Pairs Rules and Resources

U.S. Figure Skating utilizes the following marking guides in pairs competition events.

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

7/22/25 - The 2025-26 ISU Technical Panel Handbook for Pair Skating has been posted.

6/6/25 - The 2025-26 Pairs Calling Clarifications for Junior and Below have been posted.

6/5/25 - The 2025-26 Levels of Difficulty, Scale of Values and Marking Guides for Pairs were posted.

ISU Communications and Q&As

ISU Communication #2707 - Singles and Pairs - Scale of Values 2025-26 (PDF, posted 6/5/25)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2656 beginning July 1, 2025.

ISU Communication #2701 - Singles and Pairs - Levels of Difficulty, Guidelines for Marking GOE and Changes and Clarifications for GOE and PCS for 2025-26 (PDF, posted 6/5/25)
Note: This communication replaces ISU Communication #2623

Scale of Values and Deductions

2025-26 Scale of Values (ISU Communication #2707) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)

2025-26 Singles/Pairs - IJS Deductions and Who's Responsible (PDF, 6/5/25)

Pairs - 6.0 Deductions and Who is Responsible (PDF, 2/9/24)

Levels of Difficulty and Calling Clarifications

2025-26 Levels of Difficulty - Pairs (from ISU Communication #2701) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)

2025-26 Pairs Calling Clarifications for Junior and Below (PDF, 6/6/25)

2025-26 ISU Technical Panel Handbook for Pairs (PDF, 7/22/25)
Note: This document has been prepared for ISU technical panels for all international events, and U.S. Figure Skating technical panels will follow it for its events. Any further ISU changes to these documents will be posted on this website.

Spins Difficult Variations Chart Tool - Pairs (PDF, 8/1/14)

Marking of GOEs and Program Components

2025-26 Guidelines for Marking GOE in Singles and Pairs Short Program and Free Skate (from ISU Communication #2701) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)

2025-26 Changes and Clarifications for GOE and PCS - Singles and Pairs Events (from ISU Communication #2701) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)

2025-26 Program Component Chart (from ISU Communication #2701) (PDF, posted 6/5/25)

Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills Charts (PDF, 8/1/24)

Singles and Pairs Thinking Words for Program Component Scale (PDF, 6/5/25)

ISU Handbook for Referees & Judges - Singles and Pairs 2025-26 (PDF, 6/6/25)
Note: This handbook pertains to international competitions. For referee information for U.S. Figure Skating Competitions, please click here.

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

Qualifying Competitions

For information about singles qualifying competitions, click here

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