Breaking Down the Elements: Junior Pairs Short Program

The Junior pairs short program consists of 7 elements that must be performed in a maximum time of 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

1. Toe lasso lift take off (Group 5), minimum 2 revolutions by lady, minimum 1 revolution and maximum 3 1/2 revolutions by man

2. Double twist lift, flip or lutz take-off only

3. Double or triple toe loop throw jump

4. Double loop or double axel solo jump
5. Solo combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position, both partners must achieve at least 2 basic positions for 2 revolutions, minimum 5 revolutions each foot, change of foot may be in form of step over or jump, change of foot and change of position can be made at same time or separately, may commence with a jump

6. Backward inside death spiral, when final death spiral position is attained both partners must execute 1 full revolution with man in full pivot position, lady must skate on a clean edge with her body and head close to the ice surface

7. Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine), fully utilize ice surface, partners should share workload and skate close together and to the character of the music, changes of place and holds, short stops and small jump-like movements are permitted.

The main differences between the junior and senior programs is that juniors must execute a toe lasso lift take-off (instead of lasso lift of choice), they cannot execute a triple twist, the throw jump must be a toe loop, and the solo jump must be a loop or axel and not a jump of their choice (and cannot be a triple).

Breaking Down the Elements: Junior Ladies Short Program

The junior ladies short program consists of 7 elements that must be performed in 2:50 maximum time.

1. Double axel

2. Double or triple loop immediately preceded by connecting steps or other free skating movements

3. Jump combination, double/double, double/triple or triple/triple, may not repeat either Axel jump performed or solo jump

4. Flying Camel spin, minimum 8 revolutions

5. Layback or sideways leaning spin, minimum 8 revolutions

6. Spin combination, with only 1 change of foot and all 3 basic positions or any variation thereof, no flying entry, minimum 6 revolutions each foot, minimum 2 revolutions each position

7. Step sequence, straight line, circular or serpentine

The main differences between the junior and senior level is that juniors cannot execute a triple axel, they must execute a double or triple loop instead of a jump of their choice, their combination can be a double/double, and the flying spin must be a camel.

Breaking Down the Elements: Junior Mens Short Program

For the 2010-2011 season, junior men have 7 required elements in their short program to be performed in 2 minutes and 50 seconds.  The elements can be performed in any order.

1. Double or triple loop, immediately preceded by connecting steps or other free skating movements
2. Jump combination, double/triple or triple/triple.  May not repeat either Axel jump performed or solo jump
3. Double or triple axel
4. Flying Camel spin, Minimum 8 revolutions.
5. Sit spin, with only 1 change of foot.  Minimum 6 revolutions each foot.
6. Spin Combination, with only 1 change of foor and all 3 basic positions or any variation thereof.  No flying entry.  Minimum 6 revolutions each foot and 2 in each position.
7. Step Sequence, straight line, circular or serpentine

The main differences between the junior and senior programs is that juniors must execute a double or triple loop instead of a jump of their choice, quads are not allowed, and the flying spin must be a camel.

Breaking Down the Elements: Program Components Singles and Pairs

Program Components
The judges award Program Component marks on a scale from 0.25 to 10 with increments of 0.25 to express the overall presentation and technical mastery of figure skating. The Program Component Score (PCS) is calculated and factored by specified percentages.

In ladies, men's and pairs skating, the following five components are scored in the short program and the free skate. 
 
Skating Skills
Definition: Overall skating quality: edge control and flow over the ice surface demonstrated by a command of the skating vocabulary (edges, steps, turns, etc.), the clarity of technique and use of effortless power to accelerate and vary speed.

Criteria:

• Balance, rhythmic knee action and precision of foot placement
• Flow and effortless glide
• Cleanness and sureness of deep edges, steps, turns
• Power/energy and acceleration
• Mastery of multi-directional skating
• Mastery of one-foot skating
• Equal mastery of technique by both partners shown in unison (pairs only)

Transitions/Linking Footwork & Movement
Definition: The varied and/or intricate footwork, positions, movements and holds that link all elements. In singles and pairs, this also includes the entrances and exits of technical elements.

