Flutzing Around- Breaking Down the Updates for the IJS

The ISU will be cracking down on some technical rules this coming season, and I have to say, I'm glad for it.

The ISU released a communication (1861) that provides a list of the changes being made in singles and pairs for the 2015-2016 season.

Let's break down the different things that are going to be affected by the rule changes in singles and pairs. Today we're starting with the jump rules.

- Downgrades (<) will now not only lower the GOE on jumps, but will also reduce the base value to 70% of the original value
- Double downgrades (<<) will be valued only at the same base value as the same jump one revolution less
- Flips and Lutzes will be worth only 70% of their base value when given an edge call (e) (taking off the wrong edge, outside or inside for Flips and Lutzes respectively)
- If flips or lutzes recieve both an edge call (e) and a downgrade (<) they will be valued at only 50% of their base value. This does not include the effect of GOEs on the value of the jumps.
- For now, flips and lutzes will be called based on intent, and not the actual takeoff edge, but the ISU says they will continue to discuss that possibility for the 2016-2017 season
- The lowered base value of flips and lutzes will not apply with a less severe edge call (!) but the GOE will continue to be reduced
- Skaters who recieve an edge call (e) will receive both the base value deduction and must receive a negative GOE
-Jumps with less than 1.5 revolutions will receive no value in both the short and free programs for both juniors and seniors.
- Jumps that do not satisfy the requirements of the short program (wrong number of revolutions) will not be counted
- For skaters for whom combinations of two double jumps are not allowed (all seniors, junior men), the jump with the lower value will not be counted

Overall, I think these rules are going to benefit the sport, but for now, we may see a drop in scores, simply because so many skaters make mistakes like flutzing or lipping.
These rules make sense, and ensure that skaters really are executing elements as they are meant to. Though this might make this season a little rough for some, it will overall benefit the sport by forcing skaters to maintain good technique and not attempting jump elements that are too difficult simply because they might receive more points.
I personally would rather  see skaters perform elements well than simply try elements too difficult for them. The system does tend to reward risky skating, though that is beginning to change.