Figure Skating

Practicing new skills? That's fun, but it can also be somewhat painful because of repetitive falls. Below are 12 figure skating protective gears to consider wearing for practice : padded shorts, crash pads, headband, sleeves... to protect the most impacted body parts. Skate safe!

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).

Why wear figure skating protective gear?

Ice skating offers lots of health and mental benefits. But it is also balancing on a thin blade on ice... falls are bound to happen.

Like a dancer, a figure skater pays attention to his/her looks, even at practice.
But considering the quantity of falls as you try mastering a new skill to reach a new level, I say let's forget vanity and wear protective gear over your training clothes!

Products have been developed specially to protect body parts that are the most at risk for figure skaters:

• the hips
• the tailbone
• the knees
• the hands
• the feet
• the head

Protection will help against:

• serious injury
• long-term issues due to repetitive injury (even small ones)
• counter-performance because of pain

Of course, protections does not mean you don't need good warm-up and focus. But they complement them.

Below are some of the best pads and and sleeves to protect yourself or your kid.

Practice - Figure skating padded shorts and clothes

Let start with some of the classic padded clothes that will protect you or your kid during the practice of skills.

Figure skating padded shorts / butt pads

Wearing a padded lycra short above tights or leggings when practicing new jumps is ideal.
It does not look sexy, agreed.
But the skater feels so much better after the training session!
It reduces the bruises and potential micro-fissure on the hip and tail bones.

Figure skating padded gloves

You often use your hands to stop a fall. They hit hard on the ice.
A solution to protect them are the padded gloves.
They keep your hands warm (like regular ice skating gloves) while protecting the most vulnerable areas of the palm with 3 pads.
Plus the material is water resistant to avoid having wet hands during practice.

Figure skating knee pads

When jumping, falls will mostly be on the side and butt, impacting the hips and tailbone. Hence the short above.
But for other moves, you may end up on your knees.
The following are made for volley-ball players who fall hard on their knees many times during a match. So, if you are practicing a special skill (or your kid) and noticing a repetitive fall on the knees, make sure to wear padded knee sleeves.

Figure skating crash pads to protect body parts

Next stops are the pads you can place inside your clothes to protect those areas.

• Some prefer the clothes I listed above because they hold themselves up and come back in place whatever movements you make.
• Some prefer the figure skating pads below, because they have control on where to place them

Figure skating hip pads

The most commonly used figure skating crash pads are the hip pads.
Made of rubber, they impact the force during the contact with the ice.
They are thick, but this is how they protect you!
Don't forget to buy one for each hip 🙂

Figure skating Tail pad

Next are the tailbone pads. It is a same concept except it is a butt pad.
Tail bone injuries are painful and last quite long, because you are always impacting the bone when you sit. So, it is a very important area to protect.
Made of rubber, it impacts the force during the contact with the ice.
It is thick, but this is how it protects you!

Next, we look at the protective gears to protect your feet.

Figure skater feet protective equipment

We have been talking about falling a lot.
But even if you are just skating, there is an area of your body that gets many demands: the feet.
Let's face it: figure skating boots are not made to be comfortable. They try to be as much as possible, but you still need something that holds your feet and ankle well so that you can balance on a thin blade.

Friction and pressure can create bunions, tendonitis, cuts, blisters and other feet injuries.
Let's have a look at what you can wear to protect them.

Ankle and Malleolar sleeves and gel discs

For friction, some of the worst areas are the Malleolar (since they protrude) and the ankle (at the limit of the boot).
I was lucky to not have malleolar problems, but I still have a strong memory of a friend training with me with a horrible problem there that just would not go away
It that case, a gel disc or a sleeve, can help widen the area of friction and limit the injury.

The ankle, I can relate on. Especially at the beginning of the season, when you have had a break from wearing figure skates or when you are breaking new boots. Those sleeves will protect ankles from rubbing, friction, and chafing from stiff boots.

