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!
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.
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:
Always consult the ISU website for the most up to date rules and regulations.
Contains definitions of Elements, Features, and Additional Features, as well as rules related to the Call to Start, Interruptions, Costume Deductions, and more. Can be downloaded and printed, or purchased from the ISU website. This document is the foundation for all other Communications.
Specifies what’s required to achieve the different difficulty levels of each Element.
Specifies criteria Judges use to assess the quality of Elements and programs.
Specifies the point value of each Element.
Specifies the calls and penalties for Elements, Features, and Additional Features, based on how they are executed.
For more information about how to apply each of these documents, refer to the article, “Demystifying the Judging System: Part 2, Rules.” (Note that it refers to 2018 rules.) Consult your governing body’s website for any additional rules specific to your country or region.
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