Answers to Questions from Coaches Conference Call on ISU 1445 May 17, :30 p.m. ET

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1 nswers to Questions from Coaches Conference Call on ISU 1445 May 17, :30 p.m. ET The following notes are not rules and should not be used as a substitute for the ISU Communication They are answers to questions that have been brought up by coaches, skaters and officials. The questions have been answered to the best of our ability with the resources we presently have. Diligence has been given to the answers provided; however, at times, interpretations may vary even between members of the Technical Committee. Where this happens, we will do our best to seek out further clarification. s we all know, this system is dynamic and not static in structure. With that said, changes will be inevitable as the season continues. Please keep checking U.S. Figure Skating Online for the most upto-date information. General Notes from the Call The ISU will be coming out with further clarifications to ISU Communication 1445 in the near future. Because of this, we will not be answering any questions on step sequences or jump sequences until this clarification is published. Spiral Sequences (SpSq) The rules for receiving levels for spiral sequences (SpSq) have not changed much from the rules. The significant changes are as follows: Only the first three attempted spiral positions will count in determining the level Pattern can now be any combination of curves pattern that is bigger and more full would still be rewarded in the grade of execution (GOE) Backward inside spiral is no longer mandatory for feature 1 (ISU 1445, pg. 4) Feature 3 second difficult variation on a different foot than the first one (ISU 1445, pg. 4) is new Feature 6 free leg in a total split position, one or both arms hold possible has removed the specification that the free leg be sideways or forward (ISU 1445, pg. 4). The unsupported spiral position with the leg sideways or forward is no longer a Level feature by itself, but it is still a spiral position and can be included in the number of executed positions. It can only be considered for a Level feature when it is a difficult variation of a position (i.e. affects the core body and balance). You can double dip on spiral positions, which means you can get more than one feature on one spiral position Spiral positions are classified by three things: 1) skating leg (left or right), 2) edge (outside or inside) and 3) position of the free leg (backward, forward or sideways). The position of the free leg is relative to the body, not the actual shape of the leg (i.e. straight vs. bent vs. Biellmann). To receive credit for spiral sequence (SpSq) feature #5 unsupported change of free leg position the skater must hold the position before the change for three seconds and then hold the position after the change for three seconds. Spiral sequence (SpSq) feature #6 free leg in a total split requires a split of at least 170 degrees to be considered a total split Q ISU 1445, page 5: Change of position in Spirals change of free leg position and a change of edge must be done not at the same time in order to be counted as features for a Level. Would a skater be allowed to change from a regular spiral position to a difficult variation (i.e. right forward outside spiral with free leg behind, change to right forward inside spiral in a Biellmann position) during the change of edge? The skaters were allowed to do such a change last year after a clarification. Yes, this is allowed, as long as the change of position is executed after the skater has changed to the right forward inside (RFI) edge. 1 of 6

2 Q Please clarify the change of edge spiral with a difficult variation in it. Does that mean the spiral with the difficult variation in it must have a 6 second hold--3 seconds in each position after or before the edge change? The change of edge spiral is subject to the same rules as last year. In order to receive credit for a Level, the skater would need to hold the first edge for three seconds prior to the change of edge and the second edge for three seconds following the change of edge. ny time the skater spends on a flat does not count. Q Is a spiral that changes edge but not free leg or body position counted as two separate spirals, i.e. right forward outside spiral (held three seconds) change to right forward inside spiral (held three seconds)? Yes, these would be two separate spirals and would take up two of the three positions that can be considered for levels. Q If a skater does a forward outside spiral with the leg in front, is that counted as a different position than a forward outside spiral with the leg behind? Yes (ISU 1445, pg. 1, #1) Q Is it correct that to get a level 4 spiral sequence you must get all features on the first three spirals attempted? Yes (ISU 1445, pg. 1, #1) Q Is the following a Level 4 spiral sequence: right forward inside (RFI) spiral with a difficult variation (held for three seconds); change of edge to a right forward outside (RFO) spiral, after the change of edge, change to a Biellmann position still in the RFO spiral (held for three seconds); right forward outside three turn into back crossovers followed by a left back outside (LBO) spiral with the foot in front (held for three seconds) and then moving the free leg with an unassisted change of free leg position into a left back outside (LBO) spiral with the foot behind (held for three seconds)? No, and here s an explanation as to why. The RFI with the difficult variation would get credit for one feature (#2) difficult variation of position. The RFO would get credit for one feature (#4) change of edge in a spiral (three seconds hold before and after the change). The RFO spiral would not get credit for the difficult variation of the Biellmann, as the second difficult variation must be on a different foot than the first one. So far, the spiral sequence is up to a level 2. The LBO spiral with the foot in front is the third spiral position, and thus, the last one that would count for features, so the unassisted change of free leg position into a LBO with the foot behind would not count. However, since the skater has done a RFO, RFI and LBO spiral, she would receive one feature (#1) for three spiral positions with change of foot, forward & backward, inside & outside, so assuming that all positions are held for the required three seconds on edges, the spiral sequence would receive a level 3. Spins The rule changes were the most significant in the area of spins. There are ten points to remember for the rule changes. 1. Layback went from four possible features in to seven possible features in In singles free skating, any repeated spin receives a 0 (no points) 3. Basic and intermediate spin positions are now defined and will be used by all technical specialists. nything not fitting the definition of one of the basic positions is an intermediate position. 4. Change of edge counts only in the basic position (this includes a difficult variation of a basic position). You cannot get a feature for a change of edge in an intermediate position. 2 of 6

3 5. To get two features for two changes of edge in a combination spin with a change of foot (CCoSp), the second change of edge must be on a different foot and in a different basic position. 6. For any combination spin (CCoSp or CoSp), a difficult variation counts, even if it is in an intermediate position. 7. Going from a basic position to an intermediate position does not count as a change of position in a combination spin. 8. In order to get a Level 4 in a combination spin with a change of foot (CCoSp) it is mandatory that the spin have all three basic positions. s an example, a spin that has a forward camel, forward sit spin and a back upright would fulfill this requirement. Having all three basic positions on each foot is a feature (#5), and is separate from the mandatory requirement 9. flying sit spin landing on the opposite foot (i.e. flying reverse sit spin) would now receive credit for a Level feature provided that the sit position is attained in the air. 10. There is no penalty for doing an intermediate position in any spin (i.e. a spin in one position can t be called a combination spin). ISU 1445, pg. 1, #3: ll spins must be of a different character (must have different abbreviations). FCSSp (sit spin with a flying entry and a change of foot) and FSSp (sit spin with a flying entry) are of a different character. Flying into a spin versus not flying into a spin changes the character of the spin because it changes the abbreviation (adds an F to the abbreviation). back entry into a spin does not change the character of the spin. So, as an example, a back sit spin (no change of position or foot) would be considered the same character as a forward sit spin (no change of position or foot). You can still fly into all spins in the free skate difficult variation of a basic position is still considered a basic position n clear increasing of speed is a difficult variation in a camel, sit or layback spin as long as it is held for at least two rotations (ISU 1445, pg. 5) Q For spins, when they say in a basic position such as change of edge can be counted only if done in a basic position does that mean upright, camel or sit including their variations, i.e. would a back outside sit spin in a regular sit position changing to forward inside sit spin in a pancake position count as change of edge (as well as difficult variation)? change of edge can be done in a plain basic position or in a variation of a basic position. This is example is a change of edge done in a variation of a sit spin, and It would count as a change of edge and a difficult variation. Q Does the backward entrance feature still allow for the entrance to be from a forward inside three turn (i.e. right forward inside three turn into right back outside sit spin)? For spins in singles and for solo (i.e. side by side) spins in pairs, a backward entrance from a forward inside three turn is still a feature. However, for pairs spins (PSp) and pairs combination spins (PCoSp) this is no longer a feature for a Level. Q Pair spin feature 2 Entrance from backward outside edge : Does this eliminate the forward inside three turn entrance as in a catch waist camel with both partners entering by executing a right forward inside three turn to a right back outside camel? This is correct. This option is eliminated and the above example would not count as a feature in a pair spin or a pair spin combination. Q Four changes of position is no longer a feature in the combination spin with a change of foot (CCoSp)? Correct. Four changes of position is no longer a feature in the CCoSp. 3 of 6