Achille Heel Pads

Another area of the feet that can get injured is the Achille heel.
Before you buy these, make sure the issue is not coming from skates that are too big. The best protection you can have for your feet are skates with a proper fit.
However, if fit is not the problem, a sleeve can reduce the friction and protect the area around the Achille Heel.
However, if you have tendonitis, make sure to discuss with a doctor and rest your feet.

Toes & Bunions

The toes of figure skaters are not as bad as the toes of ballerinas. After all, you are taking balance from your whole foot, not just your toes.
However, friction and bad socks can have an impact on the toe area with blisters and bunions.
Gels and sleeves can help protect or spread the friction area to limit injuries.

And find out more ways to protect yourself at the end of the article.

Beginner kid - Ice skating protective gear (helmets and pads)

Now, if you are on this article for a beginner kid, the options above (except for the butt pads), may be too advanced.
At the beginning, many parents opt for:

• a helmet
• knee pads
• elbow pads
• wrist protections

Other essential ways to protect the skater from injury

However, wearing protective gear is not the only way to protect yourself or your kid from injury.
Other elements of figure skating training are essentials to reduce the risk of falls and reduce the injury in case of falling:

• if the muscles are flexible
• if the muscles can hold you 
• if the tendons are strong enough

The 4 main activities are:

• Warming-up before training - for your muscles and tendons to be ready before any high impact training, it is essential to warm them up progressively. Work out a plan with a coach
• Stretching after practice - skaters are normally good with warm-up but stretching after if often overlooked. Skaters are in a hurry to get home or get to school, it is thought that there is not enough time. But stretching your body after intense practice is essential for the health of your muscles and tendons
• Building core strength outside the rink - time on the ice is limited, therefore it is essential to build the skater's body outside of ice practice - especially working on core muscles that will allow better control over jumps and spins, thus reducing falls. check out my article with what to work on off the ice and my other article on the best off ice training equipment.
• Finally, a good balanced diet will keep your muscles, tendons and bones in good condition and more prepared to handle brutal shocks

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Ready for a new program? But here is the question: what will you skate on? Below are my tips to choose the best figure skating song for you as well as rules and suggestions to find figure skating music ideas.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).

Rules about short and long program musics

A big change in rules in 2014

Since its Olympic debuts at the 1908 Summer London Olympic Games, figure skating rules have only allowed non lyrical music to be used.
However a huge change happened recently in 2014 when the ISU (International Skating Union) announced that lyrics would be allowed to play during competitions.

Opinions have varied. Some skaters stick with tradition while other embrace the opportunities it brings.
Personally, I would not skate to music with lyrics because it would be too difficult not to sing along 🙂

The current rules about music for figure skating programs

Basically, the current rules that you should have in mind regarding music are the following (from the ISU regulation, but flowing to National regulations):

• All program must be skated to music (rule 243)
• All competitors shall furnish competition music of excellent format on CD or in any other approved format (rule 243)
• Competitors must provide a back-up drive for each program (rule 243)
• The certified length of the music for each program must be submitted at the time of registration (rule 243)
• Regarding ISU championships, titles of music and name of composer shall be submitted (Rule 379)
• The program shall be skated in harmony with the music chosen by the Competitor. The music is chosen by each Competitor, vocal music with lyrics is permitted; (Rule 611, 612, 620, 621, 709, 710)

Scoring related to music 

In the description of the components to establish the Program component score, it includes:

• "Involvement of the Skater/Pair/Couple physically, emotionally and intellectually as they deliver the intent of the music and composition"
• Expression of the music’s character / feeling and rhythm, when clearly identifiable
• Use of finesse to reflect the details and nuances of the music
• Relationship between the Skaters reflecting the character and rhythm of the music
• And extra for ice dance: "Skating primarily to the rhythmic beat for Rhythm Dance and keeping a good balance between skating to the beat and melody in the Free Dance"

Special ice dance rules

Rules are more stringent with regards to ice dance, because of the dancing element of the performance. 

• Regarding the Rhythm dance (rule 709) - must have an audible rhythmic beat, and must be in accordance with the designated rhythm selected for the season
• Regarding the free dance (rules 710) - must have an audible rhythmic beat, must have at least one change of tempo and expression, edited to create an "interesting, colorful, entertaining dance program with different moods or a building effect"

Can you choose any music? How about the licensing and artist rights?

You don't have to care about that. Just pick a music you like.

The test and competitions are live events, no permission is required.
The rinks and/or clubs are responsible to purchasing a license that allows them to diffuse all music in a public forum (different licenses for free and paying events). It covers the copyright laws about "the right of public performance".
The license includes reporting criteria.

Discover over 70 million songs on Amazon Music Unlimited - Get your free trial!

Best figure skating songs for you - 7 criteria to consider

#1 - Impact of the music on the skater

The most important thing, is that the skater 

• enjoys the beat
• is transported by the music

Nobody enjoys watching someone who does not enjoy the music and is just moving in rhythm to it.
If you can conjure emotion as you listen to it and you can put it into your performance, then it will show and make a difference to your score.

The skaters should close their eyes or start dancing imagining a potential choreography. Do movements come naturally?

#2 - Lyrics or no lyrics?

So, as I wrote earlier, lyrics are now allowed (though maybe some local regulations might still be behind, check the rules in your country).
That does not mean you have to have lyrics.

Pros of staying with instrumental figure skating music:

• The audience focuses more on the dance without lyrics. Otherwise, the listening takes the audience away from the watching
• Without lyrics you are free to interpret the music. However, with a song, the story has already been written and you have to interpret that story, otherwise it would look strange

Pros of skating to lyrics:

• Can be a crowd pleaser, chanting along your song
• Increase the number of options for music

However, if you choose a song with lyrics, don't be too literal. Don't skate only to the words but listen more in depth to the nuances in the music.

#3 - Age / skill suitability

The capacity to trigger emotion in the skater should always be the priority in my opinion.
However, within that, it is better to choose a music suitable for the skater's age.

• You don't want to big of a gap between the intensity of the music and the emotional depth of a child - he/she will be over-powered by the music
• And at the other end, you don't want an easy superficial music for a teen or young adult who can portray deeper emotions - the program will be boring

It must also be adapted to the skills of the skater:

• Don't choose a very fast tempo if the skater is not quick in his/her movements - it should be adapted to the figure skating level
• If his/her arabesques are beautiful, choose a piece with long notes to highlight them
• ...

#4 - The judge age gap

This is a controversial criterion.
Should you take into account what should please judges, who are generally quite older than the skaters?

Some say yes, that it gives you an advantage, it creates empathy from the judges.
Some say no, a well interpreted program should be loved anyway by the judges.
But judges are only humans.

When I was skating competitively, I had a music style that really suited me and my skating style. I was really moved by Yiddish and tzigane musics. They transmit very powerful emotions. I have always connected to them (despite having no specific connection to those communities).
Just before my last season, a judge came to my parents and said she was tired of seeing me perform on those musics. That she did not enjoy them and that I should try something else.
So I went to a completely different style: Grease. It was a not a success. Many other judges told me it was not a good choice, despite the program being technically good. Part of it was because it was too simple for my age and part of it because I could not use my capacity to express strong emotion. So, I had to create another program for the season. Lesson learnt.

#5 - Choreography / story opportunity

Listen to the music and imagine the choreography.
Does it have changes and rhythms of moods that would create good choreographic moments that suit your skill.
Can you imagine specific moves you love fitting perfectly at a moment in the song?

Can you hear some discreet elements of the music that your moves could highlight? This would give depth to your performance.
Are there nuances behind the main tempo that you could interpret with part of your body? Again, this would give depth to your performance.

And does it tell a story to you?
Imagining a story can help display emotions better and adapt the choreography.

#6 - Edit-ability of the music

Another point that may be more difficult to consider when listening first to a music is the ability to edit it to the correct length.
Depending on the skater's level, programs last from 1min to 4min30. It can be a difficult trick to create such a short version.

