Law 8: Ice-dance-only deductions and who checks them

The choreography restrictions are the Rhythm and Free Dance rules on the pattern, separations, stops and touching the ice with a hand. Lifts and music have deductions of their own, and kneeling counts as a fall.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n; Rules 709.1.d, g, h, j; 710.1.f, h, j · applied

The choreography restrictions deduction is 1.0 per program, however many restrictions were broken in it.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n · applied

Extra Elements are an ice-dance-only deduction of 1.0 per violation, judged against the Required Elements and the calling principles published in ISU Communications.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n · applied

The music requirements deduction rests on Rule 707.5 (couples' own Pattern Dance music), Rule 709.1.c and Rule 710.1.c; with the ISU's own tunes there is nothing to check.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n; Rules 707.5, 709.1.c, 710.1.c · applied

Tempo specifications come from Rule 707 (Pattern Dances) and Rule 709.1.c.iii (Rhythm Dance). Free Dance music that never changes tempo breaks the music requirements instead.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n; Rules 707.1, 707.5, 709.1.c.iii · applied

The deduction table points to the Required Elements and the principles of calling published in ISU Communications.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n · recall

Kneeling or sliding on two knees, or sitting on the ice, is treated by the Technical Panel as a fall, and in ice dance a fall by one partner costs 1.0.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 710.1.k, 353.1.n · applied

Missing the tempo specification costs 1.0 per program, the music requirements 2.0 per program, and an interruption with an allowance of up to three minutes 5.0.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n · applied

The Referee times the tempo of specified parts of the Rhythm Dance and of couples' own Pattern Dance music, and decides the 1.0 tempo deduction alone.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 430.1, 353.1.n · applied

A Dance Lift that exceeds its permitted duration costs 1.0 per lift. Only C runs past the line; the permitted durations themselves are set in the season's Communication.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 353.1.n; Rule 704.16 · applied

The Referee times the program, interruptions and, in ice dance only, the Dance Lifts with the help of a second timekeeper.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 430.1 · recall

It is one of the Referee's ice-dance-only duties, alongside timing the Dance Lifts.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 430.1 · recall

Costume and prop, choreography and, in ice dance, music deductions are decided by the majority of a panel made up of all the Judges and the Referee.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 430.1-430.2 · recall

Alone, the Referee decides program time, interruptions, costume parts falling on the ice and, for ice dance, overlong Dance Lifts and tempo specifications; music and choreography go to a majority vote with the Judges.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 430.1 · applied

If a draw is needed, the Pattern Dances are drawn on site and announced before the first official practice.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.1 · recall

The draw is carried out by the Referee, if possible in the presence of one participating couple.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.1 · recall

For novice events the IDTC announces the lists; for other international competitions with a Pattern Dance segment the organisers may decide the dances in the Announcement, or have them drawn on site.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.1 · recall

The draw is held on site by the Referee, if possible before one couple, and the dance is announced before the first official practice.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.1 · applied

Novice Pattern Dance lists are announced by 1 June and take effect on 1 July of the year following the announcement.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rule 711.1 · applied

The pose is due within 20 seconds; beyond that 1.0 is lost for each started 5 seconds. A at 18 loses nothing, B at 23 loses 1.0, C at 27 loses 2.0, D at 34 loses 3.0.

Source: ISU Sports Rules S&P/ID 2026, Rules 707.6, 353.1.n · applied