Law 1: Teams, terms and the four basic shapes

Pending agreement of the IOC, Synchro9 is the sub-discipline for the Olympic Winter Games and the Youth Olympic Games; the IOC sets the number of entries.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.1.b · recall

A synchronized team may include both women and men, and its object is to perform as one unit.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2 · recall

A Synchro12-16 team may list up to four alternates; a Synchro9 team only one.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.b · recall

After injury or illness a Synchro12-16 or novice team may skate if it is short by no more than two skaters; a Synchro9 team by no more than one.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.b · applied

The injury or illness must be certified by the ISU Medical Advisor assigned to the competition or by the team physician.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.b · recall

In novice, a team can consist of nine to sixteen skaters.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.4 · recall

Exceptions to the composition of a team may be decided by the Council for multi-sport events sanctioned by the ISU.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.c · recall

Synchro9 may lose one skater (8 left); Synchro12-16 up to two, so a twelve can drop to ten and a sixteen to fourteen.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.b · applied

With a certified injury or illness, a Synchro9 team may still skate one skater short.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 800.2.b · applied

The four basic element shapes are block, circle, line and wheel. A is a block, B a circle, C a line, and D a wheel, its spokes turning around a centre.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 (Shape) · applied

Configuration is the number of lines, spokes or circles in the element.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

Highlighting is when one skater performs a movement away from and in contrast with the rest of the team. Splitting into smaller groups is sub-grouping.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

An Innovative Movement is a creative and/or unexpected movement that is not part of the skating repertoire.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

A line or spoke is formed when two points are connected, so it must have at least two skaters.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

A stationary element is done on one spot, rotating or not; stopping means the skaters stand in one place without any movement.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · applied

Basket weave, catch, hand, elbow and shoulder holds, and no hold, are examples of holds a team may use.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

Syncopated choreography is choreography or elements with a rhythmic time delay in movement, for example skaters moving one after the other.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · recall

Features are technical content that increases difficulty; they are published each season, and elements are divided into Difficulty Groups by the number of Features included.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · applied

A series or combination of turns is at least two different types of turns on one foot, the exit edge of one being the entry edge of the next.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 · applied

The axes are the imaginary lines dividing the ice: the long axis (A), the short axis (B) and a diagonal axis corner to corner (C). D is a curve, not an axis.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.1 (Axis) · applied