Criteria:

• Variety
• Difficulty
• Intricacy
• Quality (including unison in pairs)
• Balance of workload between partners (pairs only)  

Performance/Execution
Definition: Performance is the involvement of the skater/couple physically, emotionally and intellectually as they translate the intent of the music and choreography. Execution is the quality of movement and precision in delivery. This includes harmony of movement in pairs.

Criteria:

• Physical, emotional and intellectual involvement
• Carriage 
• Style and individuality/personality
• Clarity of movement
• Variety and contrast
• Projection
• Unison and "oneness" (pairs only)
• Balance in performance (pairs only)
• Spatial awareness between partners - management of the distance between partners and management of changes of hold (pairs only)

Choreography/Composition
Definition: An intentional, developed and/or original arrangement of all types of movements according to the principles of proportion, unity, space, pattern, structure and phrasing.

Criteria:

• Purpose (idea, concept, vision)
• Proportion (equal weight of parts)
• Unity (purposeful threading)
• Utilization of personal and public space
• Pattern and ice coverage
• Phrasing and form (movements and parts structured to match the phrasing of the music)
• Originality of purpose, movement and design
• Shared responsibility in achieving purpose (pairs only)

Interpretation
Definition: The personal and creative translation of the music to movement on ice.

Criteria:

• Effortless movement in time to the music
• Expression of the music's style, character, rhythm
• Use of finesse* to reflect the nuances of the music
• Relationship between the partners reflecting the character of the music (pairs only)

*Finesse is the skater's/team's refined, artful manipulation of nuances. Nuances are the personal artistic ways of bringing variations to the intensity, tempo and dynamics of the music made by the composer and/or musicians.

Factoring the Program Components

Ladies, Men and Pairs
In the ladies, men and pairs events, the five program components used are factored equally, then added together. The factored sum of the program component marks is called the Program Components Score. The idea behind factoring is to make the program components score level with the technical score, hence granting equal importance to each. Since the perfect program components score is always 50, this number is factored to roughly equal what each discipline is capable of scoring in the technical score. For example, in the ladies short program, women today are capable of scoring around 40 in the technical score. So the program components are factored by 0.8, lowering the 50 down to a 40, leveling the importance of the technical score and the program components score. In the men's free skate, men today are capable of scoring around 100 in the technical score. So the program components are factored by 2.0, raising the 50 up to 100, and again leveling the technical score and the program component score.
 
The following chart illustrates how each discipline factors program components in the junior and senior divisions:

Discipline	Short Program	Free Skate
Ladies	0.8	1.6
Men	1.0	2.0
Pairs	0.8	1.6

Breaking Down the Elements: Ice Dance Grades of Execution

The scale of values for ice dance can be found here: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Content/201011%20SDFD%20SOV.pdf

Lifts
SD: Lift does not reflect the character of the chosen rhythms: Reduce by 1 grade
Pose awkward or not aesthetically pleasing: Reduce by 1 grade
More than 1/2 turn within (straight line/curve lift) or between curves (serpentine lift): Reduce by 1 grade
Lift does not fit the phrasing of the music: No higher than -1
Increase GOE by 1 grade for each of the following difficult characteristics:
Body lines and pose of both partners beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
Speed maintained or accelerated during the lift
Lift with special attribute for lifting partner
Entry is unexpected and/or creative
Lift reflects character of the chosen rhythm(s) (SD) and/or fits to the phrasing of the music.

Spins and Combination Spins
Not on spot (traveling) in one part of the combination: Reduce by 1 grade
Not on spot (traveling) in both parts of the combination or in the spin: No higher than -1
Pose awkward or not aesthetically pleasing: Reduce by 1 grade
Spin or combination spin does not fit to the phrasing of the music: No higher than -1
Combination Spin: Change of foot not simultaneous: No higher than -1
Combination Spin: Recenters completely (except combo spin with different direction of rotation): No higher than -1
Increase GOE by 1 grade for each of the following difficult characteristics:
Body lines and pose of both partners beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
Speed of rotation maintained or accelerated during the Spin
Entry is unexpected and/or creative
Dance Spin fits to the phrasing of the music

Set of Twizzles
Execution not simultaneous, one twizzle: Reduce by 1 grade
Execution not simultaneous, two or more twizzles: No higher than -1
Execution of turn incorrect, one twizzle: No higher than 0
Execution of turn incorrect, two or more twizzles: No higher than -1
Increase GOE by 1 grade for each of the following difficult characteristics:
Exit with running edge maintained (no immediate step down)
Twizzles reflect the character of the chosen rhythm(s)
Fast rotation of twizzles
Fast movement across the ice

Step Sequences
SD: Step sequence does not reflect the character of the chosen dance: Reduce by 1 grade
Pattern/placement incorrect or incomplete: Reduce by 1 grade
More than two arms lengths between partners (non-touching): Reduce by 1 grade
Inclusion of not permitted element/movement e.g. stop, jump with more than 1/2 rev. (for each): Reduce by 2 grades
Separation to change a hold exceeds one measure of music: Reduce by 1 grade
Skating in hand-in-hand hold in sustained position with fully extended arms (in hold): Reduce by 1 grade
Step sequence is not skated to the rhythm pattern of the music: No higher than -1
Lack of flow (movement across the ice): No higher than -1
Increase GOE by 1 grade for each of the following difficult characteristics:
Reflection of the rhythm pattern (SD and FD) and character of the rhythms (SD)
Skating with good speed and flow

Loss of Balance or Stumble on Required Element
Loss of balance without additional support--1 partner: Reduce by 1 grade
Loss of balance without additional support--both partners: No higher than 0
Stumble (loss of control with additional support by free foot or hand)--1 partner: Not higher than 0
Stumble--both partners: Not higher than -1

Fall on Required Element
Fall by one partner: Not higher than -2
Fall by both partners: Mark as -3
Fall on the entrance and rest not completed: Mark as -3
3/4 of element missing: Mark as -3

Breaking Down the Elements: Pairs Grades of Execution

Each element is assigned a grade of execution by the judges from a -3 to a +3.  These are then translated into scores.  A +3 GOE does not necessarily mean the skater earns three extra points.  These are scaled based on the difficulty of the element.  A double jump with a +3 GOE will receive less points than a triple jump with the same GOE.

Examples: Skater A performs a triple lutz.  This element has a base value of 6.0.  They receive a -1 GOE which is -.7.  Their score for the element is 5.3.

Skater B performs a quad toe loop.  This element has a base value of 10.3.  They receive a +1 GOE which is 1.0.  Their score for the element is 11.3.

Skater C performs a triple salchow but it is downgraded.  The normal value for a triple salchow is 4.2 but the downgraded value is 2.9.  With a +1 GOE they gain .7 points.  Their score for the element is 3.6.

This particular scale was created to increase the value of quads and encourage more male skaters to try for them.  A triple toeloop is worth 4.1 points.  If the skater performs a perfect jump and gets a +3 GOE they will get an extra 2.1 points for a total score of 6.2 points.  A quad toeloop is worth 10.3 points.  If the skater performs a terrible jump and gets a -3 GOE they will get a -3.00 points for a total score of 7.3 points.  A bad quad is worth 1 point more than a perfect triple, provide the skater does not fall and/or get a downgrade call.

The full scale of values can be found here: http://usfigureskating.org/Content/201011-SP-SOV.pdf

The final GOE of an element is calculated considering first the positive aspects of the element that

result in a starting GOE for the evaluation. Following that a Judge reduces the GOE according to the

guidelines of possible errors and the result is the final GOE of the element.

To establish the starting GOE Judges must take into consideration the bullets for each element. It is

at the discretion of each Judge to decide on the number of bullets for any upgrade, but general

recommendations are as follows:
FOR + 1 : 2 bullets FOR + 2 : 4 bullets FOR + 3 : 6 or more bullets

Lifts
1) good take-off and landing position of both partners

2) correct and aesthetically pleasing air positions

3) good ice coverage during element

4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or lady during all phases

5) good speed and flow

6) ability to maintain good flow from one position to another

7)effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

Twist Lifts

1) good take-off and landing position of both partners

2) good position of man at release

3) good ice coverage during element

4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or lady during all phases

5) good speed and timing from entry to exit

6) good height of lady in air position

7) effortless throughout

8) element matched to the musical structure

Jump Elements

1) unexpected / creative / difficult entry

2) varied position in the air / delay in rotation

3) good height and distance

4) good extension on landing / creative exit

5) good flow from entry to exit

6) good unison and close to each other in all phases

7) effortless throughout

8) element matched to the musical structure

Throw Jumps

1) unexpected / creative / difficult entry

2) good position of man at release

3) good air position of lady

4) good extension on landing / creative exit

5) good speed, height, distance

6) good control and flow on the landing

7) effortless throughout

8) element matched to the musical structure

Solo Spins

1) good speed or acceleration during spin

2) ability to center a spin quickly

3) balanced rotations in all positions

4) clearly more than required number of rev.

5) good and identical positions by both partners

6) good control throughout all phases by both partners

7) good unison and distance between partners

8) element matched to the musical structure

Pair Spins

1) good control throughout (entry, rotation, conclusion/exit) by both partners

2) good speed or acceleration during spin

3) balanced rotations in all positions

4) clearly more than required number of rev

5) good positions by both partners

6) creativity and originality

7) executed with continuous flow and ease

8) element matched to the musical structure

Death Spirals

1) good flow in entry and exit

2) good control and speed in death spiral position

3) good quality of positions of both partners

4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or lady during all phases

5) good, controlled transition into required position

6) effortless throughout

7) creativity and originality

8) element matched to the musical structure

Step Sequences

1) good energy and execution

2) good speed or acceleration during sequence

3) good clarity and precision

4) deep clean edges (including entry and exit of all turns)

