# Synchronized Skating Rules, Law 2: Turns, steps and free skating moves (ISU Sports Rules)

Figure Skating · Law 2: Turns, steps and free skating moves · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/laws/synchronized-skating-law-2-turns-steps-and-free-skating-moves/)

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.

## 2.21 Turns, steps and free skating moves

Turns and steps; free skating elements; spins, pivots and free skating moves.

### Test 1: Turns and steps in synchro

- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- '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))
- Between the two Twizzles only the foot placements the season's Communication allows may come. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.2 (Twizzle))
- 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))
- 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))

### Test 2: Free skating elements: jumps, lifts and spins

- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))

### Test 3: Pivots, spin positions and free skating moves

- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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)
- 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)
- 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))
- 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))
- Two seconds on each side of the change, rather than three seconds in one go. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.4)
- 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)
- 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)

Sources: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating, 2026, Rule 841.2-841.4 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

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