Ice Dance Rules and Resources

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

6/5/25 - ISU Communication #2716 was posted.

6/3/25 - The 2025-26 Key Points for Novice Partnered Pattern Dance were posted.

6/3/25 - ISU Communications #2704 and #2705 were posted. 

4/9/25 - ISU Communication #2698 - Music Requirements - was posted.

2/28/25 - The 2025-26 Key Points for Juvenile and Intermediate Partnered Pattern Dance were posted. These will go into effect May 20, 2025.

ISU Communications and Q&As

ISU Communication #2716 - Ice Dance - Calling Specifications and Levels of Difficulty 2025-26 (PDF, posted 6/5/25)
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 6/3/25)
This replaces ISU Communication #2630.

ISU Communication #2698 - Ice Dance - Music Requirements (PDF, posted 4/9/25)

ISU Communication #2647 - Ice Dance - Scale of Values 2024-25 (PDF, update 9/4/24 by ISU)

ISU Communication #2646 - Ice Dance - Calling Specifications & Levels of Difficulty 2024-25 (PDF, updated 8/23/24 by ISU)

ISU Communication #2630 - Ice Dance - Requirements for Technical Rules & Marking Guides 2024-25 (PDF, updated 8/23/24 by ISU)

How Should the Referee Check the Duration of a Lift (PDF, 7/25/19)

Scale of Values and Deductions

• 2025-26 Scale of Values (ISU Communication #2705) (PDF, posted 6/3/25)
• 2024-25 Scale of Values (ISU Communication #2647) (PDF, updated 9/4/24 by ISU)
• 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)
• 2024-25 Ice Dance Deductions for Novice and Below and Adult (PDF, 7/8/24)
• 2024-25 Ice Dance Deductions for Junior and Senior (PDF, 7/8/24)
   
• Ice Dance Deductions for U.S. Figure Skating 6.0 Events (PDF, 7/8/24)

Levels of Difficulty, Key Points and Calling Clarifications

• 2025-26 ISU Calling Specifications and Levels of Difficulty (ISU Communication #2716) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)
• 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)
   
• 2024-25 Pattern Dance Key Points for Juvenile, Intermediate and Novice (PDF, 5/2/24)
   
• Juvenile Free Dance and Adult Free Dance Twizzle Calling Specifications (PDF, 7/20/11)

Marking of GOEs and Program Components

• 2025-26 Marking Guide for GOEs for Ice Dance (PDF, posted 6/3/25)
   
• 2024-25 Judges Reminders for Ice Dance (PDF, 7/4/24)
• 2024-25 Marking Guide for GOEs for Ice Dance (PDF, updated 8/23/24 by ISU)
   

• 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)

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

Qualifying Competitions

For information about singles qualifying competitions, click here.