The members of the Ice Dancing Technical Committee, having observed the Junior and Senior Competitions at St. Gervais and Oberstdorf and having met at two informal meetings following these events with the Ice Dance Judges and Coaches present, wish to make some observations and clarifications.

A. Compulsory Dances

After these discussions it has been decided to simplify some of the Special Technical Requirements for the Compulsory Dances for the Junior and Senior Dances for the 1998/1999 Season, as published in Communication No 989. Attached to this Communication are «Revised Special Technical Requirements for Compulsory Dances and Deduction Guidelines». Please discard pages 9, 10, 11, 12 in ISU Communication No. 989. These pages refer to „Specific Technical Requirements for Compulsory Dances and Deduction Guidelines“ and are replaced by those attached

In general the Judges are reminded that the Specific Deductions are very important for certain key highlights but they should not be the main focus. Rather the usual requirements under Technique Accuracy, Style, Unison etc. etc. should continue to be the main focus for the Judges.

Falls and interruptions - Compulsory Dances

Clarification: Deduction for repeating steps missed by interruption        0.1
               Deduction for «Stumble»                                  0.1

B. Original Dance and Free Dance

Deductions for required elements ORIGINAL DANCE & FREE DANCE (corrections underlined)

Lifts:       Omission                                      0.5
          Fall both partners                            0.4
          Fall one partner                              0.3
          More than permitted 5 seconds             0.1-0.3
          Lifted too high                               0.2
          Wrong position for lifted partner         0.1-0.2

Step Sequences:  Omission                               0.5
                 Pattern incorrect                      0.1
                 Stop during sequence                   0.1
                 Stumble during sequence                0.1
                 Retrogression                          0.1
                 No change of hold and/or incorrect position    0.1

Falls and interruptions - Original Dance & Free Dance (Under «Small» in Rule 537, para 2 b)

Clarification: Deduction for «Stumble»                                     0.1
                  Deduction for fall of one partner                     0.2
                  Deduction for fall of both partners                   0.3

Other deductions would vary in accordance with the length of the fall/interruption as set out in Rule 537, para 2 b).

C. Clarifications

· Dance Spin - Face to Face Position (opposite)

Must not be skated in Kilian hold or back to back or open position (Fox-Trot). During the spin the partners may have their heads at different levels and a lay-back position is permitted providing that a dance hold is maintained throughout. It should be performed on the spot, around the same axis, only one foot of each partner remaining on the ice throughout but one change of foot, for both partners is permitted.

· Dance Lifts

In the Original Dance, in accordance with Communication No 974, one Dance Lift (As described in Rule 510, para 5 a) is permitted but not more than two. Therefore the (4) small additional lifts permitted must be light, brief and not too high and executed in dance position and emphasize the character of the Waltz.

· Step Sequences

«Diagonal» must be skated corner to corner and, in general, the direction should be maintained throughout.

«Circular» must use the full width of the ice surface, so as to distinguish the Step Sequence (In the Original Dance) from a loop.

· In the Original Dance

The Circular Step Sequence, closed, tango and/or open position (Two different holds required) must include threes, twizzles and brackets for both partners and may include movements to enhance the overall impression.

The Diagonal Step Sequence, has the same requirements for holds to be incorporated it must be skated with deep curves incorporating rockers, counters, choctaws, mohawks and other steps as defined in Rule 504 for both partners as well as other recognized dance movements.

· In the Free Dance

The Step Sequences must not include lifts, dance spins or jumps but once again, the Step Sequences may include other recognized dance movements to enhance the overall impression.

· Twizzles

The required number of Twizzles must be included in the composition of the Free Dance but it is recommended that in the Free Dance that, either in the Step Sequence or during the routine, the required Twizzles are executed as synchronized movements, skated together either turning in opposite directions or turning the same way. These would not be counted in the number of separations.

· Choreography

It is recommended both in the Original Dance and the Free Dance that the Step Sequences are placed in a position on the ice surface to be immediately apparent to the Judges and Audience to indicate that they are the Required Element in both the Original Dance and Free Dance.

· Interpretation of the Original Dance «Waltz»

The choice of music is free providing that the 3/4 Waltz Tempo is clear (See Ice Dance Rhythm Booklet) but the interpretation must have the character of Ballroom Dancing, translated to the ice, by flow and use of edges (See Rule 509, para 1) regardless of the character of the Waltz music chosen. Example, if Ballet music is chosen, the skating must reflect the character of the Ballroom Waltz and not a «pas de deux».

· Original Dance - Infractions

Some routines had center line infractions, such as crossing the Center Line as well as crossing the «Blue Lines» at one or both ends of the Arena (except in the cases of the Required Step Sequences).

Other infractions included not stepping with the beat(s) and constructing the steps on the melody and not on the beat, therefore losing the character of the dance.

The general impression at these early events was good but it is hoped that the discussion, both in St.Gervais and Oberstdorf and the comments above will result in improvements.

Please note:

New Marking sheets for all eight Compulsory Dances, Original Dance and Free Dance are now available at and can be ordered from the ISU Secretariat.