For something easier to edit, choose a music with natural pauses, where the phrases or the lyrics stop or with distinct rhythm changes.

#7 - Don't copy

At high level, you don't want to create a program on a music that is the same as another iconic program e.g. the Ravel Bolero from Torvill and Dean.

At regional / national level, make sure you don't use the music a direct competitor used the season before. People will want to compare both of them, instead of totally focussing on your program. This is a natural reaction.

Other than that, it is normal to have cycle and see musics come back.
And above all, it is important to enjoy the music. So, this should always take precedence.

Note: keep your choice to yourself

If before the season, you already have ideas, only discuss it with your coach.
Don't share too much with other skaters, as people are quick to take the idea as if it is their own. Sometimes not even realizing they are "stealing" the idea. Friendships have been strained because of that.

Where to find figure skating music ideas

OK. Now that you have all the criteria to keep in mind when listening to music, where should you find ideas... There is a lot of music out there!

Always keep a list

With phones nowadays, it is easy to take notes any time you want.
So, right now, open a list on yours called "figure skating ideas".
And any time throughout the year, as soon as you hear a music you / your kid enjoy, take note of it.
You can use an app like Shazam to learn the title and composer / singer.

Discuss with your coach

For younger children, the coach can be a great help, if there is a good relationship.
Coaches have seen many programs, they have a large database of music ideas. They can at least guide you / your child.
However from 9 or 10 years old onwards, the final choice should definitively come from the kid.

Listen to radio stations you are not familiar with

If you always listen to the same radio station, you will hear the same music.
Just change the frequency and listen to what pops up.

Watch old / foreign skating programs

YouTube is full of skating program of all levels.
You can see archives of old programs or programs of national level skaters in other countries.
This can give you ideas.

Movie soundtracks / Broadway songs for figure skating

Watch older movies and older broadway play and pay attention to the soundtracks.
You can find beautiful musics that are often overlooked!

Find music experts

There are clubs and music schools or shops where group of music afficionados gather. Go ask them. 
Tell them what type of music and tempo you are looking for, and they will make you discover all kinds of music you never knew existed.

This is how I have found a few of my musics. Someone who had a passion for music and understood my style.

Editing your figure skating program music 

Once the music or musics are chosen, it is time to edit and reduce to the program length.

Program lengths (US)

Below are the lengths to respect. Times must be respected plus or minus 10s.

• Pre-Juvenile - Free = 2:00min
• Juvenile - Free = 2:15min
• Intermediate - short = 2:00min / Free = 2:30min
• Novice - short = 2:30 min / Free = 3:30min (male); 3:00min (female); 3:30 (pair / dance); 3:00 (dance)
• Junior - short = 2:40min; Rhythm (dance): 2:50min / Free = 4:00min (male); 3:30min (female); 4:00min (pair); 3:30 (dance)
•  Senior - short = 2:40min; Rhythm (dance): 2:50min / Free = 4:30min (male); 4:00min (female); 4:30min (pair); 4:00 (dance)

How to edit

3 options to edit your music:

• Normally all rink environments have someone used to editing the music - the coach, a former skater or relative... Ask your coach
• Hire a professional music editor (company or solo) - I saw this website with someone who specializes in figure skating (but I can't recommend or not as I don't know him at all, I just noticed the website).
• Learn to do it yourself - it is always fun to learn a new skill, and you can create exactly what you want - Free software such as Audacity, Ocenaudio or priced software such as Adobe Audition if you have the adobe suite of products...

Tips

• Learn how to properly edit music - there are many tutorials on the Internet, take advantage on them!
• Make sure the start of the music is loud enough not to be missed, but not so loud that it startles everyone
• For more beginner skaters, a gradually increasing tempo can be a good idea, when possible (if the skater misses the beginning of a fast music, it can be hard to catch up
• Some include a beep a second or two before the music start
• Control how loud the music is, especially when changing song or tracks
• Be really sure you do not exceed the rule for length - the limit is +/- 10 seconds, not one second more - don't think you can get away with it.
• Avoid long silent sections (the judges may think there is an issue with the music)
• Be careful with your transitions - make sure they blend well
• Never forget your music for competitions - check out my competition checklists

Most popular figure skating musics

Popular songs are not a bad choice, especially for a beginner level.
Just be aware that someone else might have the same music as you during the competition.