5) good control and commitment of whole body to accuracy of steps

6) creativity and originality

7) good unison

8) element matched to the musical structure

Spiral Sequences

1) good flow, energy and execution

2) good speed during sequence

3) good body line and full extension of both partners

4) minimal delay between spiral positions

5) good flexibility of both partners

6) creativity and originality

7) ability to attain positions and variations quickly and effortlessly

8) element matched to the musical structure

Errors for which final GOE must be in the minuses

Lifts

Fall: -3

Serious problems in the lifting process: -3

Lady collapses on partner: -2

Lady starts or lands on two feet: -2

Twist Lifts

SP: Single: GOE -3

Fall: -3

Lady collapses on partner: -2 to -3

Lady is not caught in the air before landing: -2

Lady is not caught at the waist: -2

Lady lands on two feet: -2

Lady touches down with both hands: -2

Downgraded sign (<<): -2

Jump Elements/Throw Jumps

SP: One or more revolution(s) less than required: GOE -3

Fall: -3

Starting or landing on two feet in a jump: -2

Stepping out of landing in a jump: -2

Touch down with both hands in a jump: -2

Downgraded sign (<<): -2 to -3

Unequal number of revolutions by partners: -2

2 three turns in between jump combo: -2

Starting from wrong edge in flip/lutz (e sign): -2 to -3

Solo and Pair Spins

SP: Less than required positions (2 revolutions in each position): -2 to -3

Fall: -3

Touch down with both hands: -2

Death Spirals

Fall: -3

Wrong pivot position (losing toe pick, etc.): -2 to -3

Lady assisted not only by the blades: -2 to -3

Steps

Fall: -3

Less than half the pattern doing steps/turns: -2 to -3 

Spirals

Fall: -3

Less than half the pattern in spiral position: -2 to -3

Errors for which final GOE is not restricted

Lifts

Poor positions in the air or on landing: -1 to -3

Poor speed and/or distance: -1 to -3

Poor turns by man: -1 to -3

Poor take-off/weak landing: -1 to -3

Long preparation: -1

Touch down with the free foot: -1

Twist Lifts

Poor height or distance: -1 to -3

Poor take off (poor speed, serious scratching, no toe-pick): -1 to -2

Catch assisted by the man's shoulder: -1 to -2

Weak landing (poor speed, bad positions, awkward catch): -1 to -2

Long preparation: -1

Man exits on two feet: -1

Touch down with the free foot: -1

Jump Elements/Throw Jumps

Poor speed, height, distance, air position: -1 to -2

No unison--jump elements: -1 to -3

Big distance between partners--jump elements: -1 to -3

Poor take-off: -1 to -2

Lacking rotation (no sign): -1

Under-rotated (<): -1 to -2

Loss of flow/rhythm between jumps (combinations and sequences): -1 to -2

Poor man's position at take-off--throw jump: -1 to -2

Unclear edge at take off in Flip/Lutz (!): -1 to -2

Weak landing (bad position/wrong edge/scratching etc.): -1 to -2

Long preparation: -1 to -2

Touch down with one hand or free foot: -1

Solo and Pair Spins

SP: Pairs Combination Spin: Change of foot not at the same time: -1 to -2

Less than required revolutions: -1 to -3

Poor/awkward position(s), slow, traveling: -1 to -3

Change of foot poorly executed: -1 to -3

Slow or reduction of speed: -1 to -3

No unison, too big distance between partners: -1 to -3

Incorrect take-off or landing (flying spin/entry): -1 to -2

Stop during spin (except when changing direction): -1 to -2

Touch down with free foot or one hand: -1

Death Spirals

Poor position of the lady (too high, etc.): -1 to -3

Poor exit: -1 to -3

Slow or reduction of speed: -1 to -3

Weak lady's edge quality: -1

Steps

SP: Incorrect pattern: -1 to -2

SP: Jumps with more than half a revolution included: -1

Poor quality of steps, turns, positions: -1 to -3

Stumble: -1 to -2

Spirals

Poor positions: -1 to -3

Stumble: -1 to -2

Poor edge quality: -1 to -2

Breaking Down the Elements: Singles Grades of Execution

Each element is assigned a grade of execution by the judges from a -3 to a +3.  These are then translated into scores.  A +3 GOE does not necessarily mean the skater earns three extra points.  These are scaled based on the difficulty of the element.  A double jump with a +3 GOE will receive less points than a triple jump with the same GOE.

Examples: Skater A performs a triple lutz.  This element has a base value of 6.0.  They receive a -1 GOE which is -.7.  Their score for the element is 5.3.

Skater B performs a quad toe loop.  This element has a base value of 10.3.  They receive a +1 GOE which is 1.0.  Their score for the element is 11.3.

Skater C performs a triple salchow but it is downgraded.  The normal value for a triple salchow is 4.2 but the downgraded value is 2.9.  With a +1 GOE they gain .7 points.  Their score for the element is 3.6.

This particular scale was created to increase the value of quads and encourage more male skaters to try for them.  A triple toeloop is worth 4.1 points.  If the skater performs a perfect jump and gets a +3 GOE they will get an extra 2.1 points for a total score of 6.2 points.  A quad toeloop is worth 10.3 points.  If the skater performs a terrible jump and gets a -3 GOE they will get a -3.00 points for a total score of 7.3 points.  A bad quad is worth 1 point more than a perfect triple, provide the skater does not fall and/or get a downgrade call.

