Figure Skating · Synchronized Skating Rules
Law 2: Turns, steps and free skating moves
1 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 19 October 2026 · markdown
How the synchronized rules sort turns and steps (sets of Twizzles, loops, difficult and listed turns, turning methods), the free skating elements a team may use (butterflies, illusions, assisted and throw jumps, lifts and spins), and the free skating moves and how long they must be held.
2.21Turns, steps and free skating moves
Turns and steps; free skating elements; spins, pivots and free skating moves.
Test 1Turns and steps in synchroTake a test
A Set of Twizzles is at least two Twizzles performed one after the other; the number of foot placements allowed between them may be limited in an ISU Communication.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Twizzle) · recall
A loop is a one-foot movement in which the skater makes an oval on the same edge; its entry and exit must cross.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Steps) · recall
The difficult turns and steps are the bracket, choctaw, counter, loop, outside mohawk, rocker and Twizzles of two or more rotations; three turns, single-rotation Twizzles and inside mohawks are not.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Terms) · applied
The turning method sorts turns into those on one lobe (bracket, three turn, Twizzle) and those using two different lobes (counter, rocker).
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Terms) · recall
A crossover is two steps, push and cross, in which the free foot crosses the skating foot completely before being placed on the ice.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Linking steps) · recall
A Cross Roll starts with the free foot approaching the skating foot from the side and striking the ice almost at right angles to it: crossed in front going forward, behind going backward.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Linking steps) · recall
'Different turns/step' covers each listed type of turn and step plus the four different methods of execution; 'different types' covers the listed types alone.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Terms) · recall
Between the two Twizzles only the foot placements the season's Communication allows may come.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Twizzle) · applied
The oval closes on itself: the skater stays on one edge throughout and the exit line runs across the entry.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Steps) · applied
B closes into an oval whose ends cross; A is a single edge, C a change of edge, D a three turn.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Steps) · applied
Test 2Free skating elements: jumps, lifts and spinsTake a test
The body is nearly horizontal at take-off, the free leg swings up higher than the body and head, the body stays horizontal in flight and on landing, and no revolutions are needed after it.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Butterfly) · recall
An illusion is a quick rotational movement in which the head and upper body drop, head and chest close to the supporting leg, while the free leg kicks higher than hip level.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Illusion) · recall
The listed jumps are the Axel, flip, loop, Lutz, Salchow, split jump, toe loop and waltz jump; all other jumps are non-listed.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Jumps) · recall
Other skaters give only passive assistance; the take-off is made by the jumper, with one continuous rise and fall. The helpers' hands may rise above shoulder level.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Jumps) · recall
A jump sequence links jumps of any revolutions, possibly with non-listed jumps, one straight after another in the jump rhythm, with no crossovers or stroking between them.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Jumps) · recall
A throw jump is partner assisted: one skater is thrown up on the take-off and lands unassisted on a backward outside edge. In synchro it may have any number of revolutions.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Jumps) · recall
A lift raises skaters to any height for 3 seconds or more; shorter than that it is an un-sustained lift.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Lifts) · recall
A lift must be gliding through all three phases (preparation, execution, set-down) unless stationary, and the lifted skater must continue to skate afterwards unless the lift is the final pose or a Communication says otherwise.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Lifts) · applied
A spin needs at least three revolutions; if it has a change of foot or position, two revolutions are required before and after the change.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Spins) · applied
A group spin is three or more skaters spinning round a common axis (C). A shows solo spins, each skater on an own axis; B is a pair spin of two round a common axis; D two pairs, each on its own axis.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Spins) · applied
Test 3Pivots, spin positions and free skating movesTake a test
In both, one skater is the centre point and the other glides round it. In a death spiral the gliding skater must be on a clean edge, body and head close to the ice without touching it; in a pair pivot positions are free.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Pivot) · applied
In a sideways leaning spin the torso leans sideways at least 45 degrees from the core axis of the body.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Spins) · recall
A cross foot spin is a variation of the upright spin with both feet on the ice, crossed in front or behind.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Spins) · recall
Each free skating move is held in position and on an edge for at least three seconds; with a change, two seconds before and two after it.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 · recall
A 'type' of free skating move is its listed kind: Biellmann RFI and RFO are the same type, while a Biellmann and a Spread Eagle are different types. 'Same move' also means same position, edge, foot and direction.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 · applied
In a Charlotte the body bends forward at least 135 degrees from upright, head and chest close to the supporting leg, the free leg extended behind at least 135 degrees.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 (Charlotte) · recall
Hydroblading is a low counter-balanced position on one foot and an edge, the supporting leg bent at least 90 degrees; the free leg and forearms may not rest on the ice, but the hands may touch it for support.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 (Hydroblading) · recall
Two seconds on each side of the change, rather than three seconds in one go.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 · applied
The sideways leaning spin needs at least 45 degrees, hydroblading a supporting leg bent to at least 90, and an upright extension the free leg at least 135 degrees to the skating leg.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rules 841.3-841.4 · applied
A move needs three seconds, or two seconds on each side of a change. A holds 3 with no change; B only 2.5; C has 1 after its change; D has 1 before it.
Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 · applied
Sources
ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating, 2026, Rule 841.2-841.4 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Jumps)4
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Spins)4
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.44
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Steps)3
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Terms)3
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Twizzle)2
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Linking steps)2
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Lifts)2
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Butterfly)1
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Illusion)1
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.3 (Pivot)1
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 (Charlotte)1
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4 (Hydroblading)1
- ISU SR SYS 2026, Rules 841.3-841.41