However, as the skater get into more advanced levels, originality is better.

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Let's discuss the criteria to choose the best figure skating tights or leggings for you: shape, material, color... For competition or practice, there is a large choice of ice skating tights and leggings. Below are my tips to help you choose the best ones for your needs, and how to take care of them.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).

Best figure skating tights & leggings - competition & training

Tights and leggings are an essential part of the figure skater outfits. Let's have a look at the main criteria to consider and some of the top products.

Best figure skating tights for competition

The most important criteria to choose tights for competition are:

• Texture and color - the aspect of the leg on the ice is often the most important aspect for competition - you want the legs to look beautiful
• Overboot / footed - the other important aspect of your competition costume is the use of boot covers or not. Tights with over boot covers make legs look longer.
• Comfortable - they should not be annoying during any movement
• Note: make sure to check how to take care of your tights, at the end of this article.

So, here are my top choices for competition:

Best figure skating leggings and tights for training

The most important criteria to choose tights or leggings for training are:

• Warmth - training is longer that competition and you want to keep warm. They are often thicker.
• Durability - they are being used, washed and reused many times, so you want something that can resist.
• Design - you can often express more freely your personality at practice with your leggings.
• Comfortable

So, here are my top choices for practice:

And my collection of fun leggings on the ice skating theme: for figure skaters and synchronized skaters

Don't miss the tips to take care of them at the end of the article!

Notes on plus size and dark skins tights

Let's be honest. Figure skating is sadly not the most inclusive sport there is.

When they create darker colors of tights, they tend to be more orangy.
There is starting to be movement to have more shades of skin, but progress is limited.
However for competition, you can buy normal pantyhose made of dark skin. They are not made for ice skating, but if you don't take something too thin, it should be good.

Same thing for plus size skaters, the current solution is to purchase classic tights or dance tights (some are developing plus size ranges). But they will be thin too.

Why should you wear tights as a figure skater?

To better choose a pair of tights or leggings, one must first understand why figure skaters wear tights

1. To keep warm without hindering the movement

Well, that seems obvious but let's still state the fact: ice rinks are cold. You want to wear something on your legs to keep them warm.
However, you don't want to wear pants that would be bulky and maybe stiff. You want warmth but at the same time, something which will maintain your agility.

2. To protect your legs in case of falls

Well, figure skaters tend to fall a lot. Especially at practice when repeating news skills such as jumps or spins.
So you want something that protects a minimum against the impact and friction with the ice.
Plus you want a material that does not absorb too much the water, because it would get cold and be really uncomfortable.

3. For appearance

Finally, you want to wear something on the legs that is pretty and shows the beautiful lines created. It creates uniformity on the legs.
Something that does not hide the movements made by the legs.
Especially in competition, they can complement the costume for an overall impression.

Criteria to choose ice skating tights

The questions to ask yourself

• Will the tights be used in competition or at practice? 
• How often with they be used?
• Is the rink very cold or kind of warm? Yes, there are differences. I remember one rink where I had a yearly competition and we all had to wear 3 pairs of tights because it was so cold!!!
• What is my style?
• What will I wear with it - some wear just leggings, some have shorts over them, or a leotard with a small skirt...?

Your answers will help you choose the right tights for you based on the following criteria.