4 Q I need more clarification between basic, intermediate and difficult variation positions. Last year my skater did camel w/ change of edge, pancake, layback, back camel into catch foot camel, back tuck (sit variation). She received a Level 4 for this spin with features being two difficult variations, one change of edge and all of the positions with at least four changes of position. Provided that all positions are held for the required number of revolutions and fulfill the requirements to receive features, the spin example above would receive credit for change of edge in the forward camel (one feature), pancake position as a difficult variation of a basic forward sit (one feature), a backward catch foot camel as a second difficult variation of a basic back camel (different foot and different position from the first difficult variation pancake position) (one feature). The tuck position would not receive credit for a feature, as the skater has already received features for her two difficult variations. The skater has achieved all three basic positions, but not on each foot. The spin did not have a backward entrance, a flying entrance or a difficult change of foot, and it did not spin in both directions as it was explained here, so under the rules, this spin would now be called a Level 3. Q Continuation of previous question: What level would it be if the skater changed the spin to a camel with change of edge, basic sit, pancake, layback, back camel with catch foot camel, back sit? This would also be a Level 3. The pancake position is considered a difficult variation of a basic sit spin, so doing a plain basic sit spin prior to the pancake spin does not change the level. In order to get this spin and the spin in the previous question to a Level 4, the skater needs to add an upright position in the back spin, start from a backward or flying entrance other than a regular flying camel, add a change of edge in a sit spin or an upright spin on the second foot (since the change of edge was done in a camel spin on the first foot), add a difficult change of foot, or spin in both directions immediately following each other. (Hint: of all of these options, adding the upright spin on the second foot is probably the easiest.) Q In the layback spin - would a traditional layback for 8 revolutions plus a sideways one for three and a haircutter for three be a Level 3? Yes, this would be a Level 3 provided that all positions are held for the required number of revolutions and fulfill the requirements to receive features. The eight revolutions in a traditional layback would receive credit for feature #5 and would also count toward the three revolutions backward for feature #6, which is satisfied with the three revolutions sideways. The haircutter, provided it is held for at least two revolutions, then counts as a difficult variation, which is feature #1. Q Can a junior lady start the layback in the long program with a back entry, then switch to a forward layback? No. The layback spin in the junior and senior ladies short programs cannot change feet. Q In spins, is it correct that three revolutions are required in each basic position with two of these revolutions in a feature for all spins, except for the layback which requires three revolutions in each feature after establishing the basic layback with three revolutions? No, this is not correct. To receive credit for a basic position, it must be held for at least two revolutions. This can be done as a plain basic position, as a variation of a basic position, or as a combination of the two. In order to receive credit for a difficult variation, the skater must hold that difficult variation for at least two revolutions. The only exception to this is the solo layback spin (i.e. a layback that is not part of a combination spin). For this solo layback spin, the skater must hold the basic layback for three revolutions before doing a difficult variation; but difficult variations still only need to be held for two revolutions to 4 of 6

5 receive credit as a feature. (Note: you still can t do a Biellmann position in a solo layback in the junior or senior ladies short program until after eight revolutions have been achieved in the layback spin.) Q For pairs teams in the free program only (not in the short program): if a team does a solo spin combination with three changes of foot, the second change of foot would be a feature (#6), but a third change of foot would not get a feature; correct? Correct. Q I am confused by the term intermediate positions and how they fit into all the spins. It sounds like they don't count as change of positions but do count as difficult variations. n intermediate position is a position that doesn t fit the definition of a basic sit spin, basic camel spin or basic upright spin. For example, an attempted sit spin where the skater s buttocks are higher than the knee of the skating leg would be an intermediate position because it no longer fits the definition of a sit spin position. If a skater were to do a difficult variation in this position in a combination spin, he/she would receive credit for a level feature (provided it meets all other criteria), but it would not count as a change of position (ISU 1445, pg. 1, #2 & ISU 1445, pg. 4). If a skater were to do a difficult variation in an intermediate position in a spin in one position or a flying spin, he or she would not get credit for a level feature, but the rotations done in the intermediate position would count in the total number of revolutions (ISU 1445, pg. 1, #2). Q With the change of item #3 for Spins (ISU 1445, pg. 1, #3) all spins must be of a different character (must have different abbreviations) can you have FCCoSp and CCoSp in the same free skate? Yes, this would be o.k. (i.e. both spins would count). Flying into a spin versus not flying into a spin changes the character of the spin because it changes the abbreviation (adds an F to the abbreviation). Jumps Q ISU 1445, pg. 1, #4: What is an "obvious" incorrect edge on a flip or Lutz compared to a not obvious one? This seems like a gray area for the callers. In this rule, obvious means that the technical panel cannot review the jump take off in slow motion and must be able to detect the incorrect take-off edge when watching the jump at normal speed. Death Spiral Q Item 10: Death Spiral having the lady s lowest hip below the skating knee will wipe out 95% of all death spirals. Some very good ones as well. I just took a quick look at the 2006 Olympic champion s forward inside death spiral and her hip is a couple inches above the skating knee because she is SO low. The death spiral was excellent in both the lady s position and the man s pivot, but if they take this literally it would not have counted. HELP. We are waiting for further clarification on this. We can t speculate until those clarification are put forth by the ISU. Q ISU 1445, pg. 7, under the definition of a death spiral states that for at least one full revolution the man should stay in a low pivot position. What if the death spiral goes for three revolutions? Does the man have to be in the low position for all three revolutions? 5 of 6

6 Yes, in order to receive credit for a feature in any additional revolution(s), the man would need to be in a low position for those additional revolution(s). Q Does an around-the-world still count in the girl s revolution count as long as the man keeps his arm straight during the around the world? Yes. Q Does item #10 (ISU 1445, pg. 2) the new definition of the lady s position in the death spiral eliminate the backward inside death spiral where the lady is looking at the man? Yes. Lifts Q ISU 1445, pg 2, item #9: The last sentence states that The Lift s Group is determined by the hold at the moment the lady passes the man s shoulder. What part of the lady s body constitutes passing the man s shoulder? The purpose of this rule is to help clarify the calling of lifts that begin with a dance lift. The lift will still be called by the hold when the man starts to press the lift up. Q It states that a spread eagle into the lift by the man counts as a difficult entrance. It was stated at a pairs seminar that if a male skater did this, it would add an additional ½ turn to a lasso lift revolution count, as the man s right foot would be going backwards at the start of the lift. Is this correct? Yes, this half turn would count toward the total number of turns allowed by the man during the lift (minimum of one, maximum of three and a half). Twist Lifts Q Twist Lift feature # 3- Ladies position in the air with arm(s) above the head : How much of the arm must be above the head (when a lady holds her arm straight above her head the only part of the arm above her head is approximately from the elbow to the fingers)? Does the arm have to be straight or can it be severely bent over her head? s long as part of the arm is above the head for a minimum of one full revolution, the team will achieve feature #3, regardless of whether the arm(s) is/are bent or straight, and any consideration for quality will be taken into consideration in the grade of execution (GOE). If only the hand(s) is/are above the head, feature #3 will not be achieved. U.S. Figure Skating Rule 4022D. (2007 U.S. Figure Skating rulebook, pg. 584). This rule refers to the short program for pairs, generally. Q dditional jumps, lifts and partner assisted jumps are not allowed. Can we assume this refers to full lifts and throws only? One of the features in some short program elements is a dance lift before or after the element (for example, a dance lift into the required lift). In other words is it o.k. to execute small dance lifts in the short program? Yes, small dance lifts are still allowed in the short program. 6 of 6