What is the Score Impact When Unexpected Problems Occur During the Program?

By Denise Williamson MFS, MM, SFF, CC

We as coaches function as the qualified authority to support our athletes in achieving personal success. Typically, we perform this role via teaching proper technique, patience, consistency, reliability, innovation, emotional support, and so on. Furthermore, we as coaches must be aware of—and prepare our athletes for—how to handle the problems or the unexpected that can occur during competition programs.

I realize that the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook or the ISU Special Regulations and Technical Rules may not be on the top of everyone’s reading list, however, here are some highlights that I would like to bring to your attention. When an occassion arises that your athlete receives a deduction, you may find yourself reviewing the decisions and circumstances that cost them their points.

Rule 1071 C in the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook is where many of the violations are listed for Singles and Pairs. Here are some of the scenarios that can occur:

• What happens when the program duration is too long or short? -0.5 for every five seconds lacking or in excess for no-test, pre-pre, pre, pre-juvenile, juvenile, intermediate and all adult singles and pairs events. -1.0 for novice, junior and senior singles, and pairs events.

• My athlete wants to perform a backflip. Is this allowed? This is an illegal element and will receive a -2.0 deduction. If this is performed during an element, the element cannot be higher than basic (base) if basic level requirements are fulfilled.

• What if my athlete wants to use a prop during their short program or free skating program? -1.0 per program (determined by the Judges Panel including the Referee by the majority of votes with no deduction in case of 50:50 split)

• My athlete showed up to compete in an outfit I have not seen before that gives the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for their discipline! -1.0 per program (Judges Panel including the Referee by the majority of votes with no deduction in case of 50:50 split)

• Oh no, my athlete’s hair ribbon fell onto the ice! -1.0 per program

• My singles skater fell in their program three times!

› -0.25 for every fall in no-test, pre-pre, pre, pre-juvenile, juvenile and adult pre-bronze, bronze, and silver singles events.

› -0.5 for each fall in juvenile, intermediate and novice and adult gold and higher.

› -1.0 for every fall in junior singles events.

› In senior singles events, -1.0 each for the first and second falls, -2.0 each for the third and fourth falls, and -3.0 each for the fifth and any further falls. Ouch!

• The skate lace of my athlete becomes untied during their program, should they approach the referee? (Similar situation if the strap of the pants comes undone) Suggestion is no. Simply stop skating and tie the lace as quickly as possible (or adjust the strap) and continue. A program interruption is defined “as the period of time starting immediately when the competitor stops performing the program or is ordered to do so by the Referee, whichever is earlier, and ending when the competitor resumes his/her/their performance.”

› 11-20 second interruption will be -1.0 for Junior and Senior, -0.5 for juvenile, intermediate, novice and adult bronze and higher, -.25 for no-test, through pre-juvenile and adult pre-bronze.

› 21-30 second interruption will be -2.0 for Junior and Senior, -1.0 for juvenile, intermediate, novice and adult bronze and higher, -0.5 for no-test, through pre-juvenile and adult pre-bronze.

› 31-40 second interruption will be -3.0 for Junior and Senior, -1.5 for juvenile, intermediate, novice and adult bronze and higher, -.75 for no-test, through pre-juvenile and adult pre-bronze.

› After 40 seconds, if the skater/couple has not reported to the event Referee, the competitor(s) is (are) considered withdrawn. (if your athlete gets off the ice and comes to you, their coach, encourage them to quickly to report to the event Referee if the situation allows.)

› For interruption of the program with allowance of up to three minutes to resume from the point of interruption, -3.0 for junior and senior (-5.0 in ISU events!), -1.5 for juvenile, intermediate, novice and adult bronze and higher, -.75 for no-test, through pre-juvenile and adult pre-bronze.

It is also important to advise the athlete regarding the “Call to Start” which is when the name of the competitor/team is called before each performance. This is found in the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook under Rule 1322. For IJS events, all competitors must take the starting position of each segment of the competition no later than 30 seconds after they have been announced. If the position is not taken by 30 seconds, the Referee will deduct 1.0. If the competitor/team has not taken their starting position within 60 seconds, they will be considered withdrawn.

Music problems? A valuable piece of information for a coach to give to their athlete(s) is what to do if the tempo or quality of the music is deficient. This is located under rule 1403. Competitors may restart the program from the beginning if they notify the event Referee of the music issue within 20 seconds after the start. If the competitor(s) reports to the Referee more than 20 seconds after the start, the competitor(s) will resume the program at the point of interruption or, if the interruption occurred at the entrance to or during an element, at the point immediately preceding the element. If for any reason there is an interruption or stop in the music, the competitor must stop skating when they become aware of the problem or at the acoustic signal (the whistle) of the event Referee, whichever is earlier. Back-up music must be readily available at rink side. No deduction will be made by the event referee or judges.

ISI events

Very similar types of deductions are taken for Ice Sports Industry (ISI) competitions and can be found in the ISI Handbook. Something notable is the limitation on the number of maneuver attempts being three Among those three attempts, the best attempt will be judged. If the skater attempts the same maneuver a fourth time, it will not be judged but could count towards the extra content score. Additionally:

• Props are not allowed during ISI Freestyle events. A costume becomes a prop when it is detached or when it is detached and then used by the hands. The penalty for using a handheld prop in the freestyle event is the score of 2.0 under Extra Content.

• If the wrong music is played and the skater stops and notifies the Referee within 20 seconds, the skater may re-skate the program. If the skater forgets their program and then stops and notifies the Referee within 20 seconds, the Referee may allow the skater to start again from the beginning or to pick up where the skater left off.

• Laces coming untied falls under the jurisdiction of the Referee for a decision in ISI competitions.

• Skating duration in ISI events does not take a penalty for skating under the prescribed time. There is a penalty for skating beyond the 10 second leeway. These penalties vary based on the length of time they are over duration and whether they are skating “against the book” or in a group of two or more. It is advisable to read these deductions in the ISI Handbook.

We coaches spend an enormous amount of time with our athletes learning new skills and strategies for a competitive advantage. It is critical to know the violation rules of our sport so that we don’t negatively impact our efforts with unnecessary deductions. Consult the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook, the ISU Special Regulations and Technical Rules, or ISI Handbook whichever is applicable to your athlete’s competition. Good luck!