Category: Ice Dance
Subject: Marking guide for Grade of Execution of Required Elements
Source
Definitions
General
Each Judge will mark the quality of execution of every element depending on the positive features of
the execution and errors on the seven Grades of Execution scale: +3, +2, +1, Base Value, -1, -2, -3.
As per Rule 353, paragraphs 1.i), Combination Lifts are evaluated as "one unit".
The guidelines for marking GOEs are published and updated in ISU Communications.
Rule 504, § 1.c)
Marking
The Grade of Execution of a Required Elements is determined by selecting the grade which applies
for the average value of the Characteristics of Grade of Execution. This grade is further adjusted, if
necessary, according to the Adjustments to Grades of Execution.
Communication
1937
File name:
Version:
Date:
ISU ID Handbook for Referees and
Judges_2016_updated_200716
2016
18.06.16
Page 14 of 50
D – Marking guide for Grade of Execution of Required Elements
Category: Ice Dance
Subject:
Marking guide for Grade of Execution of Required Elements
Characteristics of Grade of Execution (source: Communications 1937)
PATTERN DANCE ELEMENTS: CHARACTERISTICS
-3
-2
Quality/correctnes
40%
50%
s of Edges/Steps/
or less clean
clean
Turns for the
Edges/Steps/
Edges/Steps/
whole of Pattern
Turns with
Turns with
Dance Element
many errors
2 major
errors
Depth of Edges
very flat
generally flat
Correct Holds
40%
50%
Correct Pattern
40%
50%
DANCE SPINS: CHARACTERISTICS
-3
-2
Entry/exit
awkward/step
uncoordinated/
out
off balance
Move onto one
delayed
slow
foot
Rotation
very slow
deteriorates
-1
60%
clean
Edges/Steps/
Turns with
1 major error
Base
75%
clean
Edges/Steps/
Turns with
no major error
+1
80%
clean
Edges/Steps/
Turns with
no major error
+2
90%
clean
Edges/Step/
Turns with
no major error
+3
100%
clean
Edges/Step/
Turns
some flats
60%
60%
shallow
75%
75%
good curves
80%
80%
deep
90%
90%
very deep
100%
100%
-1
hesitant/abrupt
Base
controlled
+1
smooth
+2
fluid/with ease
+3
fluid/seamless
not together
simultaneous
prompt
quick/smooth
immediate
variable stability
stable
sustained
fast with ease
very fast
flawless
extra push by
one partner
uncoordinated/
slow transition
hesitant
controlled
labored
controlled
controlled and
quick
brief by both,
distinct
quick, with
ease
brief and
smooth
very fast
seamless
seamless
-2
Fumbling
struggling
-1
hesitant/abrupt
much effort
Base
sure/solid
some effort
+1
smooth
little effort
+2
flowing
with ease
lose balance
Unstable
variable
stable
sure
confident
+3
seamless
floating,
effortless
relaxed/bold
awkward
awkward/
very slow
both curves very
flat and too short
Discontinuous
unstable,
scraped turns
both curves
flat and not
equal
labored
discontinuous,
weak turns
one curve flat or
one is too short
controlled
continuous
smooth
smooth
similar shallow
curves
curves equal
and fairly deep
flowing
flowing and
fast
curves equal
and deep
effortless
flowing and
very fast
curves equal
and very deep
-1
abrupt
Base
sure/stable
+2
with ease
+3
seamless
variable stability,
1-2 Tws scraped
continues,
stable
+1
sure and
smooth
continues ,
smooth
continues,
flowing
seamless,
flawless
labored/variable
sure/clean
smooth/neat
very good and
stylish
clever and
exquisite
Spacing between
completely
variable
little variation
partners
uncontrolled
STEP SEQUENCES (ALSO APPLICABLE TO PARTIAL STEP SEQUENCE): CHARACTERISTICS
-3
-2
-1
Base
Edges/sureness
very flat and
generally flat
some flats and
shallow but
shaky
and hesitant
variable stability
stable
Speed and flow
struggling,
deteriorates or
inconsistent/
some speed
labored, forced
limited
variable
and some flow
consistent
consistent and
close
consistent and
very close
+1
good curves,
secure
good speed
with variable
flow
+2
strong,
confident
considerable
speed and
constant flow
Partner balance
Footwork/Turns
both very poor
on two feet or
toe-pushing or
jumped,
awkward
+3
deep and
quiet, bold
considerable
speed
achieved
effortlessly and
fluidly
both excellent
clean and
effortless
Spacing between
partners (Not
Touching)
Uncontrolled
If any:
Change of foot
Change of pose
extra push by
both partners
awkward, very
poor
DANCE LIFTS: CHARACTERISTICS
-3
Entry/exit
shaky/dropped
Ascent/descent
very brief
Stability
If any:
Change of pose
Rotation technique
Change of curve
SET OF TWIZZLES: CHARACTERISTICS
-3
Entry/Exit
awkward/
off balance
Turns
unstable,
struggling
Connecting
steps/footwork
File name:
Version:
Date:
completely
uncontrolled
-2
hesitant/
lacks control
unstable,
3-4 Tws
scraped
some lack of
control and
wide stepping
Deteriorates
both poor
wide stepping
or one on two
feet or toepushing or
skidded
deteriorates
ISU ID Handbook for Referees and
Judges_2016_updated_200716
2016
18.06.16
unequal
Variable or
forced
differ slightly
generally
correct
both good
clean
both very good
clean and neat
variable
little variation
controlled
consistent and
close
consistent and
very close with
ease
Page 15 of 50
D – Marking guide for Grade of Execution of
Required Elements
Category: Ice Dance
Subject:
Marking guide for Grade of Execution of Required Elements
Characteristics of Grade of Execution (source: Communications 1937)
Choreographic Elements: Characteristics
Phrasing
Rhythm
Character
-3
Not on the
phrase
-2
Not on the
phrase
-1
Not on the
phrase
Base
Fits the phrase
+1
Fits the phrase
+2
Fits the phrase
+3
Fits the phrase
Does not fit
reflects beat,
tempo,
structure and
emphasis in the
music
No relation to
choreography
Does not fit
reflects beat,
tempo, structure
and emphasis in
the music
Partly reflects
beat, tempo,
structure and
emphasis in the
music
Generally
reflects beat,
tempo, structure
and emphasis in
the music
Reflects beat,
tempo, structure
and emphasis in
the music
Fully fits beat,
tempo,
structure and
emphasis in the
music
Fully fits Reflects
beat, tempo,
structure and
nuances in the
music
No relation to
character of
choreography
Ordinary
Appropriate to
character of
choreography
Ordinary
Appropriate to
character of
choreography
Original
Completely in
character of
choreography
Original,
innovative.
