Rules & Resources - Ice & Solo Dance

ICE DANCE & SOLO DANCE: RULES & RESOURCES

U.S. Figure Skating provides marking guides for competition events. This page includes the latest updates and clarifications to support athletes and coaches in competition.

ICE DANCE SKATING

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

8/21/25 - An updated version of ISU Communication No. 2716 was posted.

8/18/25 - The 2025-26 Judging Reminders for Ice Dance were updated.

8/12/25 - An updated version of ISU Communication No. 2704 was posted.

7/9/25 - The 2025-26 Ice Dance Calling Clarifications for Novice and Below and the Partial Synchronized Twizzle Calling Specifications were posted.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates skate hand in hand. Madison is a young woman with long black hair wearing a copper and green dress inspired by the statue of liberty and Evan is a young man with short curly blonde hair wearing a button down black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.

ISU Communication #2716 - Ice Dance - Calling Specifications and Levels of Difficulty 2025-26 (PDF, updated version posted 8/21/25)
This replaces ISU Communication #2646.
ISU Communication #2705 - Ice Dance - Scale of Values 2025-26 (PDF, posted 6/3/25)
This replaces ISU Communication #2647.
ISU Communication #2704 - Ice Dance - Requirements for Technical Rules & Marking Guides 2025-26 (PDF, posted 8/12/25)
This replaces ISU Communication #2630.
ISU Communication #2698 - Ice Dance - Music Requirements (PDF, posted 4/9/25)
How Should the Referee Check the Duration of a Lift (PDF, 7/25/19)
2025-26 Scale of Values (ISU Communication #2705) (PDF, posted 6/3/25)
Pattern Dance Scale of Values with Sequences/Sections (No Key Points) (PDF, 5/13/19)
2025-26 Ice Dance Deductions for Novice and Below and Adult (PDF, 6/3/25)
2025-26 Ice Dance Deductions for Junior and Senior (PDF, 6/3/25)
Ice Dance Deductions for U.S. Figure Skating 6.0 Events (PDF, 7/8/24)
2025-26 ISU Calling Specifications and Levels of Difficulty (ISU Communication #2716) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)
2025-26 Ice Dance Calling Clarifications for Novice and Below (PDF, 7/9/25)
2025-26 Pattern Dance Key Points for Juvenile (Effective May 20, 2025) (PDF, 2/28/25)
2025-26 Pattern Dance Key Points for Intermediate (Effective May 20, 2025) (PDF, 2/28/25)
2025-26 Pattern Dance Key Points for Novice (PDF, 6/3/25)
Partial Synchronized Twizzle Calling Specifications (PDF, 7/9/25)
2025-26 Marking Guide for GOEs for Ice Dance (PDF, posted 8/12/25)
2025-26 Judging Reminders for Ice Dance (PDF, 8/18/25)
Program Component Chart (Pattern Dance) (PDF, 6/3/25)
Program Component Chart (Rhythm Dance and Free Dance) (PDF, 6/3/25)
Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills Charts (PDF, 8/1/24)
Thinking Words for Program Component Scale (PDF, posted 8/21/25)

SOLO DANCE SKATING

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

Check this page regularly during the season for all the information you need to compete in intercollegiate competitions.

Chicago Open Solo Dance in 2024, medals photo on the podium with four skaters

Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Handbook DRAFT (posted 11/4/2025)
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Series Competitions (posted 11/10/2025)
Click Here for 2026 Pattern Dance Selections (posted 10/23/2025)
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Series GOE Marking Guides (posted 10/30/2025)
Click Here for 2025-26 the International Solo Ice Dance Competition General Rules & Requirements
Click Here for the 2025-26 International Solo Ice Dance Competiton Tech Rules & Level Requirements
Click Here for the 'How To Judge Solo Ice Dance' Document.
Click Here for the Solo Dance Series Officials Conflict Of Interest Document
Attention: No formal critiques/feedback may be offered during Solo Dance Series competitions. The Referee and Technical Controller may answer specific questions about deductions and levels.

NATIONAL SOLO DANCE FINAL

The top skaters from each section will be invited to compete at the National Solo Dance Final.

Click Here for the standard schedule of the event.
The 2026 National Solo Dance Final will be held September 16-19, 2026 in Kalamazoo, MI.

Looking for other rule information? Access the Skating Rules and Resources main page here.