2023-24 Synchronized Skating Rules

Following are important reference documents that explain how programs are evaluated for the 2023-24 season. This post will be updated as resources are added or revised. Always consult the ISU website for the most up to date rules and regulations. You can subscribe to updates from the ISU website here.

Special Regulations & Technical Rules

Contains definitions of Elements, Features, and Additional Features, as well as rules related to the Call to Start, Interruptions, Costume Deductions, and more. This document is the foundation for all other Communications. It is updated every two years.

Technical Requirements (ISU Comm. 2563)

Specifies what’s required to achieve the different difficulty levels of each Element.

GOE and PCS Guidelines (ISU Comm. 2566)

Specifies criteria Judges use to assess the quality of Elements and programs. Additional PCS resources:

Scale of Values (ISU Comm. 2554)

Specifies the point value of each Element.

Well Balanced Program Content (ISU Comm. 2553)

Specifies the required Elements for ISU categories. Consult your governing body for requirements specific to your country or region.

Technical Handbook

Specifies the calls and penalties for Elements, Features, and Additional Features, based on how they are executed.

Video: 2020-21 Synchronized Skating Technical Update

The ISU has released a very helpful 45-minute video presenting the key changes to the technical rules for next season. You’ll likely get the most out of the video if you’ve already read Communication 2317.

In addition, the ISU recently released next season’s Scale of Values in Communication 2322. This often overlooked document should play a critical strategic role in your choreography. Don’t underestimate its importance!

2020-21 Technical Requirements & GOE Guidelines

The ISU has published two new Communications you should consider critical to your 2020-21 program planning:

Communication 2317 details the requirements an Element, Feature, or Additional Feature must satisfy in order to get credit for a given difficulty level. The Technical Panel uses the information in this document (along with information in the Technical Handbook, which is not yet published for this season) to “call” the level of each Element in your program.

Communication 2318 explains what the judges are looking for when determining what Grade of Execution and Program Component Scores to award.

Though the Well Balanced Program requirements for the upcoming season will be the same as in 2019-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these new Communications outline some important changes to technical requirements and judging criteria. Teams who may be considering reusing one of last season’s programs due to reduced training time should read these documents especially carefully. In many cases, the document underlines important changes and clarifications to last season’s rules.

Check the ISU website frequently for revisions and clarifications to these rules over the coming months.

 

2020-21 Well Balanced Program Requirements

Typically at this time of year, the ISU publishes a new Communication containing Well Balanced Program Requirements for the upcoming season. According to the recently published Decisions of Council in Communication 2312:

Synchronized Skating: The requirements for the Well Balanced Short and Free Programs for all categories will not be changed.

In other words, the required and optional Elements in Short and Free Programs will be the same as last season. The Communication goes on to say that some changes have been proposed for the Scale of Values, Levels, and GOE for all disciplines. These will be communicated at a later date.

Communication 2312 also discusses:

  • The postponement of the 2020 ISU Congress to Spring 2021
  • Dates and locations for synchro Challenger Series events