This week we're looking at the breakdown of the pairs updates. Many of the same updates from singles will apply to pairs as well. However, obviously there are some elements in pairs that don't exist in singles, and some of the rules for elements are slightly different for pairs.
For each of the following elements, 1 feature gives the element a level 1, 2 for level 2, 3 for level 3 and 4 for level 4
The first element we're going to look at is the twist:
Features for a twist are:
1. a split position in the air (meaning the lady's legs are at least 45 degrees from the body and straight or almost straight)
2. Catching the lady at the waist with no part of her upper body touching the man (including hands/arms)
3. Lady's air position with one hand above the head (minimum of one revolution)
4. Difficult take-off (steps done by both partners immediately before take-off)
5. Man's arms (straight or almost straight) dropping at least to shoulder level after releasing the lady
Next we'll look at lifts:
Features for lifts are:
1. Difficult variation of the take-off and/or difficult landing (each counts as it's own feature)
2. One change of hold and/or lady's position (one revolution of the man before and after, counts twice when repeated)
3. Difficult variation of the lady (minimum one revolution)
4. Difficult carry- Not in the short program
5. One-hand-hold of the man- must total 2 revolutions, parts shorter then one revolution are not counted
6. Additional one handed revolutions in the same lift as 5, only in one lift and only in the freeskate
7. Change of rotational direction- one rotation before and after change
-Features 1,2, and 3 must be significantly different in each lift. If similar they will only be counted the first time
- Difficult take-offs include: somersault take-off, smal lift going in without the lady touching the ice between, one hand take-off, spread eagle or ina bauer or spiral by one or both partners, (for some lifts) inside axel take-off
- Difficult landings include: somersaults, variation in hold, variation of partner position and/or direction of landing, one hand landing, spread eagle position for the man on landing
- Difficult carry must have one of the three of the following: man skates on one foot for at least 3 seconds, holds the partner in one arm, or performs crossovers, spread eagle, or similar move
- Difficult variation of the lady's position is defined as 'a movement of leg, arm, or upper body which requires physical strength or flexibility and has an effect on the balance of the main body core'
- A change of hold or lady's position requires one rotation of the man before and after the change. If both these features are executed at the same time, only one level will be counted
- 'Variation of the take-off/landing, change of hold/lady’s basic position and difficult variation of the lady' must be significantly different from any previous variation/change to be awarded a level
- Features 'change of hold/lady's position' and 'difficult variation of the lady' cannot be interrupted by a carry
- Feature 'one-hand-hold of the man' will not be counted if both arms of the lady are touching the man
Up next, step sequences:
Features for step sequences are:
1. Variety of steps within the step sequence completed by both partners (minimum variety for level 1, simple variety for level 2, or variety for levels 3 and 4)
2. Rotations in either direction with full body rotation covering at least 1/3 of the pattern in total for each direction
3. Use of body movements for 1/3 of the pattern
4. Changes in position (crossing at least 3 times while completing steps and turns) for at least 1/3 of the pattern but not more than 1/2 OR not separating for at least 1/2 of the pattern (changes of hold excluded)
5. Two different combinations of 3 difficult turns (rockers, counters, brackets, loops) by both partners with a clear rhythm within the sequence
- Turns included for levels in step sequences are three turns, brackets, loops, counters, and rockers. Twizzles are no longer counted in pairs
- Steps counted for levels in step sequences are toe steps, chasses, mohawks, chocktaws, curves with change of edge, and cross rolls
- The same requirements for singles must be met by both partners (details can be found in last week's post)
- Use of body movements means skaters must include for a total of 1/3 of the pattern any movements of the arms, head, torso, hips, and legs that have an effect on the balance of the main body core
- Skaters will be awarded a feature for EITHER crossing for at least 1/3 but not more than 1/2 of the pattern OR not separating for half the pattern.
Next, death spirals:
Features of death spirals are:
1. Difficult entry (immediately preceding the death spiral) and/or exit
2. Full revolution of the lady while both partners are in 'low' positions (counts as many times as counted)
-Death spirals receive a level if both partners complete a minimum of 1 revolution in death spiral position; meaning the man's knees must be clearly bent, his arm extended, and his toe pick anchored in the ice and the lady's head must reach the level of her skating knee (for at least part of the revolution)
- The lady's low position requires; on inside death spirals, that her hip and head should not be higher than her skating knee, for outside death spirals the lady's head must be no higher than her skating knee, and her body should be flat or have a slight arch
-The man's low position requires; the thigh being parallel to the ice or lower
- If the lady or the man are at any time not in low position, the death spiral can only receive the levels for difficult entries or exits
-Change of arm by either partner is allowed, but is not considered a feature
- Change of pivot is considered the end of the death spiral
- For difficult entries, both partners must be on the entry curve, and the lady or man perform a difficult position without delaying the entry to the death spiral
- Exits begin when the man bends his holding arm, and end when the lady is back in a vertical position
For side by side spins:
Features of side by side spins are:
1. Difficult variations, counting as many times as performed within the specified limitations
2. Change of foot by a jump
3. Jump within a spin without changing feet
4. Difficult change of position on the same foot
5. Difficult entrance into the spin
6. Clear change of edge in sit (only back inside to forward outside), camel, layback, and biellmann positions
7. All 3 basic positions on the second foot
8. Both directions imediately following each other in sit or camel positions
9. Clear increase of speed in sit, camel, layback, or biellmann
10. At least 6 revolutions without changes in position or variation, foot or edge (camel, layback, difficult variation of any basic position or for combinations only non-basic position)
- Side by side elements must reach the same requirements as are dictated to singles (by both partners), and pairs will receive the same deductions as single skaters
- The level feature 'difficult entry' does not include backward or flying entries
- All other clarifications are the same as with single skaters
For pairs spins:
Features of pairs spins:
1. 3 changes of basic positions of both partners
2. 3 difficult variations of positions of partners, only one of which can be in a non-basic position (each variation of each partner counts separately, and each partner must have at least one difficult variation)
3. Any other difficult variation in a basic position of either partner (each partner must have 2 difficult variations)
4. entrance from backward outside or backward inside edge
5. Both directions immediately following each other
6. At least 6 revolutions without and changes in position/variation and foot (camel, sit, difficult upright)
- In pair spin combinations: all 3 basic positions must be met by both partners if not completed (a) the base value is reduced to 70% of the original value
- A pair can only be awarded one level feature for changes of positions
- Each partner must execute difficult variations (1 or 2 for a total of 3 and 4 respectively) for the feature to be counted, only one of the variations may be a non-basic position
That section was a little tough for me to get through. I am definitely the least comfortable with pairs, so I hope this all made sense to you, and if there's something you don't really get, feel free to drop me a comment and I'll do my best to explain it in greater detail.
Hope you guys have been enjoying so far!
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