gofigureskating.com
Figure Skating Spins in Competition

There are currently two systems used for judging figure skating competitions, namely the 6.0 system and the ISU Judging System.

The 6.0 figure skating judging system was the judging system used at most figure skating competitions until the new ISU figure skating judging system was implemented shortly after the 2002 Olympics.

The ISU Judging System is the scoring system was designed and implemented by the International Skating Union (ISU), the ruling body of the sport. This system of scoring is used in all qualifying national and international competitions sanctioned by the ISU, including the Winter Olympic Games.

This page gives an overview of how jumps are scored in the ISU Judging System.

Level of Difficulty
 
For spins there are 4 levels of difficulty. The level of difficulty is dependant on the number of features.
You need to perform two features for level 2, three for level 3, and four for level 4.
1. A difficult variation in a basic or (for spin combinations only) in an intermediate position
2. Another difficult variation in a basic position which must be:
● spins in one position and flying spins – different than the first one
● all other spins – on different foot and/or in different position than the first one
3. Difficult change of foot
4. Backward entrance/Difficult variation of flying entrance/Landing on the same foot as take off or changing foot on landing in a Flying Sit Spin
5. Both edges in one basic position (in any spin both edges count only once)
6. All 3 basic positions (for spins with change of foot – on each foot)
7. Both directions immediately following each other.
8. At least 8 rev. without changes in pos./variation, foot or edge (camel, sit, layback, difficult upright), counts twice if repeated on another foot
Additional features for the Layback spin
9. One change of position backwards-sideways or reverse, at least 3 rev. in each position
10. Biellmann position after layback spin (SP – after 8 revolutions in layback spin)

Scale of Values

As stated above each spin has a base value to which a GOE value is added to or subtracted from. Looking at the data I noticed something interesting, For a level 1 spin, a flying sit spin has a higher value than a flying camel. For a level 2 spin they have the same value. For level 3 and 4, the camel spin wins.

 
Upright Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 USp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.2 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 USp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.5 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 USp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.9 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 USp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Layback Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 LSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.5 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 LSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.9 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 LSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 LSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.7 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Camel Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 CSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 CSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.8 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 CSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.3 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 CSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.6 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Sit Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 SSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.3 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 SSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.6 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 SSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.1 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 SSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.5 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Flying Upright Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 FUSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.7 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 FUSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 FUSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 FUSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.9 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Flying Layback Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 FLSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 FLSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 FLSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.9 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 FLSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.2 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Flying Camel Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 FCSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.9 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 FCSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.3 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 FCSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.8 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 FCSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.2 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
Flying Sit Spin
 
Level Abbreviation +3 +2 +1 Base -1 -2 -3
1 FSSp1 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
2 FSSp2 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.3 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
3 FSSp3 1.5 1.0 0.5 2.6 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
4 FSSp4 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0
 
Grade of Execution (GOE)
 
When performing a spin in competition you can improve you score by achieving a higher grade of execution GOE. You can receive +1, +2, or +3 based on the number of bullets you achieve below.

1. Good control throughout (entry, rotation, change of foot, conclusion/exit)
2. Good speed or acceleration during spin
3. Balanced rotations (on different feet / in different positions or variations)
4. Clearly more than required number of revolutions
5. Superior position(s) (including air position in flying spins)
6. Creativity and originality
 
Deductions
 

Deductions can be based on inconsistent speed, not enough rotations, weak positions, not centered...
Here are some examples of deductions

  • Fall during the spin –3, –GOE
  • Touch down with both hands –2, –GOE
  • Re-centering of the spin –1 to –3
  • Touch down with free foot or one hand –1
  • Traveling –1 to –3
  • Inconsistent speed of rotation (eg slows down) –1
  • Less than required revolutions –1 to –3
  • Change of foot poorly executed (eg moving to an intermediate pos. during the change in a sit spin) –1 to –3
  • Weak or poor position(s)–1 to –3

Change of position
 

There are really only three positions for spins ; upright, camel and sit. All spins are variations of these three basic positions. To receive points for a change of position a skater must transition from one of these three basic positions to another. Since a layback and a Biellmann are both upright spins, a transition is not considered a change in position but rather a change in feature. A transition form a camel to a sit spin is in fact a change of position.

Change of edge
  Since spins can be performed in an inside or outside edge, a change in edge will receive additional points

Change in direction
  Most skaters spin in one direction. A spin in both directions is certainly a difficult task.

Quality
  Centering - When a spin is properly centered, the blade creates small circle in the same spot on the ice. When a spin is not properly centered the circles become larger and the skater may travel across the ice.
  Control - Control and balance go hand in hand.
  Speed - Speed is actually achieved by having good centering and control.
     
follow us
Skate tube
Get Started Figure Skating!
 
Links to Understanding
ISU Judging System
Scoring Figure Skating Jumps in IJS
Scoring Figure Skating Spins in IJS
Scoring Figure Skating Spirals in IJS
Scoring Figure Skating Step Sequences in IJS
Grade of Execution (GOE) in IJS
Elements of Freestyle Program
 
 
 
© 2007 RCS Inc.