Law 6: Music, time, clothing and the blade

All programs must be skated to music.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 343.1; ISU Sports Rules SYS 2026, Rule 805 · recall

The competitor announces the exact running time of the music, not the skating time, certified by the skater, the coach or the team leader at registration.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 343.2 a · recall

Each program is recorded on a separate track, and competitors provide a back-up drive for each program in the format the announcement asks for.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 343.2 b-c · recall

The volume, as set by the Medical Committee, must not exceed 85-90 dB sound pressure level anywhere in the practice or competition arena.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 343.5 · recall

The organiser furnishes adequate playback facilities for each rink used for the competition and practice, set out in the announcement of the competition.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 343.3 · recall

The time runs from the moment the skater, or either partner in a pair or couple, begins to move or skate until a complete stop at the end of the program.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502 · recall

An element started after the required time plus 10 seconds must not be identified by the Technical Panel and has no value; the timekeepers inform the Referee.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502 · applied

Titles and composers go with the entries for ISU Championships, the running time is certified at registration, the music is played in the competition, and the organisers delete all music files afterwards.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 343.2 a, 343.6 and 379 · applied

The Short Program lasts 2 minutes 40 seconds for seniors and juniors; the Free Skating 3 minutes 30 seconds for juniors and 4 minutes for seniors.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502.1-2 · recall

A blade must be sharpened flat (A) or concave (B) across, without changing its width between the two edges; a slight taper (D) is allowed. A rounded, convex bottom (C) is not.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 500; ISU Sports Rules SYS 2026, Rule 803 · applied

A program 30 seconds or more under the allowed time range gets no marks at all; the range here starts at 3:50, so 3:15 is 35 seconds under it.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502 · applied

Clothing must be modest, dignified and fit for athletic competition, not garish or theatrical, though it may reflect the character of the music.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 501.1; ISU Sports Rules SYS 2026, Rule 804 · recall

Men must wear full-length trousers.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 501.1 · recall

A costume or prop violation is a deduction of 1.0 per program; the Referee and the judges decide it together, by majority.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 353 1.n and 501.1 · recall

Decorations must be non-detachable; part of the costume or decoration falling on the ice costs 1.0 per program.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 353 1.n and 501.2 · applied

For ice dance, the Ice Dance Technical Committee may announce exceptions to the clothing restrictions.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 501.1 · recall

The time is reckoned until the skater arrives at a complete stop at the end of the program, not when the music ends.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502 · recall

The allowed range is 2:30 to 2:50. Within it there is no deduction; beyond it 1.0 for every 5 seconds or part of them (3 s short: 1.0; 7 s over: 2.0); 30 seconds or more under the range (here 31 s) means no marks at all.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 353 1.n and 502 · applied

The Rhythm Dance lasts 2 minutes 50 seconds unless the Ice Dance Technical Committee announces otherwise; the Free Dance 3 minutes 30 seconds for juniors and 4 minutes for seniors.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 502.3-4 · recall

Accessories and props are not permitted, so skater C, holding a hat during the program, would be penalised. A, B and D skate in plain competition clothing.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 501.1 · applied