Color, thickness and texture

• Figure skating tights are traditionally in skin color tones (though sometimes awkward orangy colors) - it is often not very easy to find a color that does not clash with the color of your arms and face, but it is getting better, I think.
• You can find different textures that will catch the light in different ways and create different styles: smooth, sleek, transparent, with shimmer or thicker, matt, high shine... Some look more elegant while other blend better with your skin tone. The trends vary. Just choose what you prefer.
• The thicker ones are often preferred for practice. They are normally matt.
• You can find designs with rhinestones, but always read the comments to make sure they are well attached - you don't want them to drop on the ice and make someone fall!
• However, practice leggings come in a variety of colors and designs

Material

You want the fabric to be

• stretchable,
• breathable (to allow sweat to pass through),
• drying fast (in case your fall),
• holding the shape around your leg (no sagging)

There are several materials used to manufacture figure skating tights:

• nylon, polymer allowing for very thin garments
• micro-fibers - they are considered high performance fibers for sport clothes (medium thickness)
• bamboo - natural fiber, very breathable fabric (thicker tights)

To those, spandex, lycra or elastane are added, for their flexibility, elasticity and strength.

Design: Footed / Footless / Over the boot

You can find 3 different types of designs for figure skating tights:

• Footless Design - often preferred for practice
  + you can choose your socks to wear in the skating boot, or to go barefoot
  + more resistant than the footed ones because they are less stretched by the foot movements and don't have friction in the boot
• Footed tights - classic tights with a foot included
  + no need for socks
  + no seam at the ankle level where the boot rubs your skin the most
• Over the boot tights - they attach under the boot with Velcro or hooks
  + create a beautiful line with the leg with one color, elongate the skater
  + protect your skating book from scratches (like boot covers, but looking less heavy)

There is no perfect option. There are trends. When I was skating competitively, over the boot were in fashion.
Just choose what you feel the most comfortable with what you find the most pleasant to look at.

Quality / brand / price

The 2 most famous brands for ice skating tights: Mondor and Capezio.
But they can become expensive for training.
Other good brands are also developing and trying to crack the market such as ChloeNoel (skating focus) and Body Wrappers (coming from dance)...

Make sure to read reviews for durability. But otherwise, this is your choice in terms of what you feel more comfortable in.

Tights can be expensive, especially if you wear them in training. This is why I recommend leggings for practice, as they will last longer.

For competitions, always bring back ups.

Best tights for figure skating competition

What you want for competition tights

Well, the 2 main things you are looking for in competition tights are: COMFORT and APPEARANCE.
You need tights that:

• don't annoy during any movements
• make your leg look beautiful (length, color of your skin, over the boot or not, embellishment)
• look good with your costume

Below are some good classic choices to consider if they fit your need.

Review of Mondor Classic figure skating tights over the boot

Review of ChloeNoel over the boot figure skating tights

Review of Mondor classic footed tights with shimmer

Best figure skater leggings for practice

What you want for practice tights or leggings

Well, the 4 main things you are looking for in practice tights are: COMFORT, WARMTH, DURABILITY and APPEARANCE.
You need tights that:

• don't annoy during any movements
• keep you warm, however long your stay at practice
• are strong enough to withstand the falls, the moves, the frictions... for many practices
• show your personality

So, here are some options that could be good:

Review of 

Review of 

Review of 

The ice skating passion collection of leggings

But if you want something a little different, to stand out on the ice at practice, check out my collection of leggings with figure skating designs and synchronized skating designs.
Features

• Spandex blend
• Medium weight
• Sturdy, don't lose shape
• Breathable

Cons

• Not a specific shape for figure skating (does not go over the boot)
• Not as warm as heavy weight - so it depends how cold you feel when practicing (however, you can also show your passion outside the rink!)

6 Tips to take care of your tights

Below are a few tips to

• Make your tights last longer
• Keep your tights in good shape
• Manage damage to your tights

#1 Don't leave them in your bag

This is an obvious one, but life gets busy, and things get missed...
After practice or competition, tights should at least be dried out outside of the bag. Sweat and ice have most probably accumulated on them.

#2 Washing

Prefer washing your tights by hand with a gentle detergent or simply a Marseille soap. 
Don't use too hot water (as they could shrink).
Some add fabric softener (so that they remain softer when drying) but I think that the less chemicals, the better.

#3 Drying

Do not place them directly on a radiator, set them up on a chair or on a drying laundry rack facing a radiator.

