Judging the Program

With one serious error 10 cannot be given; the maximum for each component is 9.50.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

With two or more serious errors no marks in the 9s are possible: the maximum is 8.75.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Composition first, Presentation next, Skating Skills last, to keep focus off difficult elements.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

The order removes the unintentional focus on the execution of difficult elements.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Judge only what you see and not what you expect to see, and recognise each criterion during the program.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

The top category is 10, outstanding, with no errors; 9.75 is excellent with no serious errors.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Each numeric range is defined by an adjective, expressing how far each criterion is demonstrated.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

How it was built, how it was performed on the day, then the quality of the skating.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · applied

Two or more serious errors cap at 8.75, one at 9.50, and only a program with no errors may reach 10.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

C, 10.00, is above the 9.50 cap for one serious error. 9.50, 9.25 and 8.75 are all possible.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

Skating well starts from the blade-ice relationship: gliding on precise edges in balance, without friction.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Gliding on long, deep edges is more difficult than on short, flat edges.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Flow is the whole body moving smoothly and effortlessly, starting from a fluid knee-ankle action.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Power and speed is the ability to display energy and gain speed stepping from one foot to the other.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Edges must be precise from the moment the blade touches the ice; clarity is quality and precision.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Variety is diversity of edges, steps, turns, body movements and directions: forwards, backwards, both ways round.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Speed is maintained through balance, control and the lack of friction of the blade on the ice.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · recall

Variety, clarity, balance and glide, flow, then power and speed.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · applied

Flow starts from the knee and ankle, carries through the body and links one movement to the next.

Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023) · applied

Two falls rule out every mark in the 9s, so 9.00 cannot be given; the other three cards stay at 8.75 or less.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied