Rules & Resources - Synchro - U.S. Figure Skating

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING: RULES & RESOURCES

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

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

5/27/26 – ISU Communication No. 2792 – Synchronized Skating Marking Guides – was posted.
5/18/26 – ISU Communication No. 2787 – Synchronized Skating Difficulty Groups of Elements for 2026-27 – was posted.
5/18/26 – ISU Communication No. 2776 – Synchronized Skating Scale of Values for 2026-27 – was posted.

General Information:

ISU Communication #2792 - Synchronized Skating - Marking Guides for GOE and ISU Deductions for 2026-27 (PDF, posted 5/27/26)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2720, effective July 1, 2026.
ISU Communication #2787 - Synchronized Skating - Difficulty Groups of Elements, Features and Additional Features for 2026-27 (PDF, posted 5/18/26)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2695, effective July 1, 2026.
ISU Communication #2776 - Synchronized Skating - Scale of Values for 2026-27 (PDF, posted 5/18/26)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2693, effective July 1, 2026.
ISU Communication #2720 - Synchronized Skating - Marking Guides for GOE and ISU Deductions for 2025-26 (PDF, posted 6/16/25)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2632, effective July 1, 2025.
ISU Communication #2695 - Synchronized Skating - Difficulty Groups of Elements, Features and Additional Features for 2025-26 (PDF, posted 4/16/25)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2639, effective July 1, 2025.
ISU Communication #2693 - Synchronized Skating - Scale of Values for 2025-26 (PDF, posted 4/16/25)
Note: This replaces ISU Communication #2554, effective July 1, 2025.
2024 ISU Special Regulations for Synchronized Skating (PDF, 9/20/24)
Note: These regulations pertain to international competitions. For the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook, please click here.
2025-26 ISU Q&A No. 3 (PDF, dated 2/23/26, posted 2/27/26)
2025-26 ISU Q&A No. 2 (PDF, dated 11/20/25, posted 11/26/25)
2025-26 ISU Q&A No. 1 (PDF, dated 9/9/25, posted 9/17/25)
2025-26 Scale of Values (ISU Communication #2693) (PDF, 4/16/25)
2025-26 Synchronized Skating Deduction Table for Events Judged Using the IJS (PDF, 8/14/25)
Synchronized Interruptions and Falls Chart (PDF, 9/17/25)
2025-26 ISU Technical Panel Handbook - Synchronized (PDF, revised 9/10/25, posted 9/17/25)
2025-26 Difficulty Groups of Elements, Features and Additional Features (ISU Communication 2695) (PDF, 4/16/25)
2025-26 Domestic Calling Specifications - Synchronized (PDF, 8/14/25)
2026-27 Difficulty Groups of Elements, Features and Additional Features (ISU Communication 2787)(PDF, posted 5/18/26)
Marking Guides for the Component Judging System
2025-26 Guidelines for Marking GOE in Synchronized Skating (PDF, 6/16/25)
Program Component Chart (PDF, 8/24/24)
Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills Charts (PDF, 8/1/24)
2025-26 Program Components Weighting and Factors for Synchronized (PDF, 8/18/25)
Thinking Words for Program Component Scale (PDF, posted 8/25/25)
2025-26 Judge and Referee Reminders - Synchronized (PDF, posted 10/30/25)
2026-27 Guidelines for Marking GOE in Synchronized Skating (PDF, 5/27/26)

Competition Calendar:

2025-26 Synchronized Skating Competition Calendar

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