Milan,                                             Ottavio Cinquanta, President
                 September 15, 1998                                                     
Lausanne,                                       Fredi Schmid, General Secretary

REVISED

SPECIFIC TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPULSORY DANCE AND DEDUCTION GUIDELINES

JUNIOR DANCES 1998/99 SEASON

ROCKER FOXTROT (4 sequences)                    MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory     

ROCKER SECTION
Correct rocker turn, directed towards center of
ice, (not a 3-turn with change of edge)
Skated with depth in and out, without the man
double tracking following the lady’s rocker             Deduction       0.1

MOHAWK  SECTION (STEPS 10, 11 AND 12)                                            
Including strong outside edge into Mohawk
which is skated on correct edge, with correct
execution of the turn                                   Deduction       0.2
                        
REPEAT
Restarted at the mid-line with correctly completed
crossed chasses                                         Deduction       0.1






VIENNESE WALTZ  (3 sequences)                        MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory

PROGRESSIVE RUNS, CHANGE OF EDGE SECTIONS
FORWARD AND BACKWARD (STEPS 1-5 AND STEPS 16-20)
Strongly skated with a light, lilting action with
well defined changes of edges and positions. 
Deductions each direction                               Deduction       0.1

THREE TURN AND MOHAWK/CHOCTAW SECTION                    
Skated with deep, correct edges, especially Steps 9
and 10 with good unison allied to neat footwork and 
maintaining a close position throughout                 Deduction       0.1

 


QUICKSTEP (4 sequences)                              MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory

OPENING, CHOCTOW AND «BREAK OUT» SECTION                 
The swing closed choctaw is commenced on 
a strong outside edge onto a strong inside 
edge followed by a definite «Break out», 
change of edge, in the direction of the barrier.        Deduction       0.2

BACKWARD STEP SEQUENCE SECTION                   
Steps 7-10 should be skated with strong, deep
edges which are directed toward the center 
and the barrier alternately with natural 
flow and changes of body weight,
and well defined cross steps.                           Deduction       0.1

INCORRECT RE-START AND/OR SHIFTING PATTERN               Deduction       0.1




TANGO (2 sequences)                                  MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                        Incorrect or unsatisfactory

LONG EDGES AND CROSS CHASSES SECTION
Forward and backward, skated so that 
the depth of edge and flow are equal 
for both partners in both directions. 
There should not be a break in the couple’s
position in either direction. All cross 
chasses should be neatly skated. 
Deduction, each direction                               Deduction       0.1

MOHAWK SECTION                                           
This section should be skated on a strong, 
equal curve by both partners with the swing
closed mohawk skated at the top of the circle. 
(Clearly skated from inside edge to inside 
edge by the man and matching outside to 
outside edge by the lady).                              Deduction       0.2


 

SENIOR DANCES 1998/99 SEASON




RAVENSBURGER WALTZ   (2 sequences)           MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory

OPENING SECTION OF INSIDE THREES                         
Three turns must be skated on a continuous arc,
 with edges of equal curvature (Not hooked).            Deduction       0.1

ROCKER, CHOCTAW SECTION                                          
Clean rocker, correct choctaw (Lady)                                    
Strong outside edges, clean open strokes (Man).         Deduction       0.2

«WALK-AROUND-THREES» AND RESTART                         
Skated close together with axis between the couple,
and not wide stepped on re-start.                       Deduction       0.2




PASO DOBLE   (3 sequences)                   MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCES
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory

SLIP STEPS                                       
Should be skated with one knee bent, not 
in scissors position with two straight 
knees and must be on straight line                      Deduction       0.2

«BREAK OUT» SECTION (STEPS 10-11-12)                             
Good shoulder line  and unison plus hip control
should be maintained throughout with a well defined 
«Break-out» which must not be two-footed, and well
defined cross steps                                     Deduction       0.2

CROSS ROLLS AND RE-START SECTION                         
Deep edges of equal depth, with partners in a well
matched position. Speed and flow should be 
maintained without toe-pushing. True Mohawk for re-
start                                                   Deduction       0.2

 

TANGO ROMANTICA      (2 sequences)           MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory

OPENING SECTION, „HELICOPTER“                                    
Must be started on beat 4 and be turned
simultaneously by both partners. It is 
important to maintain a stable position 
and balance between the partners for a 
controlled step down. Following progressive
begins on Beat 2.                                       Deduction       0.2

LADIES CHANGE OF EDGE TWIZZLE (STEP 10) SECTION                  
Obvious change of edge for lady before her twizzle 
which should be executed on one foot. Tracking is 
important for the man.                                  Deduction       0.1

„STEP OVER“ SECTION (STEPS 29-30) 
Man’s step to be a wide step to the side 
and not forward. The partners must be in 
correct Reverse Tango Position                          Deduction       0.2


CHOCTAW AND TWIZZLE (STEPS 45-46) SECTION
Deep choctaw with well controlled twizzle               Deduction       0.2



BLUES        (3 sequences)                           MAXIMUM DEDUCTIONS PER SEQUENCE
                                                Incorrect or unsatisfactory     


CHOCTAW AND EXIT SECTION  (STEP 12-14)                                           
Steps 12 and 13 should be skated with a strong inside
to outside edge, both of equal curvature to 
the following strong outside edge of step 14. The 
closed choctaw should be correctly executed without 
wide stepping and step 14 should commence with an 
accurate back cross roll                                Deduction       0.3



PREPARATION FOR RE-START (STEPS 15-17)
These steps should be skated strongly with 
good positions. Both partners stepping forward 
onto a strong right forward inside edge (step 15).      Deduction       0.1