Watch out for:
* Equality between the partners. In some teams, one partner (usually the girl) does a lot more of the difficult moves than the guy. Judges are now looking a lot more at the guy than before.
* Rotation in both directions, not just one, particularly on step sequences. Step sequences that only include turns in one direction are easier.
* Dance holds. Look for teams to change holds, not just keeping the same one. Also, closer and more complex holds are more difficult than open holds.
* Do you have any experience skating yourself? Try to learn to identify different turns. Some are more difficult than others. In singles and pairs programmes, you usually don't see much more than 3 turns and mohawks (apart from sometimes in step sequences). Dancers often also put in turns such as brackets, rockers, counters, and choctaws, which add difficulty.
* Look for the quality of the edges (depth, smoothness, flow - and not making snow as they skate or turn).
* Twizzles - look for unison, and that the turns are donw in quick succession (if they're more spread out, they're actually 3 turns, not twizzles). Doing them in both directions is also more difficult. And forward inside ones are the easiest, so look for teams that do other types - some of the teams at Euros did back outside and forward outside ones.
* In the lifts, the man going onto one foot (and holding it) adds a great deal more difficulty to the lift. Changing direction of rotation or changing hold/position in the lift also adds to it. Watch for security in the movements too.
* Interpretation of the music is also important - that the choreography is effective and fits the theme/music/skating style, is original, innovative, etc. You also want the elements to be well placed throughout the programme (and thoughtfully placed, eg. highlighting the music or choreography). Ideally, you also want the movements to flow into and out of one another - i.e. it not just being a case of crossovers - lift - crossovers. You also want a good variety in the moves, and originality in the moves themselves aswell as the choreography and the whole programme.
* Of course speed is important too, but you should also look at how they are gaining and maintaining speed. Is it through the moves alone and the power of their stroking, or simply through crossovers? Also, like all skating programme, a variation in speed is best. You also want the skaters to have unison in their lines, e.g. free leg height and extension.
As for the CDs - yes, it's good to have a bigger pattern, but it's judging whether they have a big pattern because their edges are shallow. Ideally, you want deep edges and also a big pattern, which also showcases speed.
Hope that helps!
