page_title: Glossary of figure skating terms
section_title: P
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of figure skating terms / P
caption_attribution_description: Photo of Caroline Zhang taken at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Turin, Long Program, 2007
context_page_description: The following is a glossary of figure skating terms, sorted alphabetically.
context_section_description: Pair lift
  Type of lift where the lifter raises his arms above his shoulders.
  Pair spin
  A spin in which two skaters rotate around a single axis while holding on to each other.
  Pair skating
  A skating discipline in which a partnership, typically composed of a male and female skater, performs overhead lifts, twist lifts, throw jumps, side-by-side spins and jumps. A partnership composed of two men or two women skating together is called a similar pair.
  Pancake spin
  A sit spin that has the leg tucked over the other and the upper body is bent over the leg.
  Pattern dance
  Since 2010, the official name of the compulsory dance.
  Pearl spin
  A layback spin in which the free foot is pulled over the head as in a Biellmann spin, however the body stays laid back. This spin was first performed by Caroline Zhang of the United States.
  Personal best (PB)
  The highest score a skater has earned in ISU competition. Scores from national championships do not count as personal bests.
  Pivot
  A two-footed movement in which one foot is flexed and the toe picks are inserted into the ice as a pivot point, and the other foot travels around the pivot point, such as the movement of a drafting compass.
  Popping (a jump)
  During a jump, when a skater prematurely abandons their tight rotational position ("opens up") in mid-air, resulting in fewer than the desired rotations.
  Positional jump
  A jump for the purpose of displaying a position, such as stag jumps and split jumps.
  Presentation
  The second set of scores in the old 6.0 judging system, also known as "Artistic Impression".
  Press lift
  A type of hand-to-hand pair lift.
  Professional
  Skaters who are not eligible to compete in ISU events. See: Ineligible.
  Program
  Skating elements set to music performed by a skater in a defined length of time. All senior-level disciplines currently skate two programs in most ISU events. Before the 2010/11 season, ice dancers performed three or four programs.
caption: Pearl spin (Caroline Zhang)
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