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

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

6/18/26 – ISU Communication 2795 – Requirements for Technical Rules for 2026-27 – was posted.

6/18/26 – The 2026-27 key points for novice were updated to correct the order of the pattern dances.

6/1/26 – The 2026-27 key points for novice were posted. The 2026-27 key points for intermediate were updated (code for the Fourteenstep).

3/13/26 - The 2026-27 key points for juvenile and intermediate pattern dance 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 #2795 - Ice Dance - Requirements for Technical Rules for 2026-27 (PDF, posted 6/18/26)
This replaces a portion of ISU Communication #2704.
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)
Partial Synchronized Twizzle Calling Specifications (PDF, 7/9/25)
2025-26 Ice Dance Calling Clarifications for Novice and Below (PDF, 7/9/25)
2026-27 Pattern Dance Key Points for Juvenile (Effective May 19, 2026) (PDF, 3/13/26)
2026-27 Pattern Dance Key Points for Intermediate (Effective May 19, 2026) (PDF, 6/1/26)
2026-27 Pattern Dance Key Points for Novice (Effective May 19, 2026) (PDF, 6/18/26)
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

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

6/19/26 - ANNOUNCEMENT regarding tempo timing for the 2026 Solo Dance Series

5/18/26 - ANNOUNCEMENT regarding early start times 2026 Solo Dance Series

Solo dance National final podium photo of the top four medalists

Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Handbook (updated 3/10/2026)
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Series Clarifications (updated 3/10/2026)
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Series Officials' Manual (posted 1/24/26)
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 2026 Solo Dance Series Pattern Dance Element Codes
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Series IJS Element Codes
Click Here for 2026 Solo Dance Program Components
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
Click Here for the Solo Dance Series Clarification for Scoring Officials & Referees
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.
2027 National Solo Dance Final: Awarded to Ashburn, VA

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