Contents
Profile
Free skate in figure skating
- Sport
- Figure skating
- Segment
- second competition segment
- Duration
- approx. 4 min (seniors)
- Jump elements
- up to 7 (singles)
- Before
- Short program
The big performance
After the short program comes the free skate, internationally called free skating. It is longer, earns more points and usually decides the medals. For seniors, the free skate lasts about four minutes; since an ISU reform this applies equally to women and men.
Elements
In the free skate, skaters have more freedom than in the short program, but there are upper limits. In singles these include:
- up to seven jump elements, at least one of which must be an Axel,
- at most three jump combinations or sequences,
- spins of various kinds,
- a step sequence and a choreographic sequence, in which creativity counts more than difficulty.
The ISU sets the exact numbers in its rules and adjusts them from time to time.
The Zayak rule
One well-known restriction is the Zayak rule, named after American Elaine Zayak. In 1982 she performed a free skate with many identical triple jumps. Since then, triple and quadruple jumps of the same type may be performed at most twice, and only one of them as a solo jump. This forces skaters to put together a varied program.
Scoring
As in the short program, the score is made up of the technical score and the program components. The components are weighted more heavily in the free skate. Each element receives a GOE. The free skate points are added to the short program points. More in judging system.
Stamina and strategy
Four minutes of jumps, spins and steps are physically very demanding. Skaters therefore distribute their jumps strategically. Some do the hardest jumps at the beginning, when they are fresh; others save elements for the end. Skaters trailing after the short program often take more risks in the free skate.
Starting order
In the free skate, skaters start in reverse order of the short program, divided into groups. The top six skate in the last group. This keeps the tension high until the end. Then the final result is known, and the victory ceremony follows.
Free skate in pairs and ice dance
Pair skating also has a free skate, with lifts, throws and death spirals. In ice dance, the second segment is called the free dance and has no jumps.
Costumes and music
In the free skate, skaters have a lot of freedom with music and costumes. Music with vocals is allowed. Costumes must comply with the ISU dress code and must not be excessively theatrical.
Frequently asked questions
+How long is the free skate?
About four minutes for seniors.
+What is the Zayak rule?
Triple and quadruple jumps of the same type may be performed at most twice, and only once of those as a solo jump.
Sources & further links
Editorially researched and checked against association and rulebook information. Found a mistake? Write to us via the Contact page.
Read more in the encyclopedia
Term
Short program in figure skating
The short program is the first segment of a singles or pairs figure skating competition. For seniors it lasts around two and a half minutes and contains a fixed number of required elements. Only the best skaters then qualify for the free skate.
Term
Figure skating judging system (IJS, GOE, PCS)
Since 2004, figure skating has been scored under the ISU Judging System (IJS). The total score is made up of the technical score (base value of the elements plus the GOE execution score) and the program components, minus any deductions, for example for falls.
Term
GOE (Grade of Execution)
GOE stands for Grade of Execution, the execution score in figure skating. Judges use it to score every element on a scale from −5 to +5. The GOE changes an element's base value up or down by a percentage.
Term
Figure skating jumps: Axel, Lutz, flip & co.
Figure skating has six basic jumps: toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz and Axel. They differ in the take-off – whether with the help of the toe pick (toe jump) or from the edge (edge jump). The landing is almost always backwards on the right foot (for anticlockwise rotators).
Sport
Figure skating
Figure skating combines athleticism and expression: skaters perform jumps, spins and step sequences to music, which a judging panel scores under the ISU judging system. Olympic disciplines are singles, pair skating, ice dance and the team event.