Rules

Video: ISU Technical Committee Annual Meeting with Coaches

Earlier today, the ISU live-streamed their Synchronized Skating Technical Committee Annual Meeting with Coaches from the World Championships in Stockholm. The one key takeaway? There could be some big changes coming, pending approval of these proposals at Congress.  If you didn’t catch the live stream, you can still watch the approximately one-hour broadcast here (note that the audio doesn’t begin until 8:56):

 

Presentation topics included:

  • The number of skaters required for Championships
  • New penalties, including for falls and violating call to start rules
  • A renewed focus on encouraging skating as a team unit (not as 16 individuals)
  • Rules to discourage excessive posing and theatrics
  • New maximum program lengths
  • Overview of new and revised elements, with a focus on encouraging creativity
  • Overview of the new GOE range

This was an amazing opportunity for a worldwide audience to get early insight into upcoming changes. Thanks to the ISU for making this broadcast available!

Demystifying the Judging System: Roles, Rules & Report Cards (Part 2 of 3)

This is the second instalment in a three-part series about Demystifying the Judging System. Read Part 1: Roles here.

Part 2: Rules

Overview

Like the other figure skating disciplines, synchronized skating is governed by rules and regulations created by the International Skating Union. The bad news is, there is no one single rule book that contains everything a coach or official needs to know. The good news is, all the documents that make up the rules are available online, for free. It just requires a little effort to find and organize them.

With so many different documents being published at different times during the year, it can be hard to know where to start when you need to look something up. I’m here to help point you in the right direction.  (more…)

Demystifying the Judging System: Roles, Rules & Report Cards (Part 1 of 3)

The “new” judging system for synchronized skating isn’t so new anymore. The first time it was used at the World Championships was in 2005, meaning 2018 ushers the judging system as we know it into its teen years. Despite its age, it’s still often met with misconception and confusion, and can be downright confounding for parents, skaters, and coaches who are new to the sport.

In giving feedback to teams throughout the season, I’ve found there are still a lot of misunderstandings about who does what, where to find the right rules, and how to interpret report cards. Consequently, I’ve written a three-part series that will hopefully bring some clarity to these aspects of the judging system. This is the first instalment; watch for the others in the coming weeks.    (more…)

ISU to explore smaller team sizes for synchro

ISU Communication 2085 speaks to decisions made during a recent Council meeting held in Helsinki, Finland, including the following comments on synchro:

“…the Council agreed that the ISU Synchronized Skating Technical Committee shall be mandated to conduct during the season 2017/18 tests at 4 International Competitions with teams composed of a lower number of Skaters than currently in place (less than 16).

Furthermore, in line with Rule 800.2.d) of the Synchronized Skating Special Regulations, the Council agreed that the Synchronized Skating competitions at the Winter Universiade 2019, the Synchronized Skating teams may be composed of 16 competing Skaters as per the current Rule in place, but also may be composed of 12 competing Skaters only.” (Section 9, pp. 3-4)

(more…)