with designated rhythm(s) and/or theme(s)" selected and announced by the ISU yearly. In 2010, the ISU voted to eliminate the compulsory dance (CD) and the original dance (OD) and change the structure of ice dancing competitions to include the SD and FD. In the 2018-19 season, the SD came to be known as the rhythm dance (RD) because according to the ISU, the new term "is better aligned with what the competition is all about". The structure and rules for the RD. however, remained essentially the same.
  The duration of the RD, for both junior and senior dance teams, is two minutes 40 to 50 seconds long.  They receive a deduction of one point for every five seconds over or above the required time.  The RD must include a set pattern dance, which the ISU defines as "the design of the dance on the ice".  The ISU chooses the pattern dance yearly, from a list of predetermined dances.  Pattern dance diagrams, published by the ISU, includes everything ice dancers need to know to perform one complete pattern, called a sequence, of the dance. Ice dancers can choose to perform a set pattern dance, in which the direction, location, and curvature of all edges as designated in the diagram, and followed as closely as possible. They can also perform the optional pattern dance, a pattern dance which can be altered as long as the dancers maintain the original dance's step sequences, timing, and positions, and if each repetition is performed in the same way and is restarted from the same place as the first repetition.  Judges look for the following things during the pattern dance: the dancers' skating technique, timing, and expression.
  The RD, instead of through "non-skating actions such as sliding on one knee" or through the use of toe steps (which should only be used reflect the music's nuances and underlining rhythm and the dance's character), should be "developed through skating skill and quality".  RDs should be choreographed to all sides of the ice rink, and not be focused only on the judges' section.  Touching the ice with the hands is not allowed, unless otherwise specified and announced by the ISU; neither is sliding or kneeling on two knees and sitting on the ice, and is considered a fall by the judges, also unless otherwise specified and announced by the ISU.
  The music ice dance teams choose for the RD, which can include vocals, must be "suitable for Ice Dance as a sport discipline" and must be in accordance with required rhythms and/or themes, and with the required tempo, when applicable.  The RD must fit the phrasing of the music ice dance teams use.  It must "be translated to the ice by demonstrating technical skill with steps and movements along with flow and the use of edges".  Ice dance teams can choose music with "an audible rhythmic beat," although the music can be, at the start of the program, "without an audible rhythmic beat" for up to 10 seconds.
  There are no restrictions on dance holds, or any variation of dance holds, during the RD.  Ice dance teams lose points (one point per program) if they stop in one place for more than 10 seconds at the beginning and/or at the end of their programs.  They are allowed a full stop up to 10 seconds or two full stops up to five seconds.  A dance spin or choreographic spinning movement that does not travel is considered a stop.  Ice dance teams should not separate, except when they must separate in order to perform any required element or to change a hold, and they can only be separated by up to two arms lengths during that time.  Separations that occur at the beginning and/or end of the program can only last up to 10 seconds and there are no restrictions 
caption: Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron ending their short dance at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships in Moscow.
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