ISU Judging System

Season 2024-25

The ISU Judging System (or the International Judging System (IJS)), occasionally referred to as the Code of Points (COP) system,[1] is the scoring system currently used to judge the figure skating disciplines of men's and ladies' singles, pair skating, ice dance, and synchronized skating. It was designed and implemented by the International Skating Union (ISU), the ruling body of the sport. This system of scoring is used in all international competitions sanctioned by the ISU, including the Olympic Games. The ISU Judging System replaced the previous 6.0 system in 2004. This new system was created in response to the 2002 Winter Olympics figure skating scandal, in an attempt to make the scoring system more objective and less vulnerable to abuse.[2]

Official ISU documents for the season 2024/25

Novice competitions

Requirements 2024-25 Print

Senior

Junior

Advanced Novice

Intermediate Novice

1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A

Basic Novice

Category Senior

Age: since 17 years (born before 30/06/2007)

Requirements:

Category Junior

Age:
Women:   13 - 18 years (born between 01/07/2005 - 30/06/2011)
Men:   13 - 18 years (born between 01/07/2005 - 30/06/2011)
Ice Dance:   πŸ‘© 13 - 20 years (born between 01/07/2003 - 30/06/2011) 🀡 13 - 20 years y.o. (born between 01/07/2003 - 30/06/2011)
Pairs:   πŸ‘© 13 - 20 years (born between 01/07/2003 - 30/06/2011) 🀡 13 - 22 years y.o. (born between 01/07/2001 - 30/06/2011)

Requirements:

Category Advanced Novice

Age:
Women:   10 - 15 years (born between 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2014)
Men:   10 - 15 years (born between 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2014)
Ice Dance:   πŸ‘© 10 - 15 years (born between 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2014) 🀡 10 - 17 years y.o. (born between 01/07/2006 - 30/06/2014)
Pairs:   πŸ‘© 10 - 15 years (born between 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2014) 🀡 10 - 17 years y.o. (born between 01/07/2006 - 30/06/2014)

Requirements:

Women

Short Program

2:20
Duration:
2 minutes 20 seconds

The Short Program shall consist of the following elements:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A 3T 3S 3Lo 3F 3Lz 3A
  • a) Single or double Axel jump
  • b) Double or triple jump, may not repeat jump a)
  • c) One jump combination consisting of two double jumps or one double and one triple jump, the second jump must be double or triple Toe loop (for season 2024/25), both jumps may not repeat jump a) or b)
  • An Euler jump CAN BE included in the Jump combination in the Short Program.
Spins
Steps

One step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface.

For feature 4) Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet: the combinations must include forward outside rocker and backward inside loop (for season 2024/25), they can be in the same combination or one in the first and the other in the second. Only one difficult turn may be repeated once in the two combinations. At least 2 difficult turns and steps must be executed on clean edges for Level basic.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for the Program Components is 1.07.

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Free Skating

3:00
Duration:
3 minutes

A well balanced Free Skating program must contain:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A 3T 3S 3Lo 3F 3Lz 3A

Maximum of 6 jump elements:

  • one of which must be an Axel type jump
  • There may be up to two (2) jump combinations or one (1) jump combination and one (1) jump sequence.
  • One jump combination or jump sequence can consist of up to three (3) jumps, the other up to two (2) jumps. A jump sequence consists of two or three jumps of any number of revolutions, in which the second and/or the third jump is an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first/second jump into the take-off curve of the Axel jump.
  • One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence. Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value. Only two triple jumps can be repeated either in a jump combination or jump sequence.
  • (removed Euler limitations from previous seasons)
  • No quadruple jumps are allowed. Any single, double (including Double Axel) or triple jump cannot be executed more than twice in total. The same type of jump independent of revolutions can be included not more than three times in the Free Skating program.
Spins

There must be a maximum of two (2) spins of a different nature (abbreviation)

  • one of which must be a spin combination with change of foot (minimum eight (8) revolutions), flying entrance is not allowed
  • and one must be a flying camel (minimum six (6) revolutions), a change of foot is allowed but a change of position is not allowed (for season 2024/25)
Steps

There must be one (1) Choreographic Sequence consisting of at least two different skating movements.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for the Program Components is 2.40.

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Men

Short Program

2:20
Duration:
2 minutes 20 seconds

The Short Program shall consist of the following elements:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A 3T 3S 3Lo 3F 3Lz 3A
  • a) Single or double Axel jump
  • b) Double or triple jump, may not repeat jump a)
  • c) One jump combination consisting of two double jumps or one double and one triple jump, the second jump must be double or triple Toe loop (for season 2024/25), both jumps may not repeat jump a) or b)
  • An Euler jump CAN BE included in the Jump combination in the Short Program.
Spins
Steps

One step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface.

For feature 4) Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet: the combinations must include forward outside rocker and backward inside loop (for season 2024/25), they can be in the same combination or one in the first and the other in the second. Only one difficult turn may be repeated once in the two combinations. At least 2 difficult turns and steps must be executed on clean edges for Level basic.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for the Program Components is 1.20.

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Free Skating

3:00
Duration:
3 minutes

A well balanced Free Skating program must contain:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A 3T 3S 3Lo 3F 3Lz 3A

Maximum of 6 jump elements:

  • one of which must be an Axel type jump
  • There may be up to two (2) jump combinations or one (1) jump combination and one (1) jump sequence.
  • One jump combination or jump sequence can consist of up to three (3) jumps, the other up to two (2) jumps. A jump sequence consists of two or three jumps of any number of revolutions, in which the second and/or the third jump is an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first/second jump into the take-off curve of the Axel jump.
  • One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence. Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value. Only two triple jumps can be repeated either in a jump combination or jump sequence.
  • (removed Euler limitations from previous seasons)
  • No quadruple jumps are allowed. Any single, double (including Double Axel) or triple jump cannot be executed more than twice in total. The same type of jump independent of revolutions can be included not more than three times in the Free Skating program.
Spins

There must be a maximum of two (2) spins of a different nature (abbreviation)

  • one of which must be a spin combination with change of foot (minimum eight (8) revolutions), flying entrance is not allowed
  • and one must be a flying camel (minimum six (6) revolutions), a change of foot is allowed but a change of position is not allowed (for season 2024/25)
Steps

There must be one (1) Choreographic Sequence consisting of at least two different skating movements.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for the Program Components is 2.40.

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Category Intermediate Novice

Age: 15 years or younger (born after 01/07/2008)

Requirements:

Event in this category consists of Free Skating only.

Women

Free Skating

3:00
Duration:
3 minutes

A well balanced Free Skating program must contain:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A

Maximum of five (5) jump elements:

  • One of which must be an Axel type jump.
  • There may be up to two (2) jump combinations or one (1) jump combination and one (1) jump sequence.
  • Jump combinations and the jump sequence consist of only two (2) jumps.
  • In the jump sequence the second jump must be an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump in to the take-off curve of the Axel jump. One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence.
  • Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value.
  • removed limitations on Eurler from previous season
  • No triple and quadruple jumps are allowed.
  • Only one single jump and one double jump (including Double Axel) can be repeated once
Spins

There must be a maximum of two (2) spins of a different nature (abbreviation), one of which must be a spin combination and one must be a spin with no change of position.

  • The spin combination with a change of foot and a minimum of eight (8) revolutions or without a change of foot with a minimum of six (6) revolutions. Flying entrance is not allowed. If with change of foot, only one level feature per foot will count.
  • The spin in one position with a change of foot minimum of eight (8) revolutions or spin in one position without change of foot minimum of six (6) revolutions. In both spins flying entries are allowed.
Steps

There must be a maximum of one (1) step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface and including at least one skating movement such as a spiral, spread eagle, Ina Bauer, hydroblading etc. If the skating movement is missing, no Level will be given. At least 2 difficult turns and steps must be executed on clean edges for Level basic. The Technical Panel will not award Feature 3) Use of body movements for at least 1/3 of the pattern and Feature 4) Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for Program Components is: 1.7

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Men

Free Skating

3:00
Duration:
3 minutes

A well balanced Free Skating program must contain:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A

Maximum of five (5) jump elements:

  • One of which must be an Axel type jump.
  • There may be up to two (2) jump combinations or one (1) jump combination and one (1) jump sequence.
    • Jump combinations and the jump sequence consist of only two (2) jumps.
    • In the jump sequence the second jump must be an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump in to the take-off curve of the Axel jump. One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence.
    • Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value.
    • removed limitations on Eurler from previous season
  • No triple and quadruple jumps are allowed.
  • Only one single jump and one double jump (including Double Axel) can be repeated once
Spins

There must be a maximum of two (2) spins of a different nature (abbreviation), one of which must be a spin combination and one must be a spin with no change of position.

  • The spin combination with a change of foot and a minimum of eight (8) revolutions or without a change of foot with a minimum of six (6) revolutions. Flying entrance is not allowed. If with change of foot, only one level feature per foot will count.
  • The spin in one position with a change of foot minimum of eight (8) revolutions or spin in one position without change of foot minimum of six (6) revolutions. In both spins flying entries are allowed.
Steps

There must be a maximum of one (1) step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface and including at least one skating movement such as a spiral, spread eagle, Ina Bauer, hydroblading etc. If the skating movement is missing, no Level will be given. At least 2 difficult turns and steps must be executed on clean edges for Level basic. The Technical Panel will not award Feature 3) Use of body movements for at least 1/3 of the pattern and Feature 4) Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for Program Components is: 2.0

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.

Category Basic Novice

Age: 13 years or younger (born after 01/07/2010)

Event in this category consists of Free Skating only.

Free Skating

2:30
Duration:
2 minutes 30 seconds

A well balanced Free Skating program must contain:

Jumps
1T 1S 1Lo 1F 1Lz 1A 2T 2S 2Lo 2F 2Lz 2A

Maximum of five (5) jump elements:

  • One of which must be an Axel type jump.
  • There may be up to two (2) jump combinations or one (1) jump combination and one (1) jump sequence.
    • Jump combinations and the jump sequence consist of only two (2) jumps.
    • In the jump sequence the second jump must be an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump in to the take-off curve of the Axel jump. One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence.
    • Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value.
    • removed limitations on Eurler from previous season
  • No triple and quadruple jumps are allowed.
  • Only one single jump and one double jump (including Double Axel) can be repeated once
Spins

There must be a maximum of two (2) spins of a different nature (abbreviation), one of which must be a spin combination and one must be a spin with no change of position and no change of foot.

  • The spin combination with a change of foot and a minimum of eight (8) revolutions or without a change of foot with a minimum of six (6) revolutions Flying entry is allowed. If with change of foot, only one level feature per foot will count.
  • The spin in one position without change of foot must have a minimum of six (6) revolutions, must be done in a basic position without any difficult variation positions and will be called maximum level basic. After the required revolutions it is allowed to execute difficult variations, but these will be ignored by the Technical Panel. Flying entry is not allowed.
Steps

There must be a maximum of one (1) step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface and including at least one skating movement such as a spiral, spread eagle, Ina Bauer, hydroblading etc. If the skating movement is missing, no Level will be given. At least 2 difficult turns and steps must be executed on clean edges for Level basic. The Technical Panel will not award Feature 3) Use of body movements for at least 1/3 of the pattern and Feature 4) Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet.

Components

The following Program Components are judged:

  • Composition
  • Presentation
  • Skating Skills

The factor for Program Components is: 1.67

Further details on elements judging, levels and bonuses, see Communication β„– 2624.