Single skating facts for kids
Carolina Kostner at the 2009 World Championships
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| Highest governing body | International Skating Union |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Team members | Individuals |
| Equipment | Figure skates |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | Part of the Summer Olympics in 1908 and 1920; Part of the first Winter Olympics in 1924 to today |
Single skating is an exciting sport where individual skaters, both boys and girls, show off their skills on the ice. The International Skating Union (ISU) sets the rules for men's and women's single skating. Figure skating is the oldest winter sport in the Olympics. Single skating events first appeared at the 1908 London Summer Olympics.
Skaters perform two main routines in competitions: a shorter 'short program' and a longer 'free skating' program. As of early 2026, Nathan Chen from the United States holds the highest men's short program score. American skater Ilia Malinin earned the highest men's free skating score at the 2024 World Championships. Kamila Valieva from Russia holds the highest scores for both the women's short program and free skating.
Long ago, skaters had to perform 'compulsory figures,' which were special patterns traced on the ice. This is where the sport got its name! The ISU stopped requiring them in 1990.
To create an amazing performance, single skaters must include specific moves. These include exciting jumps, graceful spins, intricate step sequences, and creative choreographic sequences. Jumps are a big part of the sport. There are two main types: 'toe jumps' (like the toe loop, flip, and Lutz) where skaters use the toe pick of their skate to push off, and 'edge jumps' (like the Salchow, loop, and Axel) where they push off using the edge of their blade. A jump combination means doing two or more jumps right after each other.
Spins have three main positions: the camel, the sit spin, and the upright spin. Step sequences are patterns of steps and turns across the ice. A choreographic sequence is a creative mix of movements like steps, turns, spirals, and even small jumps, showing off the skater's artistry.
The ISU has clear rules for how these moves must be done. Skaters can lose points for things like going over or under time, issues with their music, problems with their costume, or if they fall or have to stop their program.
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History of Single Skating
The first international figure skating competition happened in Vienna in 1882. Skaters had to perform many 'compulsory figures' (patterns on the ice), a four-minute free skating program, and 'special figures' to show off their advanced moves. The first World Championships, organized by the new International Skating Union (ISU), took place in 1896. Only four men competed then.
The first woman to compete internationally was Madge Syers from England in 1902. She placed second! After this, the ISU created a separate category just for women in 1906. For a long time, women skaters were called 'ladies' in the rules, until the 2021–2022 season.
Figure skating is the oldest winter Olympic sport, starting in 1908. It was also one of the first sports to have a separate category for female athletes.
Competition Segments
Competitions have changed over the years:
- 1896–1973: Free Skating (FS) + Compulsory Figures (CF)
- 1973–1990: Short Program (SP) + Free Skating (FS) + Compulsory Figures (CF)
- 1990–Ongoing: Short Program (SP) + Free Skating (FS)
The Short Program (SP)
The short program is the first part of a single skating competition. It lasts about two minutes and 40 seconds for both junior and senior skaters. It was first used at the World Championships in 1973.
Nathan Chen from the United States earned the highest men's short program score (113.97 points) at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Kamila Valieva from Russia achieved the highest women's short program score (90.45 points) at the 2022 European Championship.
Men must perform seven specific elements. These include a double or triple Axel jump, another triple or quadruple jump, and a jump combination. They also need to do different types of spins and a step sequence. Women must perform six specific elements. These include a double or triple Axel, a triple jump, and a jump combination. They also need to do different types of spins and a step sequence. Jumps with five rotations (quintuple jumps) are not allowed in the short program.
The Free Skating Program (FS)
Free skating, also known as the long program, is the second and longer part of the competition. Senior skaters perform for four minutes, while junior skaters perform for three-and-a-half minutes.
American skater Ilia Malinin earned the highest men's free skating score (227.79 points) at the 2024 World Championships. Kamila Valieva from Russia holds the highest women's free skating score (185.29 points) from the 2021 Rostelecom Cup.
The ISU says free skating should be a balanced program of jumps, spins, steps, and other moves. Skaters perform these to music of their choice, and they can even use songs with lyrics. A good free skate includes up to six jumps (one must be an Axel), up to three spins (including a combination spin and a flying spin), one step sequence, and one choreographic sequence.
Compulsory Figures (CF)
Compulsory figures, also called school figures, were precise circular patterns skaters traced on the ice. They showed a skater's skill in making perfect turns. For many years, these figures made up a big part (60%) of a skater's total score.
Over time, their importance decreased. The ISU finally removed them from international competitions in 1990. Even though they are no longer part of competitions, many coaches still teach figures. They help skaters build strength, control their bodies, and develop discipline. Since 2015, there have even been special competitions and festivals just for compulsory figures.
Competition Requirements
Figure Skating Jumps
A jump element can be a single jump, a combination of jumps, or a sequence of jumps. The six most common jumps fall into two groups: toe jumps (like the toe loop, the flip, and the Lutz) and edge jumps (like the Salchow, the loop, and the Axel). The Euler jump is an edge jump. Jumps are also named by how many times a skater spins in the air.
