ACCOUNTANT — An official at a figure skating
competition who compiles and computes marks awarded by
judges to determine the placement of competitors.
AXEL JUMP — One of the most difficult jumps which
takes off from the forward outside edge and is landed on the
back outside edge of the opposite foot. A single Axel
consists of 1 1/2 revolutions, a double is 2 1/2
revolutions, and a triple is 3-1/2 revolutions. The jump is
named for its inventor, Axel Paulsen. It is easily
recognizable as it is the only jump that takes off from a
forward position.
CAMEL SPIN — A spin which is done on one leg with the
non-skating leg, or free leg, extended in the air in a
position parallel to the ice. The body remains in this
"spiral" position while spinning.
CHOCTAW — A turn from forward to backward (or
backward to forward) from one foot to the other in which the
curve of the exit edge is in the opposite direction to the
curve of the entry edge. The change of foot is from outside
edge to inside edge or from inside edge to outside edge.
COMBINATION SPIN — The combination of several spins
where the skater changes feet and positions while
maintaining speed throughout the entire spin.
COMPULSORY DANCE — A dance that has prescribed
rhythms and specific steps that must be done in an exact
manner with exact placement on the ice. All skaters do the
same compulsory dance in an event. At most senior events
nationally and internationally, only one compulsory dance is
competed and it is worth 20 percent of the total score.
CROSSOVERS — A method of gaining speed and turning
corners in which skaters cross one foot over the other.
There are both forward and backward crossovers.
DEATH SPIRAL — A pairs move in which the man spins in
a pivot position while holding one hand of his partner, who
is spinning in a horizontal position with her body low and
parallel to the ice.
DRAW — The process to determine the starting or
skating order for each event. Either the referee or chair of
the competition conducts the process in the presence of
other judges (closed draw) or in an open setting where the
athletes participate and actually draw a number from a pouch
(open draw).
EDGES — The two sides of the skate blade on either
side of the grooved center. There is an inside edge — the
edge on the inner side of the leg — and an outside edge —
that on the outer side of the leg. There is a forward and
backward for each edge, equaling a total of four different
edges.
EDGE JUMP — A jump where the skater takes off from
the entry edge of the skating foot without bringing the free
foot in contact with the ice to assist the take off. The
Axel, loop and Salchow are common edge jumps.
ELIGIBLE — The term used to define skaters or
competitions that meet the requirements and follow the rules
of U.S. Figure Skating and/or the ISU. All eligible skaters,
judges and officials are members of U.S. Figure Skating and
have not participated in any activities, competitions or
events that are not sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating or the
ISU.
ENVELOPE SYSTEM — In the U.S., the envelope system
separates skaters for ASUPP funding levels. Based on
prescribed criteria, U.S. athletes can be placed in Team A,
B, C or the reserve team. The U.S. Figure Skating Athlete
Support Fund (ASUPP) financially supports the U.S. Team
envelope athletes by assisting them with their skating
expenses.
FALLING LEAF — A jump taking off from a backward
outside edge as in a loop jump takeoff, and projecting the
free leg forward turning 1/2 revolution. The landing is
forward on the toe of this lifting leg and either steps into
a forward glide position on the opposite leg (original
take-off leg) or steps into a forward inside three-turn.
FLIP JUMP — A toe-pick assisted jump taken off from
the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back
outside edge of the opposite foot.
FOOTWORK — A sequence of step maneuvers carrying the
skater across the ice in patterns — generally straight,
circular or serpentine. Footwork is intended to show the
precision and dexterity of the skater's movements.
FREE DANCE — The free dance, which reflects 50
percent of a dance team's total score, is relatively
unrestricted, and skaters select the mood and tempo as long
as it is danceable. Skaters are allowed 4 minutes to display
their full range of technical skills, interpretation and
inventiveness.
FREE SKATE (OR FREE SKATING) — In OBO scoring, the
free skate counts for 66.7 percent of a skater's or team's
final score in singles and pairs. It does not have required
elements, so skaters select their own music and theme, and
choreograph the many difficult jumps, spins and footwork to
best display their technical and artistic skills. The free
skate (for senior level) has a length of 4 1/2 minutes for
men and pairs, and 4 minutes for ladies.
HAND-TO-HAND LOOP LIFT — A lift in which the man
raises his partner, who is in front of him and facing the
same direction, above his head. She remains facing the same
direction, in the sitting position with her hands behind
her, while her partner supports her by the hands.
HYDRANT LIFT — A lift in which the man throws his
partner over his head while skating backwards, rotates
one-half turn and catches his partner facing him.
LAYBACK SPIN — Generally performed by women, the
layback spin involves an upright spin position where the
head and shoulders are dropped backwards and the back
arches.
