An Open Letter to the ISU (AKA Please Fix the IJS)

As a skater and a skating fan who has lived and skated through the change from the 6.0 to the IJS, let me first just say how much of an improvement it has been and how much it has pushed figure skating forward as a sport. It has made the judging slightly more impartial (though, let's be real, it's never going to be truly impartial no matter how hard we try) and it has been improved in recent years. Now that judging is no longer anonymous, hopefully we will see a little more accountability to help with the impartiality. And cracking down on flutzing will be great, ensuring that skaters can actually do the jumps in their programs, but the system is still far from perfect.

The talk of changing the GOE system to allow for higher scores is a little infuriating to me. It's not a change that has a whole lot of real meaning, and it seems that it has only been created for the sake of making it possible for new world records, but if I had any say, that is not the route I would have taken.

While I know first hand how hard those jumps are (nevermind quads, I never mastered all my doubles), they are not the only difficult aspect of figure skating, and I really do believe, especially with the new GOE system, they will continue to be rewarded above all else. I have 2 changes I would recommenced to the IJS, and though I know they probably will never happen, I need to get these off my chest.

1. I would love to see unlimited levels in elements that are leveled (spins, step sequences, etc.).

This would allow skaters whose strengths are not in the jumping elements to shine. Some of the best spinners in the world have, for example laybacks that could be counted as level 7 or 8 laybacks that they continue to do in competition, despite the fact that they are not rewarded for the extra difficulty. This same idea would push skaters to improve their skating skills to max out levels on step sequences. The way that they are currently set up, skaters who don't have the greatest skating skills are able to disguise them pretty effectively by only just meeting the requirements of the level 4 step sequences while others who clearly have better skating skills also complete a level 4 step sequence, and though they get a higher GOE, they start at the same base value when they are sometimes not at all comparable

2. I would like to see a system for the judges that is divided, half the judges providing the TES and the other providing the PCS.

Often, PCS can become a little like reputation points, where high marks are given to well-known, well-established skaters who are not as strong, simply because the judges have so much to do, they can't effectively watch for both PCS and TES at the same time. The easiest solution (in my mind) would be to leave the TES to the technical pannel, and just add one or two of the judges to that pannel who provide both levels and GOEs for technical elements while the judging pannel, now down a few members evaluate the PCS. By altering the judging system in this way, skaters can be rewarded for the skills they have regardless of whether they are technical, artistic, or both without any category being underrepresented because the judging panel have so much to do. Judging is hard. I'm certainly not denying that, but a change in the system, to make it more like synchronized diving, would make the judges' job easier while also giving skaters with different strengths an equal opportunity to succeed.

A perfect illustration of my second point is a comparison between Shoma Uno and Max Aaron at last year's Skate America. Even Max Aaron's fans (well, most of them) will admit that he doesn't have the best skating skills or performance quality. His best ability is in the jumps, and admittedly, when he's having a good day, they're pretty fantastic. However Shoma Uno, though not the best of the best when it comes to skating skills and performance, should be up near the top. However, when they competed against each other at Skate America 2015 in the short, Max Aaron's PCS was higher than Shoma Uno's (he was still brand new to the senior circuit and had yet to make a name for himself). Their PCS were 38.71 and 38.50, respectively. And though they're close it's not all that debatable that Uno's PCS based on the way he skates should be better (and by a wide margin). Though Uno had higher PCS in the free, they were still far too close for my liking (in that Aaron's were too high, objectively, he doesn't perform or skate as well as the top men in the PCS, whereas Uno undoubtedly comes close).

Though these changes may look immense at first glance, they would take very little change to the IJS but would work wonders to continue to propel the sport forward in segments beyond the jump elements and would change the sport forever in a way that I think would be positive overall, much like the way the change to the IJS was a huge uprooting for long-time skaters, but in the end made positive contributions to the sport.

Signed,
A Great Lover of Figure Skating.

