Building a Synchro Team

Synchronized skating is between six and 16 skaters performing together as a team.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

Level I has a line, a circle (both ways), a bloc, a wheel and an intersection, all forward.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

Backward swizzles are allowed as transitions at Level I, a maximum of two in a row.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

At Level II the circle may go forward or backward and must have a change of direction.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

At Level II the wheel includes backward skating; at Level I it is forward only.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

A good program links elements harmoniously with varied connections and a minimum of two-footed skating.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · recall

Synchronized skating refers to quality of skating, unison, the accuracy of formations and the team's preciseness.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · recall

Level II lists the line (can be diagonal), circle (change of direction), bloc (change of axis) and wheel (backward).

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · applied

Each skater skates towards the new place and the line stays a line; slowing down to let others pass does not count.

Source: ISU Handbook for Technical Panels, Synchronized Skating 2025/26 · applied

C, twelve skaters, is between six and sixteen. A and B are too small, D too large.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · applied

In the basic position partners face each other directly, one skating forward and the other backward, both hands held.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

In the face-to-face cross arm position the skaters cross arms and hold the same hands.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

One partner's hand is held by one hand of the other with the arms comfortably extended.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

Composition criteria include multidimensional movement, connections, musical phrase, pattern and unity.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · recall

Presentation looks at expressiveness, variety and contrast, musical sensitivity, and oneness and awareness of space.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · recall

The first Composition criterion is multidimensional movements and use of space.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · recall

At both Special Olympics synchro levels the hand holding is optional.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · recall

The rules list Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills, each to be shown equally by all skaters.

Source: ISU Sports Rules, Synchronized Skating (2026) · applied

Facing each other, one goes forward and the other backward, right hand to left and left to right.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · applied

In A the two face each other, one going forward and one backward. B is side by side, C one behind the other, D back to back.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021) · applied