LIFTS — Pair moves in which the man lifts his partner
above his head with arm(s) fully extended. Lifts consist of
precise ascending, rotational and descending movements.
LOBE — The pattern made on the ice by an edge or
steps, forming an arc of a circle that starts and finishes
on an axis.
LONG PROGRAM — Old term for the free skate portion of
the singles and pairs competitions.
LOOP JUMP — An edge jump, taken off from a back
outside edge and landed on the same back outside edge.
LUTZ JUMP — A toe-pick assisted jump taken off from a
back outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the
opposite foot. The skater glides backward on a wide curve,
taps his toe pick into the ice, and rotates in the opposite
direction of the curve. The jump is named for its inventor,
Alois Lutz.
MOHAWK — A turn from forward to backward (or backward
to forward), from one foot to the other, each edge forming
parts of the same curve.
MOVES IN THE FIELD — One of three test structures in
U.S. Figure Skating (including free skating and dance).
Moves in the field tests help develop all basic fundamental
edges and turns while emphasizing edge quality, extension,
quickness and power.
NONQUALIFYING COMPETITION — Also referred to as a
club competition, nonqualifying events are those that are
not part of the U.S. qualifying structure leading up to the
U.S. Championships.
OBO SYSTEM — The one-by-one system is the scoring
system currently used in international competitions
including the World Championships.
ORDINAL — In the 6.0 scoring system, each skater or
team is given a score that is converted into an ordinal or
"place." The skater or team that receives the highest marks
from a judge is awarded the first-place mark or ordinal from
that judge.
ORIGINAL DANCE — The second competition phase in ice
dancing which counts for 30 percent of the team's total
score. Skaters are given a prescribed rhythm (such as the
paso doble or rhumba) with a defined tempo range and must
create a completely original version of the dance. It has a
time limit of 2 minutes.
OVERHEAD LIFTS — The group of pair lifts in which one
or both of the man's arms are fully extended as he holds his
partner overhead. The man does not let go of his partner
during the lift, except momentarily during changes in her
position or during the dismount.
PLATTER LIFT — A lift in which the man raises his
partner overhead with his hands resting on her hips. She is
horizontal to the ice, facing the back of the man, in a
platter position.
PRESENTATION MARK — The second of two marks awarded
when judging the singles and pairs short program and free
skate, and the original and free dance. Judges consider the
program's relationship to the music, the speed, utilization
of the ice surface, carriage and style, originality and
unison.
QUALIFYING COMPETITION — In the U.S., qualifying
competitions are those that are part of the competition
structure leading to the U.S. Championships, U.S. Adult
Championships, U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships,
and U.S. Junior Championships. Qualifying competitions are
all regional and sectional events.
REFEREE — The official at a competition who has full
authority over all aspects of the event and is the
chairperson for the panel of judges. It is the referee's
responsibility to ensure that all rules are observed, that a
high standard of judging is maintained and that all
technical aspects of the competition are satisfactory.
REGIONALS
— The regional championships are the
first step in the U.S. qualifying competition structure that
leads to the U.S. Championships. U.S. Figure Skating
currently breaks down the U.S. into nine regional areas and
competitions (To view regions, go
here). Skaters must place in the
top four at their regional event to advance to sectionals
(the second step in the qualifying competition structure).
Juvenile and intermediate skaters go directly from regionals
to the U.S. Junior Championships (top four places only).
REQUIRED ELEMENTS MARK — The first mark given by the
judges in the singles and pairs short program evaluating how
well each element is performed. There are defined deductions
that are made due to errors skaters make when executing the
required elements.
ROCKER — A turn made on one foot from a forward to
backward (or backward to forward) edge maintaining the same
character, i.e., outside to outside or inside to inside.
SALCHOW — Another edge jump taken off from the back
inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge
of the opposite foot. Created by Ulrich Salchow.
SANCTION — Permission or approval given by U.S.
Figure Skating or the ISU to member clubs, competition
organizers, individuals or national federations to conduct
competitions, shows or events featuring eligible athletes.
Registered U.S. Figure Skating athletes can only participate
in sanctioned activities to remain eligible.
SECTIONALS
— The sectional championships are the
second and final step in the U.S. qualifying competition
structure that leads to the U.S. Championships. The top four
finishers from each sectional advance to the U.S.
Championships. There are currently three sectionals -
Eastern, Midwestern and Pacific Coast - within U.S. Figure
Skating competition structure (To view sections, go
here).
SCRATCH SPIN — Also known as an upright spin. After
entering from a controlled forward outside edge, the spin
begins on a back inside edge. Gradual acceleration begins by
moving and placing the free foot toward the top of the
skating knee and drawing the arms close to the body. The
spin exits into a backward outside edge.
