This year the Technical Committee for Synchronized Skating appears to be making changes to strengthen it's position for the Olympics and bring it back to its roots. As usual, some proposed rules seem to be inspired by certain teams. Proposed changes are:
(Watch the video here)
I'm a bit annoyed at the late start withdrawal. As the presenter said, many 60+ late starts are due to competitions running ahead of time and teams not adjusting. I don't think teams should be punished for the competition being ahead of schedule. For singles/pairs/dance, they just wait until they're back on time. Why can't they do this for synchro?
Interestingly enough, most of the proposals seem very popular with coaches - especially the posing moves.
The committee is interested to "plagiarize anything good you come up with and put it in the rules" - this seems to be a theme in synchro. This year it was mentioned in regards to the choreographic slide, as that was inspired by recent programs.
(Watch the video here)
- The "Team Russia 1 Rule" - If you don't have 16 skaters, you CANNOT compete at worlds. The only exception is if a skater is injured mid-program and cannot finish the performance.
- Note: Likely inspired by the fact that Team Russia 1 did not apply for visas for any alternate skaters; when visa issues arose for one skater, they had to compete with 15 skaters. It appears they're trying to address that poor planning, as even teams from small federations had the full 16 skaters with at least one alternate. The guy seemed really annoyed based on his tone.
- If 16 skaters are not present, the team will be automatically WD without appeal.
- All injured skaters must have their injury confirmed by an ISU doctor.
- For International Competitions (non-championship) you will get a -5.00 deduction.
- Music will be started in the same manner as the other disciplines: music will start when team is in place, but there will be a deduction if the team doesn't start in 30 Seconds. If the team doesn't start in 60 Seconds, the team will be considered withdrawn.
- Previously, unlike the other disciplines, the music would automatically be started at the 30 Second mark
- Fall deductions are changed so max fall deductions per element is -3.00 (1.00 for one fall, 2.00 for two falls)
- The "Haydenettes Rule #2" Changes will be made to encourage teams to skate as a team, as opposed to individual skaters
- The Hayden organization led the charge of emphasizing individual skills (ie. 6+ different types of spins as a "creative element", 2As, etc.) as opposed to skating as a team unit; that trend has expanding since
- Haydenettes Rule #1 was "no garish make-up" aka no rhinestones on the face - again mentioned here and explained as a safety issue
- No more than 5 seconds of stoppage in a program
- I'm sure there's a team that inspired this, but tons of teams do it
- Reduced FS length to 4:00 minutes to match singles/pairs/dance
- Wanting faster paced programs with shorter transitions
- Element Changes
- Artistic elements (Circle, Line, Wheel) - a change in level requirements to decrease time in elements and encourage creativity within the elements
- Creative Element - making it more discrete
- Combined element changed to Mixed Element
- Approach is start of intersection
- To make sure the judges can see everything happening on the ice:
- Lifts & Moves elements must remain within 1/2 of the ice surface
- NHE has Twizzles Removed
- Twizzles are now a separate element and must be done separate from NHE
- Group Spin is a spin executed by 3+ skaters together
- Choreographic sequence is added, may include choreographic slide
- 135 Spirals are renamed Upright Extensions
- 2+ crossovers in a row are now allowed (although the ban will be brought back if the rule is abused), but crossovers should be minimized
I'm a bit annoyed at the late start withdrawal. As the presenter said, many 60+ late starts are due to competitions running ahead of time and teams not adjusting. I don't think teams should be punished for the competition being ahead of schedule. For singles/pairs/dance, they just wait until they're back on time. Why can't they do this for synchro?
Interestingly enough, most of the proposals seem very popular with coaches - especially the posing moves.
The committee is interested to "plagiarize anything good you come up with and put it in the rules" - this seems to be a theme in synchro. This year it was mentioned in regards to the choreographic slide, as that was inspired by recent programs.