#6 Carry safety pins

If you have opted for over-the-boot tights, make sure you also carry safety pins in your bags.
I had that happen too when the Velcro or the hook under the boot broke. You still need you boot cover to attached under it. Safety pins are you saviors. 

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What is ice dance? Sometimes figure skating events can become confusing. The article below will give you a brief introduction to ice dancing for you to understand better: how it is a different discipline, its history, rules and scoring...

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).

What is ice dance - Introduction

Ballroom dancing on ice

Ice dance is sometimes called Ice Dancing.
It is one of the disciplines of figure skating.

• At its origin, it is simply a transposition of ballroom dancing on the ice.
• Contrary to the other figure skating disciplines, ice dancers focus on the technical footwork on the ice and on the dancing aspect interpreting the musing.
• At national level it can be skates alone or as a pair. At international level, competitions are only for pairs.
• Contrary to pair figure skaters, there are hardly any jumps and lifts have different rules

You can learn more on the differences between figure skating and ice dance in this article.

Events

Ice dance has 2 main events at international competitions

• The Rhythm Dance -
  The rhythms and themes of the dance are determined by the ISU prior to the start of each new season (for example: Folk for 2020/2021). They also identify pattern dance move that has to be incorporated into the dance so as to compare technical skills between dancers.
• The Free Dance –
  According to the "2019 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook" defines it as "the skating by the couple of a creative dance program blending dance steps and movements expressing the character/rhythm(s) of the dance music chosen by the couple".

At lower levels there are also compulsory dances, where the skaters perform the exact same routine several times in a row to compare technical skills.

History of ice dancing

Origins

Ice dancing or figure skating originated in the mid-1800s. Back then, skaters treated the flat ice as an open-air ballroom. Conservative moves, with both feet firmly planted on the floor, were the norm.

Social pair skating was popular during the 1800s, where Ice skaters borrowed from marches, waltzes, and other social dances.

Jackson Haines, an American ballet dancer, took figure skating to another level. His style of ice skating was not appreciated in the USA. He moved to Europe and trained the Viennese to dance on the ice individually or in pairs. European and American waltzes proved to be favorites. 

Changes occurred over the years. Simple steps became more complicated. Delicate ballet steps also made an appearance. The genres of music also grew diverse at this time, and all this helped in bringing greater diversity into ice dancing.

Competition

Ice dance began with the elite classes. Later on, all classes joined in. In turn, this led to it becoming a competitive sport.
Russia hosted the first event in 1896. Only males were participating`. In 1906, organizers hosted a similar competition for women in Switzerland.

Ice dancing remained the hottest global trend during the early 1900s. People still viewed this discipline as a leisure-time activity. However, local clubs in the U.S. and the UK organized informal contests, during the 1920s. Right up to the 1930s, three forms of ice dance predominated with dances like the Ten step, the fouteen-step and the Killian.

By the mid-1930s, people began to think of professional competitions. The ISU decided to formulate specific standards, rules and tests for global events.
This led to the initiation of international competitions in the 1950s. The first World Championships event was in 1952. The European Championships was in 1954.

Olympics

While figure skating appeared at the Summer Olympics in 1908, ice dance remained a leisure sport.

Prior to 1976, the Olympics Committee permitted ice-dancing displays as exhibition performances.
However, the Winter Olympics in 1976, at Innsbruck, changed all that. Ice dance became an official Olympic sport. Austria was the host. The Soviet Union’s pair of Aleksandr Gorshkov and Lyudmila Pakhomoa won the gold medal.

The 2010 Winter Olympics brought more changes. The compulsory dances disappeared.
Ice dance performers began performing only 2 events. They combined rhythm (original dance form) and free dance forms. Combined spins were introduced. This led to routines being more exciting watch for TV.

Learn more about figure skating at the Olympics.

