# Synchronized Skating Rules, Law 6: Synchronized competitions (ISU Sports Rules)

Figure Skating · Law 6: Synchronized competitions · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/laws/synchronized-skating-law-6-synchronized-competitions/)

How a synchronized season's requirements are announced, team names, the order and schedule of segments, practice ice, entries into ISU Championships, draws for the starting order, warm-up and resurfacing, the call to the start and how long each program lasts.

## 6.61 Synchronized competitions

Requirements, schedule and entries; draws, warm-up, start and duration.

### Test 1: Requirements, schedule and entries

- The Synchronized Skating Technical Committee announces the lists in an ISU Communication by June 1st; they take effect on July 1st. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.2)
- Seniors and juniors skate a Short Program and a Free Skating; novices, basic and advanced, skate only a Free Skating. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.1)
- Teams may use their own names if these do not conflict with ISU sponsors; when the ISU finds one inappropriate, the ISU Member must file a name change. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 845)
- An organiser may hold both segments on one day, except at ISU Championships, if at least four hours pass after the end of the Short Program. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.2)
- At the official practices for the Short Program and the Free Skating the team's music is played twice, each time without interruption, and no other music is played. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.4)
- The five ISU Members placed highest at the previous ISU Synchronized Skating Championships may enter two teams. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 849.1)
- Every other team needs the season's Minimum Combined Total Element Scores, Short Program and Free Skating added; the host's team is entered without them. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 849.2)
- Novices get at least 10 minutes any time before the Free Skating; between the segments juniors get at least 11 and seniors at least 12. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.4)
- The lists are announced by June 1st and take effect on July 1st; the requirements then apply at all ISU events until June 30th. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.2-3)
- The Short Program ends at 12; only C, at half past four, leaves the four hours the rules ask for. A, B and D come too soon. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.2)

### Test 2: Draws, warm-up, start and duration

- A skater draws the ISU Member who starts, and the order follows the Members alphabetically from there; Championships and the Olympics draw by World Standings. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 850.1)
- Each team has a warm-up of at least one minute, without music, while the previous team's marks are being judged. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.1)
- A team must not take more than 30 seconds to exit the ice, in the Short Program and the Free Skating alike. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.1)
- The ice is resurfaced after every six teams in the Short Program and every five in the Free Skating, unless the ISU changes the groups at a Championship. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.4)
- Teams are announced with their own name in a set way: the ISU Member first, followed by the team's name. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 853.3)
- The Short Program may last 2 minutes 50 seconds, or less; going over brings a deduction for each started 5 seconds. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.1)
- Any element started after 2 minutes 50 seconds is considered omitted; in the Free Skating, elements started after the time plus 10 seconds have no value. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.1)
- The Free Skating lasts 3 minutes for novices, 3 minutes 30 seconds for juniors and 4 minutes for seniors, each with ten seconds either way. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.2)
- The next team enters at the sign of the RAI and warms up; it is then announced and must be in its starting position within 30 seconds. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 853.2-4)
- A junior team may finish ten seconds either side of 3:30. B ends at 3:38; A at 3:15 and D at 3:05 are too short, C at 3:45 too long. (Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.2)

Sources: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating, 2026, Rules 844-854 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

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