Competition elements in ice dance

The elements must be performed in specific ways, as described by published communications by the International Skating Union (ISU), unless otherwise specified.The International Skating Union (ISU), the governing body that oversees figure skating, announces the list of required elements in a well-balanced rhythm dance program and free dance program, and each element's specific requirements, each year.Not-touching step sequences must include matching and/or mirror footwork; both ice dancers must skate as close to each other as possible, not more than two arm lengths apart, without touching, except when they are skating turns and edges in opposite directions for short distances.The dancers can switch from mirror to matching footwork, and vice versa, and they can cross each other's tracings (marks made on the ice by the skates).[9] The second group (Group B) includes curved step sequences: circular, which can be skated in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and must use the ice surface's full width; and serpentine, which can commence in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and "progresses in three bold curves or in two bold curves (S-Shaped) and ends at the Long Axis of the opposite end of the rink, with the pattern utilizing the full width of the ice surface".Specific requirements for turn sequences are announced in an ISU communication each year.The ISU states that for each type, each twizzle "shall be at least one full rotation on one foot performed simultaneously (at the same time) by both partners".[17] In their free dances, both senior and junior ice dancers can choose to include up to three choreographic elements.[20] The first part must be executed simultaneously, have at least two continuous rotations, and both partners must travel, or as the ISU puts it, "cannot be on the spot".If the partners perform controlled sliding on two knees or any other part of the body, it will not be counted as a fall or illegal element, but if the partners finish the movement as a stop or by sitting or lying on the ice, it will be considered a fall or illegal movement.
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani performing a twizzle , a required element in ice dance
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron perform a curve lift
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir perform part of a step sequence during a short program
Kristina Gorshkova and Vitali Butikov perform a twizzle
Alisa Agafonova and Alper Uçar perform a hydroblade , a choreographic element in ice dance
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