# Ice Dance Rules, Law 7: The Free Dance (ISU Sports Rules)

Figure Skating · Law 7: The Free Dance · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/laws/ice-dance-law-7-the-free-dance/)

What sets the Free Dance apart from the Rhythm Dance: the couple's own music and its required changes, the whole ice, separations, holds and stops, the elements a well-balanced program may hold, and how long a season's requirements apply.

## 7.71 The Free Dance

The program and its music; separations, holds, stops and the well-balanced program.

### Test 1: The Free Dance and its music

- The Free Dance is a creative program expressing the character and rhythms of dance music the couple choose; the Rhythm Dance follows the rhythm or theme set for the season. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.a)
- The Free Dance must not have the concept of a pair program or a show program; changes of mood and pace are expected. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.a)
- The program must utilise the whole ice surface, and should be choreographed to all sides of the arena. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.a, d)
- The music needs a rhythmic beat and/or melody, or a beat alone, but may be without a beat for up to 10 seconds at the beginning or the end and up to 10 seconds during the program. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.c.i)
- All music, classical included, must be cut, edited, orchestrated or arranged to make an interesting, colourful dance program with different moods or a building effect. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.c.iii)
- All steps and turns are permitted, and deep edges and intricate footwork of skill, difficulty, variety and originality must be included and performed by both partners. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.d)
- All elements and movements are permitted if they suit the character of the music and a well-balanced program and follow the definitions of Rule 704, which also sets what is illegal. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.e)
- Up to 10 seconds without a beat are allowed at the start, and the music must hold at least one change of tempo or rhythm and expression, which may be gradual or immediate. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.c)
- The Required Elements of a well-balanced Free Dance for novice, junior and senior couples, with their requirements, are announced every year in an ISU Communication. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.2)
- Free Dance music must hold at least one change of tempo or rhythm, gradual or immediate. A keeps one tempo all through; B changes gradually, C at once, D twice. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.c.ii)

### Test 2: Separations, holds, stops and the well-balanced program

- The number of separations for transitional footwork or moves is not restricted, but each one outside the Required Elements lasts no more than 5 seconds, partners within two arm lengths. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.f)
- The choreography reflects the character, accents and nuances of the music and shows a close relationship between the partners, with obvious changes of mood and pace and variations in speed and tempo. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.a)
- All changes of hold are permitted; many and varied holds increase the difficulty of the program and should therefore be included. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.g)
- Full stops of up to 5 seconds, in which the couple stay still while moving, twisting or posing, are permitted in addition to those in Required Elements; unlike the Rhythm Dance, no count is set unless a Communication says so. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.h)
- The options for a well-balanced Free Dance include Step Sequences of Groups A and B, straight line and curved, together with lifts, spins, Turn Sequences and Choreographic Elements. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.2)
- The Free Dance options are Dance Lifts, Dance Spins, Step Sequences, Turn Sequences and Choreographic Elements; the Pattern Dance Element belongs to the Rhythm Dance. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 709.2, 710.2)
- Each year's announcement covers three categories of Free Dance: novice, junior and senior. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.2)
- A separation is short and close: the partners are back together within five seconds and are never more than two arm lengths apart. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.f)
- The Ice Dance Technical Committee decides the requirements each year; technical Communications are published before 1 June, and the requirements apply at all ISU Events and international competitions from 1 July to 30 June. (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.2-711.3)
- Skating face to face (C) is considered more difficult than skating side by side (A), one after the other (B), or apart hand in hand (D). (Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 710.1.g)

Sources: ISU Sports Rules, Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance, effective 12 June 2026, Part III, Rules 710 and 711.2 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

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