The full scale of values can be found here: http://usfigureskating.org/Content/201011-SP-SOV.pdf

The final GOE of an element is calculated considering first the positive aspects of the element that result in a starting GOE for the evaluation. Following that a Judge reduces the GOE according to the guidelines of possible errors and the result is the final GOE of the element.

To establish the starting GOE Judges must take into consideration the bullets for each element. It is at the discretion of each Judge to decide on the number of bullets for any upgrade, but general recommendations are as follows:

FOR + 1 : 2 bullets FOR + 2 : 4 bullets FOR + 3 : 6 or more bullets

Jump Elements

1) unexpected / creative / difficult entry

2) clear recognizable steps/free skating movements immediately preceding element

3) varied position in the air / delay in rotation

4) good height and distance

5) good extension on landing / creative exit

6) good flow from entry to exit including jump combinations / sequences

7) effortless throughout

8) element matched to the musical structure

Spins
1) good speed or acceleration during spin

2) ability to center a spin quickly

3) balanced rotations in all positions

4) clearly more than required number of revolutions

5) good position(s) (including height and air position in flying spins)

6) creativity and originality

7) good control throughout all phases

8) element matched to the musical structure

Step Sequences
1) good energy and execution

2) good speed or acceleration during sequence

3) good clarity and precision

4) deep clean edges (including entry and exit of all turns)

5) good control and commitment of whole body to accuracy of steps

6) creativity and originality

7) effortless throughout

8) element matched to the musical structure

Spiral Sequences
1) good flow, energy and execution

2) good speed during sequence

3) good body line and full extension

4) minimal delay between spiral positions

5) good flexibility

6) creativity and originality

7) ability to attain positions and variations quickly and effortlessly

8) element matched to the musical structure

Errors for which final GOE must be in the minuses

Jump Elements

SP: One or more revolution less than required: -3

SP: Combo consisting of one jump only: -3

SP: No required steps/movements proceeding jump: -3
Downgraded sign (<<): -2 or -3

Fall: -3

Landing on two feet in a jump: -3

Stepping out of landing on a jump: -2 or -3

Touch down with both hands in a jump: -2

2 three turns in between (jump combo): -2

Starting from wrong edge in Flip or Lutz (e): -2 or -3

Spins
SP: Less than required postions (2 rev. in position): -2 to -3
SP: Position in the air not attained (flying spin): -2 to -3
Fall: -3
Touch down with both hands: -2
Steps
Fall: -3
Less than half of the pattern doing steps/turns: -2 to -3
Spirals
Fall: -3
Less than half of the pattern in spiral position: -2 to -3

Errors for which final GOE is not restricted:

Jump Elements

SP: Break between required steps/movements and jump/only one step/movement before jump: -1 to -2

Poor speed, height, distance, air position: -1 to -2

Lacking rotation: -1

Under rotated (<): -1 to -2

Poor take off: -1 to -2

Lack of flow/rhythm between jumps (combo/seq): -1 to -2

Weak landing (bad postion/wrong edge/scratching, etc.): -1 to -2

Long preparation: -1 to -2
Touch down with one hand or free foot: -1

Unclear edge at take-off in Flip or Lutz (!): -1 to -2
Spins
FS: Position in the air not attained (flying spin/entry): -1 to -3
Less than required revolutions: -1 to -2
Poor/awkward position(s), slow, traveling: -1 to -3
Change of foot poorly executed (curve of entry/exit, moving to intermediate position, etc.): -1 to -3
Incorrect take-off or landing in a flying spin: -1 to -2
Touch down with free foot or one hand: -1
Steps
SP: Incorrect pattern: -1 to -2
SP: Jumps with more than half revolution included: -1
Poor quality of steps, turns, positions: -1 to -3
Stumble: -1 to -2
Spirals
Poor positions: -1 to -3
Stumble: -1 to -2
Poor edge quality: -1 to -2