Basic rules

The rink

The elements

The rules of Ice dance require the pairs perform specific elements to create a well-balanced skating program.
They include:

• Dance lift: "a movement in which one of the partners is elevated with active and/or passive assistance of the other partner to any permitted height, sustained there and set down on the ice". Difficulty is increased by rotating or adding changes in position during the lift. Dance lifts are often dramatic and exciting.
• Dance spin: "a spin skated by the Couple together in any hold". It can be a single position spin or combine different positions (with a smooth changing)
• Step sequence: "a series of prescribed or un-prescribed steps, turns and movements".
• Twizzle: "a traveling turn on one foot with one or more rotations which is quickly rotated with a continuous (uninterrupted) action".
• Choreographic elements: "a listed or unlisted movement or series of movement(s) as specified"

Skaters must execute the prescribed elements at least once.

Scoring (at international level)

The scoring method has evolved significantly in the last 10 years. It is now very technical and difficult to explain.
Nowadays, each performance—a Technical score and a Program components score.

Technical score

The technical score is based on the difficulty and execution of the technical elements listed above

• Each element of the program is assigned a base value, which gives skaters credit for every element they perform.
  Some elements, such as spins and step sequences, have levels of difficulty on which the base values are established
• Judges grade the quality of each element using a grade of execution (GOE) score within a range of -5 to +5, which is added to or deducted from the base value. GOEs are proportional to the base value of each element
• The highest and lowest scores for each element are thrown out, and the remaining scores are averaged to determine the final GOE for each element. The GOE is then added to or subtracted from the base value for each element, and the sum of the scores for all elements forms the technical score.

Program components Score

This score is based on the artistry, the interpretation of the music and the dancing display.
The judges give points from 0.25 to 10 (in increments of 0.25) for five components of the program:

• Skating Skills - 
  It considers the overall quality of the skating quality: the edge control, the fluidity, the flow over the ice surface, the effortless speed, the cleanliness of the foot techniques.
• Transitions -
  The difficulty and variety of transition in footwork, positions and pair hold.
• Performance -
  How the skater gets involved in the choreography, the harmony, the style and personnality
• Composition / choreography -
  How the movements of the routine are arranged to create a fluid choreography that is proportionate, uses the spaces, creates pattern, is structured around the music...
• Interpretation of Music -
  "the personal and creative translation of music to movement on ice" - e.g. expression of the music style, interpretation of nuances in the music

As with Grade of Execution, the highest and lowest scores for each component are thrown out, and the remaining scores are averaged. The final program components scores are then multiplied by a set factor to ensure the technical score and program components score are balanced.

Deductions

Deductions are applied in case of:

• Fall
• Illegal element
• Interruption in performance
• Non respect of timing
• And many many other rules (such as length of lift, music, tempo costumes…)

The scores are then added.

Equipment

Skates

Like for figure skating the overall skate is a boot and a blade with toepicks.
However when starting competition, differences appear in the skates :

• the blade for ice dance is shorter at the end. It is not much longer than the boot as opposed to figure skates.
• At high level, ice dancers often have special boots that are cut at the back to allow for better lines when pointing toes.

However, the rest of the equipment remain the same (skate guards, soakers, bags...)

Costumes

Finally, as a general rule, ice dancing dresses are often longer than figure skating.
Here again it is logical since figure skaters need aerodynamic outfits to jump and spin. If the dress is too long, it will limit their movements.

Famous ice dancers

At international level, ice dance can only be performed as a couple.
Europe long dominated the discipline. But Canadians And Americans have been winning more frequently since 2010.

Famous Ice dancing couples include:

• Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (United Kingdom) - Olympic gold in 1984 and World champions.
• Oksana Grishuk and Evgeni Platov (Russia) - 4 times World champions (1994 to 1997) - Olympic Gold in 1994 and 1998.
• Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat (France) - 2002 Olympic Champions and 2000 World champions.
• Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov (Russia) - 2006 Olympic gold and 2 times World champions.
• Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (Canada) - 2010 Olympic Champions, 3 times World champions.
• Meryl Davis and Charlie White (USA) - 2014 Olympic Gold, 2 times World champions.
• Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron - Many times world Champions, Silver Olympic medallists in 2018.

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