The newest discipline of figure skating, synchronized skating is continually on the rise, both in the United States and across the world.

As the discipline continues to grow, learn about what makes synchronized skating unique and how it compares to the other disciplines of figure skating!
 

	Singles, Pairs and Ice Dance	Synchronized
Number of skaters on the ice:	Skaters perform individually or as a pair.	Synchronized skating is a team sport. At the senior level, 16 skaters perform on the ice together.
Elements:	Singles skaters are known for their jumps and spins while pairs includes those elements, plus throws and lifts. Ice dance also includes lifts, twizzles and step sequences.	Synchronized skating incorporates each of the other disciplines, including jumps, spins, lifts and step sequences. Common elements include blocks, pair elements and intersections.
International Season:	The international season begins in the fall and runs through March. Held in October and November, Grand Prix events are the most prestigious events in the fall, and the World Championships are held in the spring.	The international season begins in January and typically ends in April. Challenger Series events are the most notable events on the schedule for synchro before the World Championships.
U.S. Championships:	Junior and senior athletes (and novice pairs and ice dance in 2024) compete at the U.S. Championships.	Nine divisions compete at the U.S. Championships: juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, senior elite 12, collegiate, adult and masters.
Program Themes:	Singles and pairs may choose their own music. In ice dance, the rhythm dance theme is chosen by the ISU (Example: This year, athletes are skating to 1980s music).	Both programs are chosen by the team and often follow a theme (Example: Miami University's senior free skate has a mermaids and sailors theme).
Official Practice:	All skaters from the same group in competition will practice together on the ice, rotating between each skater's music.	During official practice at events, only one team is on the ice at a time, reflecting the skating order of the competition.
Event Crowd:	There is no separation of the crowd by athlete or team.	Each organization tends to have its own section, where its teams of all levels, alumni, friends, family and fans support the team competing, similar to a student section.
Blades:	Singles and pairs blades have a large toe pick and long heal length. Ice dance blades have a small toe pick and small heal length.	Synchro skaters may use the same blades as singles, pairs and ice dance, but there is a synchro blade, which has a larger toe pick with a medium heal length.