A dumb question about spin scoring. | Golden Skate

A dumb question about spin scoring.

hippomoomin

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 30, 2012
I am seeking some expert explanation on how spins are scored regarding what factors matter and how each factor is weighted:

How much it is centered?
How fast it is?
How flexible a skater needs to be to have that position?
How pleasant it looks to the eye?
How innovative is that spin?
or any other element?
 

Krislite

Medalist
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Are you asking about GOE's on spins? Because base values are fixed and are derived on the number of level features a certain spin has. See this scale of values: http://usfigureskating.org/Content/201011-SP-SOV.pdf

GOE's are awarded based on the qualities you mention: centering, speed, control, balanced rotations, aesthetic position, creative/original variation, goes with music, more than required revolutions
 

hippomoomin

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 30, 2012
Are you asking about GOE's on spins? Because base values are fixed and are derived on the number of level features a certain spin has. See this scale of values: http://usfigureskating.org/Content/201011-SP-SOV.pdf

GOE's are awarded based on the qualities you mention: centering, speed, control, balanced rotations, aesthetic position, creative/original variation, goes with music, more than required revolutions


Thank you for the link. Yes, I mean GOE and more specifically, the if two skaters did the same camel spin, or layback spin (ideally almost same angle), how would one score with a faster rotation but not centered, and one centered with average speed?


Another case, if everting else is equal, how would Akiko's biellmann spin not pulling up hers legs as high as Radionova's suffer from GOE? How about if Akiko's spin have average speed but centered and Radionova's faster but traveling?
 

gkelly

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Yes, I mean GOE and more specifically, the if two skaters did the same camel spin, or layback spin (ideally almost same angle), how would one score with a faster rotation but not centered, and one centered with average speed?

The guidelines for marking GOE (positive and negative) are at the end of this document (ISU communication 1790)

The general approach is that judges are supposed to reward the good aspects of the element first and then reduce for errors or weaknesses. For errors in the left column, the final GOE must be negative.

For positive GOE, speed is one bullet point, ability to center quickly is one, and good control throughout all phases is one. So is good positions.

A faster spin is also more likely to achieve the more than required revolutions bullet point, although not necessarily.

The general guideline is that judges should give +1 for a spin that meets 2 of the bullet points, +2 if it meets 4, +3 if it meets 6. For odd numbers, they can use their judgment to round up or down. E.g., I think if there are only 3 bullet points, but they're all very good, not just "good," then +2 would be justified.

Poor positions, slow, and traveling are listed in the same line in the list of GOE reductions.
If only one of those things is wrong with the spin, the judge would probably lower the GOE by 1 step compared to what they'd give otherwise. But if it's very wrong (e.g., severe traveling), then they might take off 2 or 3 just for the one problem.

The judges aren't comparing one skater's spin to another's, but to their own mental standards for what meets or fails to meet the criteria for pluses and minuses.
 
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