Making Your Own Code of Points

For a long program that emphasizes maximum technical difficulty but offers offers more freedom/choice to the skaters
(either a well-balanced free skate that is freer in element choices or a long technical program to paired with an "artistic" program), I propose the rules below. They would require more work from the technical panel. How to make it workable for them TBD.

Senior: 4 minutes, maximum 12 elements, of which

Jumps: Minimum 5 jump elements, maximum 7
Of these, no more than 3 can be jump combos/sequences
Zayak rule applies; axel requirement may still apply

Straight combos as currently defined, with 1.1 multiplier for first jump if it leads directly into the second, 1.2 multiplier for second or third jump

True sequence (maximum one): Two or three jumps that are connected by a step, half-revolution turn (one-foot or change of foot), half-revolution hop, or edge change to change rotational direction; full value for all jumps executed before and after one of these legal transitions -- this would include step forward from landing to axel as well as a number of other options including some creative ones we haven't seen before

Unintended sequence (intended as combo): A change of foot or weight on both feet with or without turning stops the element – anything occurring afterward is called but asterisked with no value
(Light touchdown without a turn or double three or edge change on landing of first jump without touchdown will maintain the combination -- should it negate the multiplier?) -- but be penalized by judges in GOE)

Maximum 1 three-jump combo or sequence
OR
Maximum 1 Leveled Jump Sequence
This element will consist of 3 or more jumps of no more than 1.5 revolutions each, with level features awarded for specific achievements in air position, takeoffs, rotational direction, connections between jumps – details TBD

Single walley and single inside axel remain unlisted elements. Double and triple walley and inside axel will be added to the Scale of Values. Proposed values: 4.0 for doubles, 8.5 for triples. Walleys would be subject to e and ! calls.

For true two-jump combos, executing the two jumps in opposite directions will earn a bonus to the base value of 1.0 for each revolution of the skater’s “wrong” direction jump (e.g., opposite 2A would earn a bonus of 2.5)

Takeoff bonuses: 2.0 for successfully rotating (not downgraded) six different takeoffs with 2 or more revolutions; 4.0 for successfully rotating six different takeoffs with 3 or more revolutions (2.5 or more for women?); 4.0 for successfully rotating eight different takeoffs with 2 or more revolutions

Second-half bonus: Can apply to up to 4 jump elements in the second half; does not apply to leveled jump sequence?

Spins elements: Minimum of 2; Maximum of 4
Must include at least one spin in one position, one combination spin, and one flying entry
All spins may change foot and all may be entered with a fly
All could be leveled, with some additional features I’d like to propose – and maintain limits on repeating features
Or the fourth spin, if chosen, would be considered a choreo spin

Sequences: Minimum of 1; Maximum of 3
Leveled step sequence (similar to current rules – some tweaks to level features) – Mandatory
Second leveled step sequence that must be a clear contrast to the first in either pattern (straight-line vs. circular or serpentine) and/or musical rhythm/tempo
Leveled field moves sequence: Would include most features from the past leveled spiral sequence plus a few, and also features for spread eagles, Ina Bauers, and shoot-the-duck/hydroblading moves – lots to choose from to earn higher levels for skaters who are good at those kinds of moves
School figures variation: To be skated on 2 or 3 tangent circles, at least one circle at a time without change of foot and at least 3 changes of foot; features to be based primarily on turns and number of circles executed without putting the other foot down, also some features for body positions

So a skater could choose to do a program that would fit under the current senior free skate rules, choosing a leveled second step sequence or field moves sequence in place of the current choreo sequence

Or they could do something very different, e.g.:
Two solo jumps
Two two-jump combinations (one with a change of direction; the other with a quad as the second jump to take advantage of the multiplier?)
One leveled jump sequence
Four different spins
One step sequence, one field moves sequence, one school figures variation

Or somewhere in between
 
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School figures variation: To be skated on 2 or 3 tangent circles, at least one circle at a time without change of foot and at least 3 changes of foot; features to be based primarily on turns and number of circles executed without putting the other foot down, also some features for body positions
How would this work within a free skating program?
 
Since I'm living in my fantasy land, maybe we can bring back compulsories, but not exactly figures. Instead, model it after like gymnastics, where ISU can adapt old short programs or choreograph new ones that skaters have to learn and it's all judged on execution. Then we can have a technical program of whatever length and a Free Program.

Even if people think the above is a terrible idea, I bet they've started to think of old SPs they would possibly adapt into a senior compulsory routine.
 
I feel like it would be very hard... I've never seen even a proper three turn on a spiral, it's always skidded.

For turns in spiral positions, I'd put those as features in the spiral/field moves sequence.

For the school figures variation on smallish circles, one feature could be to do 1 1/2 or 2 circles in spiral position, with an edge change in position. Another could be to do a rocker or counter at the change of the circle with the free leg dropped for the turn but lifted again immediately after.

