Law 4: Elements and shapes

A block, closed or open, has all skaters in one block configuration with a minimum of three lines. A line element, by contrast, has at most two lines.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Block) · recall

A closed block is outlined and filled in with skaters; an open block is only outlined.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Block) · recall

In a diamond the centre line or lines must be the longest; in a pyramid the back line is longer than the front, and in a three or four line block the lines are as equal as possible.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Block) · recall

A circle has a minimum of three skaters; the basic forms are one circle, two or more side by side, and circles inside circles.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Circle) · recall

A line must have a maximum of two lines; with three or more it becomes a block.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Line) · recall

The basic wheels are one, two (the 'S' wheel), three, four or five spoke wheels, multiple wheels, and two- or three-line parallel wheels; spokes may be straight or curved.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Wheel) · recall

The requirements are described for a team of sixteen skaters but can be adapted for teams of other numbers; all skaters must take part in the shapes and movements.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 · recall

An artistic circle or wheel begins once the configuration is recognised and starts rotating with all skaters; a block or line begins once it progresses across the ice. It ends when it breaks apart or a connection into another element begins.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Artistic Element) · applied

The 'S' wheel has two spokes; the basic wheels run from one to five spokes, each spoke of at least two skaters.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Wheel) · applied

B widens from a short front to a long back. A is widest in the middle, C has three lines of one length, and D is only an outline.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Block) · applied

All skaters must intersect and/or pass through during the intersection element.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

In a collapsing intersection the skaters pass each other at different times using at least two different axes; box, triangle and 'L' intersections are examples.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

In a whip intersection the lines approach from a curve until the lead skaters are back to back with the axis of intersection, then start to straighten before intersecting.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

In a 'V' intersection two or more straight lines pivot and skate towards each other and the axis from opposite sides or ends, passing at the same or different times.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

The number of skaters in each line or part of an intersection must be as equal as possible.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

A combined intersection is one in which two different types of intersection are combined.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · recall

In an angled intersection two parallel lines approach from opposite sides; the approach begins as they move towards each other and ends once the lead skaters start to pass.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · applied

Each of the three phases must be included: the approach towards the axis, the point of intersection, and the exit away from it.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · applied

The curve comes first; only once the leaders stand back to back with the axis do the lines straighten and cross.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · applied

B is a box closing in from four sides, the skaters passing at different times over two axes. A shows two lines meeting head on, C a 'V' of pivoting lines, D lines coming in on a curve, a whip.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Intersection Element) · applied

A pair element begins once pairs are formed by the entire team and ends when the pairs break apart and a connection into another element begins.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Pair Element) · recall

A No Hold Element begins when the skaters form one block in no hold, and ends when the block breaks apart, a connection begins, or some or all skaters deliberately touch each other.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (No Hold Element) · recall

All skaters must attempt to take part, either as a lifted skater or by supporting one; the element begins as they form their groups and ends when the lifted skaters are set down.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Group Lift Element) · recall

In a mixed element two or more different elements, chosen from block, circle, line and wheel, interact: crossing paths, intersecting, circling, mirroring or passing by; pairs may take part with at least two pairs.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Mixed Element) · recall

The creative element is chosen by the Synchronized Skating Technical Committee; all or part of the requirements of that element may be suspended for the season.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Creative Element) · recall

The skaters may use the same or different rotational directions in a synchronized spin element.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Synchronized Spin Element) · recall

Both begin once a circle or wheel is recognised and starts to rotate; a rotating element must attempt to rotate, a travelling element to rotate and travel.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Traveling and Rotating) · applied

Each of the three phases must be included: the entry onto the entry edge or Feature, the rotations, and the exit when the skaters stop spinning.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Synchronized Spin Element) · applied

The creative dance element uses all the vocabulary of skating on one continuous axis, from a barrier to the opposite barrier, matching the music.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (Creative Dance Element) · applied

A No Hold Element is one block with nobody holding or touching (B). A, C and D all have holds between skaters.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 841.7 (No Hold Element) · applied