To get the most points, jumps need to be high and long. They should look easy and have smooth takeoffs and landings. Judges also look for creative entries, how well the jump fits the music, and a strong body position. In a jump combination, the landing foot of the first jump becomes the takeoff foot for the next jump.
Each jump has many steps, from preparing to landing. Most jumps start by skating backward, but the Axel and waltz jumps start by skating forward. Landing a jump puts a lot of force on a skater's body. Physics, like how a skater spins and balances, helps them land successfully. Skaters add special entries and exits to make jumps harder and earn more points.
Figure Skating Spins
There are three main spin positions: the camel, the sit spin, and the upright spin. Skaters can do forward or backward spins. They also perform flying spins, which combine a jump into a spin, and spin combinations. Skaters earn more points for difficult entrances and exits from their spins.
To get the most points, spins need to be fast and look effortless. They should be well-controlled and have clear positions. Flying spins need good height and a strong landing position. Judges also look for spins that stay centered, are original, and match the music. Spins are often used to catch a breath or transition between bigger moves.
Step Sequences
Step sequences are patterns of steps and turns on the ice. The ISU requires that all step sequences match the character of the music. To earn the most points, a sequence must fit the music, look effortless, and have good energy and flow. Skaters should also show deep edges and clean turns.
Judges also look for originality, creativity, and excellent body control. Skaters can make short stops if they fit the music. They must use both feet, turn in all directions, and move up and down during the sequence. Skaters can choose any type of step sequence and can include small jumps.
Choreographic Sequences
A choreographic sequence happens during the free skating program. It includes at least two different movements like steps, turns, spirals, arabesques, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, small jumps (up to two rotations), or spins. Skaters use steps and turns to connect these movements.
Judges do not score individual elements within a choreographic sequence. For example, any spins or small jumps in the sequence do not add to the final score. If a skater performs a jump with more than two rotations, the sequence is considered finished. There are no strict rules, but the sequence must be easy to see.
To earn the highest points, a choreographic sequence must be original and creative. It should match the music, look effortless, and have good energy and flow. Skaters must also show good precision, use the entire ice surface, and demonstrate excellent control of their body.
Rules and Regulations
The ISU first published a handbook for judges in 1965. In 2022, the ISU decided to gradually raise the minimum age for senior international competitions from 15 to 17 years old over three seasons. Skaters can receive deductions for issues with time, music, clothing, falls, and interruptions.
Time Rules
A program's time starts when the skater begins to move and ends when they stop completely. Judges penalize skaters one point for every five seconds they finish too early or too late. If they start their program between one and 30 seconds late, they can lose one point.
Skaters have a 10-second grace period (plus or minus) for their program length. If they finish outside this window, they can lose points. If they start an element after their allowed time, they earn no points for that element. If a program is 30 seconds or more under the required time, skaters receive no marks.
Music Rules
All programs must be skated to music. Since 2014, music with lyrics has been allowed in single skating. This change was made to make the sport more appealing and give skaters more creative choices. The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, was the first Olympics affected by this rule change.
Clothing Rules
Skaters' costumes at ISU Championships and the Olympics must be modest, respectful, and suitable for athletic competition. They should not be overly flashy or theatrical. Props and extra accessories are not allowed. Costumes can reflect the music's theme but must not appear too revealing.
All men must wear full-length trousers, a rule in place since the 1994–1995 season. Since 1988, women skaters have been required to wear skirts during competition. This rule was sometimes called "the Katarina Rule," after East German skater Katarina Witt. She once wore a leotard that was considered too revealing for competition.
Decorations on costumes must be securely attached. Judges can deduct one point if parts of a costume or decorations fall onto the ice. If there is a costume rule violation, judges can deduct one point per program. Costume deductions are rare because skaters and designers work hard to ensure costumes meet the rules.
Falls and Interruptions
A fall is when a skater loses control and most of their body weight is on the ice, not just on their skate blades. For senior single skaters, one point is deducted for the first and second fall. Two points are deducted for the third and fourth fall, and three points for the fifth fall and any falls after that. Junior single skaters lose one point for every fall.
Falls during jumps can happen if a skater makes a mistake during takeoff, doesn't rotate enough in the air, or lands off-balance. Injuries to the lower body (knees, ankles, back) are common for skaters. Many injuries can be prevented with proper training.
An interruption is when a skater stops performing their program. If an interruption lasts more than 10 seconds, skaters can lose points. For example, they lose one point for an interruption between 10 and 20 seconds. They can lose five points if they don't restart their program within three minutes.
If there's a problem with the music, skaters must stop. If the music problem happens within 20 seconds of starting, the skater can choose to restart or continue. If it happens after 20 seconds, they must continue from where they stopped. No points are deducted for music problems.
An interruption can also be caused by an "adverse condition" not related to the skater, like bad lighting or items on the ice. Skaters should report this to the referee. If the problem is related to the skater or their equipment (like a loose lace or costume damage), they must also stop. When the problem is fixed, skaters continue their program. No deductions are applied for interruptions not caused by the skaters or their equipment.
