2026-27 Levels of Difficulty and GOE updates

[gsk8]

The International Skating Union (ISU) released updated Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for marking Grade of Execution and Program Components as part of its 2026-27 Figure Skating Rule Changes for singles and pair skating. The new communication replaces the rules used during the 2025-26 season and introduces changes to step sequences, spins, jump combinations, death spirals, and choreographic elements.

Key updates to levels of difficulty and GOE guidelines for 2026-27 figure skating season

2026-27 Figure Skating Rule Changes: Key Updates to Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines The International Skating Union (ISU) released updated Levels

www.goldenskate.com

 

[noskates]

Hmmm - very interesting. I interpret these changes to further advance the concept that there is more to figure skating than quad jumps. In pairs, if I read this right, the "carry" positions are devalued? I think Miura and Kihara were famous for one of those moves. (and the spiteful me wonders how many more times Tara is going to feel the need to say "grade of execution" with these changes.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

The Basic Level for Step Sequences will be quite a thing to reach for children? As to the body movements, I really appreciate that it's added to the rule, for top skaters, but the past has shown that the previous rule wasn't always implemented (I know at least one skater who never had in his "top years" body/arm movements endangering his balance for a third of the Step Sequence, I don't think even a tenth, and who would always get a Level 4). I think that many Senior skaters already have body movements on difficult clusters, for others it will be a challenge, and in my opinion it's likely to encourage Junior skaters to work more on the ease/proficiency on their Steps, at the only condition, not respected until now, of an accurate scoring. With automated scoring assistance, a (Mathematics) Function of the Center of Gravity position (not taking into account the small differences of density between body parts) to the vertical of the blades would be used, maybe taking into account body axis. If some skaters can do away with not respecting this new rule while getting the points, we won't have progressed, it will just be a new handicap imposed on the less favoured.
For the Twizzle two-turn requirement, will they need two really full rotations like Spins? I believe that it would limit the "creativity" in Step Sequence choreography, preventing the Step Sequence to change direction slightly this way?

(I have no idea of the effect of the requirement change in Pairs skating.)

The Windmills in Spins have, I think, a long history of changes? Did they need three rotations before too?
I'm not a keen/competent observer of Spins but arent difficult changes of position on one foot a highlight on some Spins?

Eulers were already if not explicitly, factually forbidden in the Short Program, as no three-jump Combination is allowed? Is there a reason for stating what seems to me obvious?
The same goes with the Free Skate "statement of the obvious" that only one Euler is allowed between two listed jumps in the Free Skate, as there's a maximum of three jumps in a Combination or Sequence, and Skaters don't jump a Loop (which could be popped) after an Euler, only a Salchow or a Flip Jump?
What are the implications of the loss of any value in the Euler? Will it be called downgraded when necessary? Is it that beautiful, real Eulers are no more to be rewarded, or will they still be accounted for in the Grade of Execution of the Combination?

The two-Jumps limitation for Pairs had been announced a few years ago and I was really sorry for Alyona Kostornaya and Gyorgy Kunitsa... less so for others. It's even worse if other teams can do an Euler Combination.
(I have no idea about the Death Spirals.)

What are Choreographic Spins and Lifts?

 

[noskates]

Not sure but I think the choreographic spins and lifts are when the man lifts the girl off the ice and just turns around with her??? Alexa, for example, put her hands on Brandon's shoulder, he put his hands on her hips and lifted her, turned around and put her back down on the ice. That's what came to my mind when i read it. I'm technically challenged or I would find the clip. Danny and Ellie did something like that as well.

 

[yfan1]

I really need to see it, but I'd hope that this causes some of the step sequences to get simplified a bit. I do not like that features 4 and 5 are linked together, but this is better than nothing. I think I'd at least like to see the 1/3rd pattern body movement requirement gone the most.

Hoping the windmills feature phases out the difficult spin exits, because most of those were an eyesore. I can't believe I'm missing the Kostner type windmills compared to the difficult exits...

Would rather they'd kept difficult change of position on the same foot instead of difficult exits...

Difficult non-basic position gone is annoying, some looked nice... I think pancake at some point was this? Is it still?

 

[gsk8]

Which rule change do you think will have the biggest impact on programs next season?

 

[4everchan]

the one less jumping pass. I think it will allow skaters a bit more time to address some of the issues mentioned in many threads/posts

 

[yfan1]

The Euler being an unlisted jump hopefully helps too - but I wish they'd downgraded the axel+axel sequences. Those are hideous.

 

[gsk8]

Axel-Axel seq is not my favorite either (in pairs), but I do think it should be rewarded accordingly.

 

[yfan1]

+Axel (and +Axel+Axel) sequences are overrewarded. Recall +2Axels were actually used by those who couldn't do +3T combinations properly before (Ashley Wagner, as an example). The landing gives you more ability to step up into the axel and get better lift. This applies to the second +Axel in a three jump sequence too.

+2Axel sequences as they stand are beating +2Lo combos, which is such nonsense. In this system, a 3A+3A beats a 3A+3Lo. Ask anyone, and they'd tell you the latter is much harder. They should really be ranked as +Toe<+Axel<+Loop for the same number of rotations.

 

[gsk8]

I don't think the issue is that Axel or Axel–Axel sequences are "easy" so much as whether they're becoming too efficient as a scoring strategy. Axel sequences still take strong technique, speed, and consistency, so I understand why the ISU wants to reward them.

For me, the bigger question isn't whether they should be downgraded outright, but whether the current Scale of Values is giving the right balance between difficulty and reward.

 

[4everchan]

The axel sequence problem is similar to the Euler of past years : many look awful yet judges do not penalize enough for their awkwardness.

There are a few skaters who do them well. I love Gogo's 3Flip into 3axel and it should be rewarded when well done. But gosh, so many skaters have hesitant wobbly axel sequences, especially in pairs, and yet, do not get penalized enough for them. I'd rather see a 2a-3t well landed then a 3t-2a poorly landed. BTW, that's a bit of an issue too. How can a 2a-3t be worth the same as a 3t-2a ? I think the Lower BV was too harsh in the past... but should it be full BV ?

A jump combo or sequence should feel like stone skipping. I like how the Russians call it "cascade".

Not always the case unfortunately.

 

[yfan1]

I don't think the issue is that Axel or Axel–Axel sequences are "easy" so much as whether they're becoming too efficient as a scoring strategy.

They're easier than they're given credit for.

We saw 4S+3A as an example. Ask same skater to do 4S+3Lo.

And for that matter, now with the Euler not getting credit, 3A+4S and 4S+3A will both get same credit - that's not correct either.

3A+4T is also harder than 4T+3A.

Axel sequences still take strong technique, speed, and consistency, so I understand why the ISU wants to reward them.

I disagree, it's precisely that some skaters lack the speed out of the jump to be doing a +loop or a (higher order) +toe loop that they choose +Axels. Ashley Wagner was definitely that person, you can step up into the Axel better.

Even in the +Axel+Axel cases you see how there's barely any speed left after the first +Axel, and the next one nearly always is muscled, swingy, and lacks any speed out.

 

[gsk8]

I think you're making a stronger distinction than I was. I wouldn't say Axel sequences are automatically easier in every case, but I can see the argument that they may be rewarded more generously than their relative difficulty in some situations.

Examples like 4S+3A versus 4S+3Lo or 3A+4T versus 4T+3A get into the question of entry mechanics and momentum. Not all combinations ask for the same level of control, timing, or maintained speed. If the current rules give similar rewards to layouts that many people would view as different in difficulty, then that's a Scale of Values issue.

I also agree that some skaters may use +Axels because they fit their jump technique better. But others may choose them because they genuinely suit their strengths rather than because they're avoiding something harder. That's why I think the bigger debate is whether the scoring system is correctly separating difficulty, not whether Axel sequences themselves should automatically be treated as easier elements.

 

[NanaPat]

Eulers were already if not explicitly, factually forbidden in the Short Program, as no three-jump Combination is allowed? Is there a reason for stating what seems to me obvious?
The same goes with the Free Skate "statement of the obvious" that only one Euler is allowed between two listed jumps in the Free Skate, as there's a maximum of three jumps in a Combination or Sequence, and Skaters don't jump a Loop (which could be popped) after an Euler, only a Salchow or a Flip Jump?

