Proposal # 9 Step sequences
9. Step Sequences
a) General description
All step sequences should be executed according to the character of the music and should make full use of ice technique. All step sequences may contain a variety of different turns -- threes, brackets, rockers, counters as wells as mohawks and chocktaws-- or always the same turn which can be done forward or backward, on the right or left foot or always on the same foot. They can be fast or slow. The sense of slow does not mean slow speed on the ice but a slow movement done in most cases with ice speed. However, a very slow ice speed with controlled movement can also be of credit to the skater. This all depends on the choreographic conception and interpretation.
Each step should be progressive and no retrogressions are allowed. However short stops in accordance with the music are permitted, as well as a limited number of spread eagles, Inna Bauer eagles and Walleys along the small jumps of half a turn rotation to give wider choreographic and artistic interest.
b) Musicality, style and presentation
The musicality of a step sequence means it translates the rhythm and melody into the skating movements.
The style of step sequences should be related to the total program conception and the music. The sequence must have a connection to the other parts of the program to be considered coherent. Style can vary from elegant to comic, tragic and satiric. Style is much related to presentation since the skater’s ability to project the style and convey the theme of the program to the public is vital to its success.
All step sequences will be judged on the harmony of content and the finesse of skating glide technique, the precision of edges, glide in and out of turns, free leg, back, arm, shoulder and head positions, musicality, style and presentation. The tempo of the movements can be very slow (adagio), medium (andante) or fast (allegro). The tempo of the execution will not change the number of GoE points. The GoE will depend on the total quality of the ice technique and the style. Even in fast step sequences, the type of turns should be clearly evident to the spectator’s eye. If rockers and counters are incorporated into "straight line" step sequences their entry and exit edges must be sufficiently defined curves to distinguish them from brackets and threes.
Reduced GoE
* Poor skating technique (shaky edges, badly scraped and skidded turns without edge control)
* Poor free leg, body, arm and head positions
* Poor musicality
* Weak presentation and style
* Too many steps and turns making it impossible to distinguish what they are.
* Too many body and arm movements giving a look of flailing unless the entire program has as its concept the theme of a "tornado"
* Exceeding "limited" content - i.e. too many Walleys, spins, short stops.
Increase GoE
* Turns executed with superior technique and style (good strong edges, clear smooth flowing turns)
* Excellent musicality
* Presentation and style very convincing
* Well stretched and employed free leg. Artistic use of free leg and body positions.
* Body, arm and head movements enhance the step and convey the music
* Steps well conceived for the music and executed with taste in the style of the program.
* Steps and turns if done slowly with super control and flow or if rapid very clearly defined movement. All turns can be easily recognizable.
*
No excess of "limited" content
* Sequences shall be designated by pattern/type.
a) Straight line step sequence: base value basic 3.0
Commences approximately at one corner of the ice surface and ends near the diagonally opposite corner of the ice surface, or follows the long axis for the full length of the ice surface. Only one stop is allowed.
b) Circular step sequence: base value basic 3.0
Skated on a complete circle or oval utilizing the full width of the ice surface. The skating must be on a circle or oval without excessive sub-curves. Only one stop allowed.
c) Serpentine step sequence: base value basic 3.0
Commences at the end of the ice surface and progresses in two or three bold curves of not less than half of the width of the ice surface and ends at the opposite end of the ice surface. No stops allowed.
d) Spiral sequence: base value basic 4.0
Consists primarily of spirals, commencing at the end of the ice surface, progressing in bold curves and end at the opposite end of the ice surface (serpentine), or a circular or oval pattern the full width of the ice surface. There must be at least three spiral positions, with at least one change of foot. Pushes in order to gain speed are permitted. Except during these pushes the competitor must be primarily in a spiral position with the free leg higher than the hip joint. Variations of the position are permitted, including holding the free leg at any point, or the skate blade. The position of the free leg is otherwise free.