creative
Completely in
character of
choreography
Original,
innovative,
creative,
memorable
Originality
Ordinary
No relation to
character of
choreography
Ordinary
Execution
Awkward,
uncontrolled,
Shaky,
unstable,
Labored ,
hesitant
Controlled,
stable
Smooth,
Sure
Fluid,
confident
Effortless
Many
1 Major/several
Minor
1 Minor
None
None
None
None
Errors
File name:
Version:
Date:
ISU ID Handbook for Referees and
Judges_2016_updated_200716
2016
18.06.16
Page 16 of 50
D – Marking guide for Grade of Execution of
Required Elements
Category: Ice Dance
Subject:
Marking guide for Grade of Execution of Required Elements
Adjustments to Grade of Execution (source: Communications 2003)
PATTERN DANCE ELEMENTS: ADJUSTMENTS
No higher
than:
Not started on the prescribed beat (for each Pattern Dance Element)
Not holding Edges/Steps for required number of beats for one or both partners:
 from one Edge/Step up to 10% of Steps of the Pattern Dance Element
 for more than 10% and up to 25% of Steps of the Pattern Dance Element
 for more than 25% of Steps of the Pattern Dance Element
Pattern Dance Element missed through interruption of up to ¼ element
ADJUSTMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL REQUIRED ELEMENTS
(EXCEPT PATTERN DANCE ELEMENTS)
Poses or moves awkward or not aesthetically pleasing
Element does not reflect the character of the chosen dance
Element does not fit or is not skated to the phrasing/Rhythm pattern of the music
Body lines and pose of both partners beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
Entry or exit is unexpected
Element is creative and enhances the choreography/character of the chosen dance
Element fits and is skated to the phrasing/Rhythm pattern of the music
Speed of rotations and/or across the ice maintained or accelerated during the Element
DANCE SPINS: ADJUSTMENTS
Not on spot (travelling):
 in one part of Combination Spin or one direction of Spin Option 2
 in Spin Option 1, both parts of Combination Spin or both directions of Spin Option 2
Re-centers completely except Dance Spin with different directions of rotation (Option 2)
Change of feet not simultaneous (Combination Spin)
Creative entry and/or exit
DANCE LIFTS: ADJUSTMENTS
Creative entry and /or exit
SETS OF TWIZZLES: ADJUSTMENTS
Execution not simultaneous:
 one Twizzle
 two Twizzles
Execution of Turn incorrect: (linked Three Turns, Pirouettes):
 one Twizzle incorrect
 two or more Twizzles incorrect
Generally more than two arm length apart or partners touch each other
STEP SEQUENCES (ALSO APPLICABLE TO PARTIAL STEP SEQUENCE): ADJUSTMENTS
File name:
Version:
Date:
ISU ID Handbook for Referees and
Judges_2016_updated_200716
2016
18.06.16
Increase by:
1 grade
+1
0
-1
-1
No higher
than:
Reduce by:
Increase by:
1 grade
1 grade
-1
No higher
than:
Reduce by:
1 grade
1 grade
1 grade
1 grade
1 grade
Increase by:
1 grade
-1
-1
-1
No higher
than:
Reduce by:
1 grade
Increase by:
No higher
than:
Reduce by:
1 grade
Increase by:
1 grade
-1
1 grade
-1
No higher
than:
Not started on the prescribed beat or not skated for an exact number of phrases
(applicable to Partial Step Sequence only)
Pattern/placement incorrect or incomplete
Generally more than two arms length between partners or partners touch each other (NtSt)
Inclusion of Not Permitted Element (per each)
Separation to change a Hold exceeds one measure of music (not applicable to Partial Step Sequence)
Sustained Hand-in-Hand Hold with fully extended arms (Step Sequence in Hold)
Lack of flow (movement across the ice)
Second Step Sequence (Free Dance) performed at an obviously different skating tempo than first
Step Sequence
Creative use of a variety of Steps/Movements and Holds (Step Sequence in Hold)
LOSSES OF BALANCE, STUMBLES AND FALLS
Loss of Balance by one partner
Loss of Balance by both partners
Stumble by one partner
Stumble by both partners
Fall by one partner
Fall by both partners
Reduce by:
1 grade
Reduce by:
Increase by:
1 grade
1 grade
1 grade
2 grades
1 grade
1 grade
-1
1 grade
1 grade
No higher
than:
Reduce by:
1 grade
0
0
-1
-2
-3
Page 17 of 50
D – Marking guide for Grade of Execution of
Required Elements