Programs for both the Men’s event and the Ladies event at the senior level require the same types of elements. The International Skating Union or ISU sets program requirements for each type of program for every season. Both the short and free programs in the singles events have jumps, spins, step sequences and choreographic sequences.
In the short program, the women’s program requires three jumps, a double or triple axel, a solo triple jump and a combination of a double and triple jump or two triple jumps. They are also required to do three spins and one step sequence.
For the men’s short program, their elements are largely the same but they are required to do a double or triple axel, triple or quadruple jump and a combination of triples and/or quadruples. Like the women, they also are required to do three spins and a step sequence.
Axels are the only jumps that take off from a forward edge |
The freeskate has the same kind of elements as the short program, but has more elements of each kind.
There are three basic positions for spins and two types of jumps.
Each position in a spin fits into one of the following three categories; upright, sit and camel. Each basic position can be modified to increase the point value of the spin.
When looking at a spin, coach Sheree Toffan said speed is essential to a good spin. The positions have to be correct and held long enough for the skater to make at least four rotations before they change positions. They should also stay in basically the same spot the entire time, the less they move across the ice, the better.
Camel Spin |
The upper body is forward and the leg in the air is extended behind, with the knee at least as high as the skater’s hip |
Sit Spin |
The skater is spinning on one leg, which is bent so that the thigh is parallel to the ice, the free leg is extended in front. |
Upright Spin |
The skater’s body is straight up and the skater is on one foot. In the case of this photo, she is doing a variation on an upright spin, with the free leg up. |
There are two types of jump elements, called edge jumps and toe jumps. There are a number of jumps in each category and each jump is worth a different number of points.
The difference between the two categories of jumps is the way they come off the ice. Toe jumps require a skater to put their toe pick into the ice and use it to create momentum, whereas edge jumps use an edge, or the side of the blade, said Toffan.
Each jump is the same in the air and on the landing. For all jumps, “A good jump gets lots of height and complete rotations, and landed on 1 foot of course. You see lots of skaters rotating but not all will get nice height or air” Said Toffan.
Though the technical elements of a program are important, Toffan said it’s more important to look for smooth skating and how well skaters are performing to their music. “Most skaters will have all the tricks (if they are on tv) But how the whole program comes together is key.”
Pairs skating combines two skaters who are completing difficult technical elements while also skating in unison with each other and the music.
The elements for pairs are inherently different than singles because two skaters are performing together. For the 2016-2017 season, senior pairs teams are required to perform one lift, one throw, one twist, a side by side jump element, a side by side spin, a step sequence and a death spiral in the short program.
Death spirals are an element that is unique to pairs skating. As you can see in the video above, the lady is supported by the edge of one blade and her hand, which is being held by her partner. He uses a toe in the ice to rotate them both.
The death spiral is evaluated based on the speed of rotation, like a spin, as well as how low both partners are, the closer they are to the ice, the better, so long as neither touches the ice with a body part that should not be on the ice.
Above, you can see one of the types of pair lifts. Former pairs competitor Aimee Collier explains that lifts are evaluated on speed, security, the lady’s position in the air, and the general sense of ease. She said the best pair lifts “almost go the length of the rink, they’re smooth and the man should have good footwork and speed.”
Execution of a Twist
The twist is another element only seen in the pairs event. Senior competitors will do a double, triple or quadruple twist in their programs.
Collier says a good twist is high, the rotation is quick and the lady is closer to horizontal than vertical. She explains people should be looking for the quality of the catch, “done without any impact to the rest of his body, hands expended overhead” the rotation should be done early so he has time to catch her high overhead and his hands should also catch her just above her hips.
The twist is an element a lot of teams have struggled with. Collier explains that current world champions Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford had struggled with the twist in the past, where she was nearly running into his shoulder before he caught her, but they have improved it over the years, finishing the rotation higher in the air.
Ice dance is the most difficult to watch because the mistakes are usually less obvious. Because there are no jumps, skaters are less likely to fall.
Ice dance is different as Collier explains because of the elements, ice dancers do not jump and they do not do overhead lifts, twists or death spirals.
Primarily, ice dancers do step sequences, some of which are set and some of which are created by choreographers, as they are in the other disciplines. Ice dancers do also complete lifts, but they are significantly more restricted. The lady must be at most partially above her partner’s head, and there are time limits on lifts. Short lifts can be a maximum of six seconds, and combined lifts can be up to 12 seconds.
The short dance is the most restrictive program in all the disciplines. Skaters are given specific rhythms they have to skate to. For the 2016-2017 season, the rhythms are blues and either hip hop or swing. A pattern dance must be done on a specific tempo in a specific place on the ice.
The pattern dance is the easiest to evaluate in ice dance because viewers can directly compare one to each of the others. The best will be fast and the skaters will be close together as they complete the pattern.