If Eulers are no longer counted as a jump, they need new language to limit them. The results are the same as currently, just described differently. Since Euler no longer counts a a jump, it isn't covered under 3-jump limits and needs its own explicit limits. Sometimes the obvious needs stating! Especially when, without statement, it wouldn't be obvious (or even true) at all.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

If Eulers are no longer counted as a jump, they need new language to limit them. The results are the same as currently, just described differently. Since Euler no longer counts a a jump, it isn't covered under 3-jump limits and needs its own explicit limits. Sometimes the obvious needs stating! Especially when, without statement, it wouldn't be obvious (or even true) at all.

Ah thank you!

I think you're making a stronger distinction than I was. I wouldn't say Axel sequences are automatically easier in every case, but I can see the argument that they may be rewarded more generously than their relative difficulty in some situations.

Examples like 4S+3A versus 4S+3Lo or 3A+4T versus 4T+3A get into the question of entry mechanics and momentum. Not all combinations ask for the same level of control, timing, or maintained speed. If the current rules give similar rewards to layouts that many people would view as different in difficulty, then that's a Scale of Values issue.

I also agree that some skaters may use +Axels because they fit their jump technique better. But others may choose them because they genuinely suit their strengths rather than because they're avoiding something harder. That's why I think the bigger debate is whether the scoring system is correctly separating difficulty, not whether Axel sequences themselves should automatically be treated as easier elements.

Is the problem the Sequence, or is it that +Lo Combinations are harder, need more precision? When Sequences got a cut in Base Value, I was still seeing comments that a 3Lo + 3T had the same Base Value (and then, a stronger Grade of Execution potential) as a much more difficult 3T + 3Lo. In my opinion, the debate isn't about Sequences, it's about the reward of +Lo Combinations and Sequences in today's scoring rules. Therefore, I would rather see a (small) Bonus on +Lo jumps. I wouldn't want to encourage hip problems either!

 

[yfan1]

If Eulers are no longer counted as a jump, they need new language to limit them. The results are the same as currently, just described differently. Since Euler no longer counts a a jump, it isn't covered under 3-jump limits and needs its own explicit limits. Sometimes the obvious needs stating! Especially when, without statement, it wouldn't be obvious (or even true) at all.

This is all underlined in the document, which means it's new.

Jump combinations:
An Euler (half-loop) is considered a non-listed jump, it will have no value when used in a
jump combination between two listed jumps and it will not be counted in the number of
the allowed jumps of the concerned jump combination.
An Euler jump cannot be included in the jump combination of the Short Program. An Euler
(half-loop) can be executed, in between two listed jumps, only once in Free Skating.
Jump sequences:
An Euler (half-loop) is considered a non-listed jump, it will have no value when used in a
jump sequence between two listed jumps and it will not be counted in the number of the
allowed jumps of the concerned jump sequence. After the execution of an Euler (half- loop)
no change of foot before the next jump is allowed. An Euler (half-loop) can only be executed
once, in between two listed jumps, in Free Skating.

 

[yfan1]

I also agree that some skaters may use +Axels because they fit their jump technique better. But others may choose them because they genuinely suit their strengths rather than because they're avoiding something harder.

We cannot go by how some do things, or what's hard for some but not for others, but rather by the general mechanics. As an example, I believe Slutskaya used to find +3Lo easier than +3T. Mao Asada used to be able to execute +3Lo better as well. But no one says +3T needs to be done in case by case basis.

In this case, I think it's just easier to kick up into an axel after a landing.

 

[gsk8]

We cannot go by how some do things, or what's hard for some but not for others, but rather by the general mechanics. As an example, I believe Slutskaya used to find +3Lo easier than +3T. Mao Asada used to be able to execute +3Lo better as well. But no one says +3T needs to be done in case by case basis.

In this case, I think it's just easier to kick up into an axel after a landing.

And that's why I said, ".... I think the bigger debate is whether the scoring system is correctly separating difficulty, not whether Axel sequences themselves should automatically be treated as easier elements."

 

[gsk8]

Which rule change do you think will have the biggest impact next season — and why? What others are being overlooked?