The 2015-2016 Free Dance- Breaking Down the Updates to the IJS

The required elements of the free dance for 2015/2016 are:

1. One short lift and one combination lift (the short lift must be different from the short lifts making up the combination lift) or three different types of short lifts

2. One dance spin (spin or combination spin)

3. Two step sequences in hold

One straight line step sequence (midline or diagonal) and one curved step sequence (curved or serpentine)

4. One set of synchronized twizzles

5. One choreographic element

One choreographic spinning movement: meaning a dance lift performed after all the others of up to ten seconds

Or one choreographic dance lift: a spinning movement performed after the dance spin, requiring each partner to perform two revolutions, in any hold, on one foot or two feet or with one partner elevated without being sustained or any combination of the three, on a common axis that may be moving

Or one choreographic twizzling movement: a twizzling movement performed after the required twizzles and done in two parts. For both parts, skaters must perform the movement on one foot, two feet, or a combination of the two. For the first part, skaters must both complete two continuous revolutions, and both skaters must travel. In the second part, at least one skater must complete at least two continuous revolutions, and one or both partners can be on the spot, travelling, or a combination of the two.

In the free dance, the first step sequence is considered a category A and the second is considered B. The following restrictions apply to them:

 Required elements may be skated anywhere in the program, except for during the step sequences.

GOE Marking for 2015-2016 Negative GOEs- Breaking Down the Updates for the IJS

There are a whole lot of ways for skaters to receive a reduced GOE.

In Singles

For Jumps:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:
1. In the short program a jump has one or more revolutions less than required (mandatory -3 overall)
2. In the short program a combo has only one jump (mandatory -3 overall )
3. In the short program the mandatory steps preceding the jump on its own are not completed (mandatory - overall)
4. A skater falls (mandatory - overall)
5. When a skater lands on two feet (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 or -3 for:
1. Skaters step out of a jump (mandatory - overall)
2. Severe wrong edge on flip or lutz (e) (mandatory - overall )
3. Skaters receive a downgrade on a jump (<<) (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:
1. Skaters touch down with both hands (mandatory - overall)
2. Skaters do 2 three turns between jumps in a combo (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 or -2 for:
1. They have poor speed, height, air position
2. Receive an under-rotation call (<)
3. In the short program have a break/only one step in the step sequence leading up to the jump
4. Have a poor take-off
5. Loss of flow, direction, or rhythm between jumps in a combo
6. Have a weak landing (meaning the wrong edge, bad posture, scratching, etc.)
7. Long preparation
8. Unclear or wrong take-off on flip or lutz (!)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:
1. A lack of rotation with no sign (< or <<)
2. Touching down with one had or free foot
3. Unclear edge on flip or lutz with no sign (e or !)


For Spins:

Skaters will receive a GOE of for:
1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:
1. Poor/awkward/unaesthetic positions
2. Slow/travelling spins
3. Change of foot being poorly done (including curve of entry, moving to non-basic position, etc.)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:
1. Not reaching proper position in the air for flying spins and spins with flying entries (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:
1. A touch down with both hands (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:
1. Less than required revolutions
2. Incorrect landing/take-off of a flying spin
3. Prescribed air position not reached in short program
4. A touch down with free foot or hand


For Step Sequences:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:
1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:
1. Poor quality of steps, turns, and/or positions

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:
1. Less than half the pattern doing steps or turns (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:
1. A stumble
2. A sequence that does not correspond with the music

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:
1. In the short program performing within the sequence listed jumps of more than a half revolution


For Choreographic Sequences:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:
1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:
1. A choreographic sequence that does not correspond to the music

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:
1. A serious error (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:
1. A stumble
2. Poor quality of movements

In Pairs

In all cases, where one skater in the pair makes a mistake on the following lists, both partners receive the deduction

For Lifts:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:

1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

2. Serious problems in the lifting process (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a Goe of -1 to -3 for:

1. Poor positions in the air or on the landing

2. Poor speed and/or distance

3. Poor turns by man

4. Poor take-off and/or landing

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:

1. The lady collapsing on her partner (mandatory - overall)

2.  The lady starts or lands on two feet (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:

1. Slight problems in the lifting process

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:

1. Long preparation

2. A touch down with the free foot

For Twists:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:

1. In the short program a single twist (mandatory -3 overall)

2. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:

1. Poor height and/or distance

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:

1. The lady collapsing on her partner (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:

1. The lady not being caught before landing (mandatory - overall)

2. The lady landing on two feet (mandatory - overall)

3. The lady touching down with both hands (mandatory - overall)

4. Being awarded a downgrade (<<) (mandatory - overall)

5. The lady not being caught at the waist

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:

1. Poor take off- includes poor speed, serious scratching, no toe pick

2. Catch assisted by the man's shoulder

3. Weak landing- includes poor speed, bad positions, awkward catch

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:

1. A long preparation

2. A touch down with the free foot

For side by side and throw jumps:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:

1. One or more revolution less than required (mandatory -3 overall)

2. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for: 

1. No unison (side by side jumps)

2. Big distance between partners (side by side jumps)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:

1. A downgrade (<<) (mandatory - overall)

2. Severe wrong edge on flip or lutz (e) (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:

1. Starting or landing a jump on two feet (mandatory - overall)

2. Stepping out of landing of a jump (mandatory - overall)

3. Touch down with both hands (mandatory - overall)

4. Unequal revolutions by both partners (side by side jumps) (mandatory - overall)
5. Two three turns between jumps in combination (side by side jumps) (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for: 

1. Poor speed, height, air position, and/or distance

2. A poor take off

3. Under-rotation (<)

4. Loss of flow, direction, rhythm between jumps (combo/sequence) (side by side jumps)
5. Poor man's position at take-off (throw jumps)

6. Unclear/wrong edge on lutz or flip jump (!)

7. Weak landing- including bad posture, scratching, wrong edge, etc.

8. Long preparation

9. Touch down with one hand or free foot

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:

1. Lack of rotation (no sign < or <<)

2. Unclear/wrong edge on flip or lutz (no sign e or !)

For side by side and pairs spins:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:
1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:
1. Poor, awkward, and/or unaesthetic positions
2. Slow and/or travelling spins
3. Change of foot poorly executed
4. Slow or reduction of speed
5. No unison, and/or large distance between partners

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:
1. Not achieving required air position in flying spins and spins with a flying entry (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 for:
1. A touch down with both hands (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:
1. Less than required revolutions
2. Incorrect take-off or landing for flying spins
3. In the short program and pair combination spin (PCoSp) change of foot not at the same time
4. Stop in spin except when changing direction
5. Touch down with free foot or one hand

For Death Spirals:

Skaters will receive a GOE of -3 for:
1. A fall (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -3 for:
1. Poor position of the lady (too high, etc.)
2. Poor exit
3. Slow or reduction of speed

Skaters will receive a GOE of -2 to -3 for:
1. Wrong pivot position (losing pick, etc.) (mandatory - overall)
2. Lady assisted not only by blades (mandatory - overall)

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 to -2 for:
1. Any part of the lady's body (except hair) touching the ice
2. Use of both arms (by the man or lady) to assist the exit

Skaters will receive a GOE of -1 for:
1. A weak edge from the lady

For Step and Choreographic Sequences:
Same as singles


Overall, GOEs are evaluated on both the positive and negative criteria met by the skater within the element, some faults have mandatory negative GOEs and some are specifically -3s, but in most cases it is a matter of judges discretion (as to whether to award the skater a -1 or a -2 when given the option) and simple math to balance out the positives and negatives of any element.

The IJS is an extremely complex system of judging, and though some of it doesn't always make the most sense, it's a serious improvement over the 6.0 system, even if it's a little (or a lot) more difficult for us to understand.

I hope this series has helped you to understand the system a little better, and I hope you're loking forward to the new season as much as I am.

GOE Marking for 2015-2016 Positive GOEs- Breaking Down the Updates for the IJS

For the most part, GOE evaluations haven't changed much for the new season in singles and pairs, but the ISU communication 1861 breaks down the guidelines for the GOEs as well as the updated rules.

There are a whole lot of them, but for the most part they are pretty straight forward.

To receive a positive GOE on any element, skaters need to meet 2 requirements for +1, 4 for +2 and 6 or more for +3.

In Singles:

The requirements for jump elements are:
1) Unexpected / creative / difficult entry
2) clear recognizable steps/free skating movements immediately preceding element
3) varied position in the air / delay in rotation
4) good height and distance
5) good extension on landing / creative exit
6) good flow from entry to exit including jump combinations / sequences
7) effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

For spins:
1) good speed or acceleration during spin
2) ability to center a spin quickly
3) balanced rotations in all positions
4) clearly more than required number of revolutions
5) good, strong position(s) (including height and air/landing position in flying spins)
6) creativity and originality
7) good control throughout all phases
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Step Sequences:
1) good energy and execution
2) good speed or acceleration during sequence
3) good clarity and precision
4) deep clean edges (including entry and exit of all turns)
5) good control and commitment of whole body to accuracy of steps
6) creativity and originality
7) effortless throughout
8) element enhances the musical structure

For Choreographic Sequences:
1) good flow, energy and execution
2) good speed or acceleration during sequence
3) good clarity and precision
4) good control and commitment of whole body
5) creativity and originality
6) effortless throughout
7) reflecting concept/character of the program
8) element enhances the musical structure

In Pairs:

For Lifts:
1) good take-off and landing position of both
partners
2) correct and aesthetically pleasing air positions
3) good ice coverage during element
4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or
lady during all phases
5) good speed and flow
6) ability to maintain good flow from one
position to another
7) effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Twists:
1) good take-off and landing position of both
partners
2) good position of man at release
3) good ice coverage during element
4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or
lady during all phases
5) good speed and timing from entry to exit
6) good height of lady in air position
7) effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Side By Side Jumps:
1) unexpected / creative / difficult entry
2) varied position in the air / delay in rotation
3) good height and distance
4) good extension on landing / creative exit
5) good flow from entry to exit
6) good unison and close to each other in all
phases
7) effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Throws:
1) unexpected / creative / difficult entry
2) good position of man at release
3) good air position of lady
4) good extension on landing / creative exit
5) good speed, height, distance
6) good control and flow on the landing
7) effortless throughout
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Side By Side Spins:
1) good speed or acceleration during spin
2) ability to center a spin quickly
3) balanced rotations in all positions
4) clearly more than required number of rev.
5) good and identical positions by both partners
6) good control throughout all phases by both
partners
7) good unison and distance between partners
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Pairs Spins:
1) good control throughout (entry, rotation,
conclusion/exit) by both partners
2) good speed or acceleration during spin
3) balanced rotations in all positions
4) clearly more than required number of rev.
5) good positions by both partners
6) creativity and originality
7) executed with continuous flow and ease
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Death Spirals:
1) good flow in entry and exit
2) good control and speed in death spiral
position
3) good quality of positions of both partners
4) no scratching of blade on the ice by man or
lady during all phases
5) good, controlled transition into required
position
6) effortless throughout
7) creativity and originality
8) element matched to the musical structure

For Step Sequences:
1) good energy and execution
2) good speed or acceleration during sequence
3) good clarity and precision
4) deep clean edges (including entry and exit
of all turns)
5) good control and commitment of whole body
to accuracy of steps
6) creativity and originality
7) good unison
8) element enhances the musical structure

For Choreographic Sequences:
1) good flow, energy and execution
2) good speed or acceleration during sequence
3) good clarity and precision
4) good control and commitment of whole body
of both partners
5) creativity and originality
6) effortless throughout
7) reflecting concept/character of the program
8) element enhances the musical structure

New Rules For Pairs-Breaking Down the Updates for the IJS

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!

New Rules for Step Sequences-Breaking Down the Updates for the IJS

Step sequences seem the most difficult to evaluate for skaters, but only minimal changes have been made to the scoring of them for the upcoming season.

They are:
- Step sequences will continue to be evaluated based on the types of turns and steps within in, but the ISU has removed 'running steps' from the list of acceptable steps for a step sequence (VICTORY!)
- Levels 1-4 are awarded based on the general criteria of 'minimum variety (must include at least 5 turns & 2 steps, none of the types can be counted more than twice),' 'simple variety (must include at least 7 turns & 4 steps, none of the types can be counted more than twice),' 'variety (must include at least 9 turns and 4 steps, none of the types can be counted more than twice),' and 'complexity (must  include at least  5  different types of turns and  3 different types of steps all
executed at least once in both directions')
- Rotations in either direction (left and right) with full body rotation covering at least 1/3 of the
pattern in total for each rotational direction
- Use of body movements for at least 1/3 of the pattern (defined as "means the visible use for a combined total of at least 1/3 of the pattern of the step sequence any movements of the arms, head, torso, hips and legs that have an effect on the balance of the main body core")
- Two  different  combinations  of  3  difficult  turns  (rockers,  counters,  brackets,  twizzles,  loops)
executed with a clear rhythm within the sequence (combinations of turns meaning turns done on the same foot without putting a foot down or changing feet). These combinations are considered the same when the same turns are executed on the same foot, in the same direction, and in the same order.

Essentially, levels are awarded based on the number of turns and steps. Levels are also awarded based on body movements, meaning the skater doesn't just stand straight and execute a series of turns

Hope you guys are enjoying this so far! Pairs breakdown (a long one) is coming to you next week.

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.