To get credit for doing the whole circle+ in spiral position, it probably would not be possible to include turns on the circle itself, which would be a different feature. Skaters would need to choose which features to use, since not all are compatible with each other.

In theory, I think it's possible to do, e.g., a forward inside edge with the free leg lifted in front at 90 degrees, and then turn a bracket or counter without lowering the free leg, so that the free leg ends up behind the body that's now traveling backward, in an arabesque position.
That would be very difficult, so it should count as two features. (In a spiral sequence context, it's a change of direction and a change of spiral position at the same time.)
 
ANL COP:

1. Both programs judged for 51% artistry and 49% technical, reclaiming the artistic sport of figure skating
2. Max of 5 jumps in free
3. Choreography and Interpretation make up the highest portion of artistic or second mark, and its judged heavily.
4. 1 point deduction for blowing kisses in choreography
5. 5 point deduction for warhorse music that will be continually monitored and revised on a weekly basis by ANL
6. Plus 5 points for same sex pairings in dance and pairs
7. Any quad axel that is executed but has a downgrade results in removal from competition. Dont even think about doing it unless its 90% rotated at home.
8. Plus 3 points for any program with a nod to Miss Angela.
 
Make the short program the "IJS technical program", with levelled spins, footwork, and required jump passes. Very similar to what it is now, but with more inherent risk, by penalizing mistakes more harshly.

The long program desperately needs lesser requirements. Spins and footwork to be judged on aesthetics and musicality. Seven jumping passes is fine. Judge the components judiciously. The program should be a musical, cohesive whole, with emphasis on skating skills, connection to the music and arena, plus composition. Ideally, this new long program format would marry the golden age of skating style (90s) with modern IJS sensibilities.
 
Thank you to all (or almost all?) in this thread for helping me gain an understanding of scoring. Even the sarcastic and humorous posts are elucidating to a fan like me who does not have much insight into the scoring system, its flaws, and possible alternatives.

I won't say what came to mind when I saw "ANL COP" in all caps, but it might have been related to the state of my brain after attending Pride events yesterday.
 
I would love it if the 8 rev feature for spins can be applied as many times as possible instead of just once per program, but it should be regarded stringently (i.e. should not count if materially lost centering / speed).
 
I would like to see the IJS to be a bit more flexible and less mechanical. It would be better if the execution scores are reduced, the TES are higher, and the PCS are even higher, but the SP is the most important and most difficult part of the program and the PCS, GOE and PCS should all reflect the skaters' ability to skate the program to their full potential. The skaters should be able to create their own identity in the program, but they should also be able to focus on polishing a perfect performance, and they should also be able to avoid mistakes. The program components are very important and need to be "do or die", and the program should also be able to be skated based on the skater's artistic interpretation.
 
If we are going the movie route on this, then crashing into garden furniture strategically placed on the ice should be worth 5.6.
Tripping over roses, with poignant rescue by sighted significant other, garners a 10-point bonus. Or automatic 6.0 for artistic merit if you're going old system.
 
Finally got around to writing up my Artistic Program ideas...

Artistic program (singles, seniors)

Format

Length: 3.25 minutes.
Music: Vocal, instrumental or a combination of the two. Use of multiple composers and artists, a capella music and percussion-only music are allowed.

Presentation requirements
  • Costumes including leotards, shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, dresses, skirts, the kilt, pants, shorts, leggings, tights, unitards and catsuits in any colour/s, with decoration, are allowed. However, the skater’s torso must be fully covered.
  • Decorations must be firmly fixed to the costume. An element of the costume falling onto the ice comprises a presentation requirement violation.
  • Hair may be worn in any style appropriate to the program. Hair ornaments, headbands and sports hijabs in any style and colour appropriate to the program are permitted.
NB Presentation requirement violations will result in a 1-point penalty per violation being deducted from the total program score.

Program element requirements

Jumps
  • 1 x solo jumping pass, with transitions immediately preceding and following the jump.
  • 1 x jump sequence pass, with transitions immediately preceding and following the sequence (2- and 3-jump sequences are permitted; all jumps must be separated by a change of edge).
  • 1 x artistic jumping pass, comprising at least 2 listed jumps linked by steps and unlisted jumps, with all jumps separated by steps.
Spins
  • 1 x spin in one position, with transitions immediately preceding and following the spin.
  • 1 x linked spin sequence with 2 spins of at least 2 positions each linked by steps, with transitions immediately preceding and following the sequence.
  • 1 x artistic spin with transitions immediately preceding and following the spin.
Steps and edge moves
  • 1 x artistic step sequence travelling from short end to short end of the rink in a clear pattern, focusing on edge control, speed, flow and movement across the ice.
  • 1 x choreographic sequence containing at least 2 edge elements of at least 5 seconds' duration each, linked by steps. Sliding movements and unlisted jumps are permitted.
Assessment

Assessment of the artistic program will be divided into individual elements and global skills. These will be assessed by separate judging panels of five members each.

Individual elements

Each element will be worth a fixed amount, with supplemental base value added where transition requirements are met Number of revolutions/positions in jumping/spinning elements will not alter the element’s BV.

GOE of elements and GOE of transitions are not linked and will vary as much as necessary to reflect the quality of each component of the pass.
  • First-tier elements (lowest BV): solo jumping pass, spin in one position.
  • Second-tier elements (medium BV): jump sequence pass, linked spin sequence.
  • Third-tier elements (medium-high BV): artistic jumping pass, artistic spin.
  • Fourth-tier elements (highest BV): artistic step sequence, choreographic sequence.
NB Failure to complete any required element will result in a “null” call. The element will receive 0 points, and a 1-point penalty will be applied to the final individual elements score. Failure to include required transitions will not result in a “null” call, but supplemental BV and GOE will not be awarded in these cases.

Global skills

As skating skills and transitions are assessed in the individual elements, the global skills assessed in the artistic program will be program composition, interpretation of the music and performance. The scores of these global skills are not linked and may vary as much as necessary to reflect the skater's skill range across categories. The total global skills score will be factored so that a theoretical perfect global skills score would approximately equal a theoretical perfect individual elements score.

NB For falls and other significant errors outside of required individual elements, a 1-point penalty will be deducted from the final Global Skills score.

Still feeling :EVILLE: , just for reference...
 
Finally got around to writing up my Artistic Program ideas...

Interesting.

Length: 3.25 minutes.

Is that +/- 10 (or another number of) seconds? Or maximum 3.25 minutes? Or it must be exactly 3 minutes 15 seconds with penalties for going 1 or 2 seconds under or over?

Presentation requirements
  • Costumes including leotards, shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, dresses, skirts, the kilt, pants, shorts, leggings, tights, unitards and catsuits in any colour/s, with decoration, are allowed. However, the skater’s torso must be fully covered.


  • Do I understand correctly that means that any type of costume is allowed as long as the torso is fully covered?

    Does illusion fabric count? Are men allowed to show more bare skin than women? Do the clavicles and sternum need to be covered or are scoop necks, etc., permitted?

    Program element requirements

    Jumps
  • 1 x jump sequence pass, with transitions immediately preceding and following the sequence (2- and 3-jump sequences are permitted; all jumps must be separated by a change of edge).
  • 1 x artistic jumping pass, comprising at least 2 listed jumps linked by steps and unlisted jumps, with all jumps separated by steps.

    When you say "all jumps must be separated by a change of edge" do you mean an edge change from backward outside to backward inside, or vice versa for a jump landed on the opposite foot, and nothing else?
    So after a jump landed on the BO edge, the only legal second jumps would be salchow or flip in the opposite direction, or walley or toe walley in the same direction?
    And after a jump landed on the back inside edge of the opposite foot, the legal second jumps would be loop or toe loop in the opposite direction, or lutz in the same direction?

    Or is it legal to change from a backward to a forward edge (i.e., a one-foot turn such as a counter)? Or to include one-foot turns in addition to or instead of edge change in the jump sequence or in addition to or instead of steps and unlisted jumps in the artistic jumping pass?

    Assessment

    Assessment of the artistic program will be divided into individual elements and global skills. These will be assessed by separate judging panels of five members each.

    Can smaller competitions (or rather, multilevel/multidiscipline competitions with small numbers of seniors entered in the artistic event) use fewer judges on each panel and/or combine panels?

    Individual elements

    Each element will be worth a fixed amount, with supplemental base value added where transition requirements are met Number of revolutions/positions in jumping/spinning elements will not alter the element’s BV.

    NB Failure to complete any required element will result in a “null” call. The element will receive 0 points, and a 1-point penalty will be applied to the final individual elements score.

    So there are limits on freedom/creativity in the sense that all elements are required and there are penalties for not including one or more, beyond just not earning the points.

    As skating skills and transitions are assessed in the individual elements,
    Can you explain how? How do the supplemental GOEs work?

    the global skills assessed in the artistic program will be program composition, interpretation of the music and performance. The scores of these global skills are not linked and may vary as much as necessary to reflect the skater's skill range across categories.

    I would expect that Program Composition would be somewhat linked skating ability demonstrated, whereas it could be possible for even nonskaters to demonstrate strong skills in interpretation of music and in performance even while standing still, lying on the ice, etc.

    If one has to be a senior-level skater to enter the event, then we can expect they are indeed skaters -- and they will need to skate to execute the elements. But there's no requirement that they do skate for most of the program, or to earn high scores for those two components?

    Still feeling :EVILLE: , just for reference...

    Indeed.
 

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