SHADOW SKATING — Any movement in pairs skating
performed by both partners simultaneously while skating in
close proximity.
SHORT PROGRAM — Official name for a 2 minute, 40
second program in singles and pairs that consists of eight
required elements and is set to music of the skater's
choice. No more than eight required elements can be done.
Failure to complete, or elimination of any element is
penalized in the scoring.
SIT SPIN — A spin which is done in a "sitting"
position. The body is low to the ice with the skating
(spinning) knee bent and the non-skating, or "free" leg,
extended beside it.
SPIRAL — A move in which a skater demonstrates
flexibility and a fluid line by extending his or her
non-skating leg behind them into the air during a long
glide.
SPIRAL SEQUENCE — A sequence of steps which
incorporates various spirals in a pattern across the ice.
Spirals in a spiral sequence may be done going forward,
backwards, in a straight line or on a curve, or on an inside
or an outside edge.
STAR LIFT — A lift in which the man raises his
partner by her hip, from his side into the air. She is in
the scissor position, with either one hand touching his
shoulder, or in a hands-free position.
STARTING ORDER — The result of the draw which lists
the order the athletes will compete and the group each
athlete will warm up in prior to competition.
STEP SEQUENCE — A sequence of steps that immediately
follow one another, executed in time to the music and are
choreographically related to each other.
STROKING — Fluid movement used to gain speed in which
a skater pushes off back and forth from the inside edge of
one skate to the inside edge of the other skate.
SWIZZLE — A method of two-foot progression, either
forward or backward, by an in-and-out movement of the feet
on inside edges.
TECHNICAL MERIT MARK — The first of two marks awarded
when judging the free skate (singles and pairs) and the free
dance (ice dancing), which measures the difficulty of the
performance, variety and cleanness.
TECHNICAL PROGRAM — Former term for the short
program.
TECHNIQUE MARK — The first of two marks awarded when
judging the compulsory dance, based on the conformity of the
dance steps, accuracy, style, form and carriage.
THROW JUMP — A pairs move in which the male partner
assists the woman into the air, she then executes one, two,
or three revolutions and lands skating backwards.
TIMING/EXPRESSION MARK — The second of two marks
awarded when judging the compulsory dance, based on the
steps being to the beat of the music, correct timing and a
clear expression of the nature of the dance.
TOE LOOP — A toe-pick assisted jump that takes off
and lands on the same back outside edge.
TOE OVERHEAD LIFT — A lift in which the man swings
his partner from one side of his body, around behind his
head and into a raised position. She is facing the same
direction as the man in a split position.
TOE PICKS — The teeth at the front of the blade used
primarily for jumping and spinning.
TWIST LIFTS — The group of pairs lifts where both
partners begin skating backwards and the man lifts his
partner over his head and tosses her in the air. While
airborne, she will rotate full or half rotations. The man
catches his partner and places her back on the ice.
TWIZZLE – A traveling turn on one foot with one or
more rotations, which is quickly rotated with a continuous
(uninterrupted) action. The weight remains on the skating
foot with the free foot in any position during the turn, and
then placed beside the skating foot to skate the next steps.
WALTZ JUMP – A jump involving a half-turn in the air
in which the skater takes off from a forward outside edge on
one foot and lands on the backward outside edge of the
other.
TERMS APPLYING TO ISU NEW JUDGING SYSTEM
SKATING SKILLS — Methods used by a skater/couple to
create movement over the ice surface.
TRANSITIONS — Skating steps/elements linking program
highlights.
PERFORMANCE/EXECUTION - The evaluation of the
skater's/couple's ability to exhibit a pleasing appearance
through body awareness and projection.
CHOREOGRAPHY — The evaluation of the program layout
in relationship to elements and their linking steps. Program
highlights should be evenly distributed over the ice surface
demonstrating the skater's/couple's skills.
INTERPRETATION — The use of the body and skating
elements to express outwardly the mood and character of the
chosen music.
TECHNICAL CONTROLLER — The person who supervises the
call and the input of performed elements.
TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (CALLER) — The person who
identifies and calls performed elements. This person has the
highest knowledge of figure skating or ice dancing.
SCALE OF VALUE — The Scale of Value determines how
much each performed element is worth.
GRADE OF EXECUTION — The grade of execution, ranging
from –3 to +3 is given for every element per the judge's
discretion.
PROGRAM COMPONENT SCORE — The sum of scores for the
five program components – skating skills, transitions,
performance/execution, choreography and interpretation.
TOTAL ELEMENTS SCORE — The sum of scores for the
technical portion of a skater's program.