subject: Skating Lessons Toronto Private Learn To Skate Lessons In North York Canada [print this page] Whether youre a new skating fan, or an oldpro who can name all the elements in a program, how things are scored incompetition may still be causing you big headaches. The ISU Judging System is still fairly new, annually updated with refinements and improvements toeliminate the guesswork out of judging and to build and strengthen theintegrity and credibility of our sport.
SOVs, GOEs, Program Components, Technical Specialists there are many new terms and concepts to learn. This educational series will start with a general overview of three areas important to the new system: Base Values, Grade of Execution and Program Components.
This introduction to the judging system will start you on a path to help explore and enjoy figure skating in new ways.You will discover how its revolutionized and inspired our sport to become better than ever.
Base Value
As the skater performs, a three-person Technical Panel identifies each element, at which point a Data Specialist will tell the computer to assign a base value in points pre-set by the ISU. All jumps have a specific point value, whereas other elements like spins, lifts and foot work can have their base values increased depending on four defined levels of difficulty, extra things the competitor does that make the element harder.The higher the level of difficulty, the higher the base value. Remember, points are based on what the skater actually performs, not what they have planned in their program.
Grade of Execution
Once the Technical Panel has identified the elements and the base value points have been assigned, the Judging panel must decide how well or how poorly the element was skated. This is the GOE Grade of Execution based on a scale of points from +3 for fabulous to -3 forhorrible, points that are added to or taken away from the base value.
Program Components
The Judges are each required to assess the overall performance of the skater by providing marks out of 10.0 (with increments of 0.25) for five different Program Components. These different categories capture aspects of the program skating skills, transitions,performance, choreography, interpretation and timing (for ice dance).
Were off to a good start and new articles will be added to delve deeper into the various aspects of the judging system. Skating is a difficult sport and as you can see, scoring it isnt easy either, but dont be discouraged. A little time invested in learning the language and studying the process and youll be an expert quicker than you can say Quad toe loop base value of 9.8!
With this new ISU Judging System, the skating world has clearly defined what constitutes good skating: judges are more educated, skaters are more empowered, coaches can strategize more fully and the outcome allows fans to see results that reflect what was actually done on the ice. We have truly been witnesses to a revolution in the sport over the last few years and there is more excitement to come in the approaching season.
