Happy New Olympic Cycle!
It's the start of a season, which means it's time for a new pattern dance to be performed in this year's ice dance programs and, of course, new rules. One of the most notable changes this season is that the "Short Dance" event will now be called the "Rhythm Dance". This is because the ISU is making an effort to highlight that this program is an interpretation of a required style of dance, rather than just a shorter Free Dance. This season, the required rhythm for both junior and senior-level couples is the tango. Each couple has the choice to either perform just a tango or a tango along with any other rhythm they choose. The pattern dances that will be performed this season are the Tango Romantica by the senior teams and the Argentine Tango by the juniors. In this post, I'm going to explain key points that are used in the judging for the junior event. If you find this helpful, I'll make another post for the seniors. I hope you enjoy and learn something!
For those of you who do not know, key points are small groups of steps in a pattern dance that are used to determine the technical difficulty of the pattern a couple performs. You can think of key points as positions in a spin or features in a step sequence. Key points must be performed with completely correct steps, clean edges, and perfect timing. In the past, one section or pattern was judged with 3 key points. This season, that number has increased to 4. If all 4 key points are cleanly executed and in time with the music, and every step in the section is performed, the couple receives a level 4. If the couple gets 3 key points, they get a level 3. 2 key points get a level 2, and so on. If no key points are awarded, the couple gets a base level. However, the couple still needs to perform the entire section of the dance. If the element is interrupted due to a fall or stumble for up to 4 beats, the level is reduced by 1. This element would be marked with a "<" sign. If the element is interrupted for more than 4 beats but 75% percent of the steps are still completed, The level is reduced by 2. This would be shown with a "<<" sign. If the couple performs less than 75% of the pattern, no level is given, and it would be marked as "!".
That’s it in terms of general rules. Here are the key points for this year’s junior Rhythm Dance.
As you can see, the dance is divided into two sections. Couples may start with either section as long as the next section is performed immediately after the first. For Section 1, the couple must not miss more than 5 steps to get credit for the element. For Section 2, the couple can’t miss more than 3.
Section 1
Key Point 1: Lady’s Steps 7-10
The lady must perform a left forward outside edge followed by a cross-in-front right forward outside edge, cross-behind left forward inside edge, change to an outside edge, and perform the same cross-behind change of edge on the other foot. The technical specialist will judge this key point and look for correct edges and correct change of edges.
Key Point 2: Man’s Steps 7-10
The man will perform the same steps as the lady, except the final step of the key point is not a change of edge; it is a right forward inside counter. Skaters can have a very hard time with the exit edge of this turn. They may easily skate it on a flat edge and even scratch on their toe pick. The assistant technical specialist will watch for correct edges, a correct change of edge, and a correct counter turn.
Key Point 3: Lady’s Steps 13-15
The lady starts with a cross roll right forward outside three-turn, pushes back into a left backward outside, and finishes by stepping forward on to a right forward outside. Getting a clean turn can be a tough part for the lady, so this could be a big factor in who gets this called clean. The technical specialist will look for correct edges and a correct turn.
Key Point 4: Man’s Steps 13-15
The man will do a cross roll left backward outside edge, step into a right forward outside three turn, and finish with a left backward outside edge. This can be a pretty difficult key point for the man because he needs to execute a true cross roll, not just step back on to his edge. Also, the man can easily lose control on his three turn. The assistant technical specialist will look for correct edges and a correct turn.
Section 2
Key Point 1: Lady’s Steps 23-24
The lady starts with a left forward outside swing roll and immediately after performs a twizzle-like motion on the same foot. She finishes by stepping forward onto a right outside edge. The twizzles can be very difficult, as the lady must not change onto her inside edge before turning. Also, this turn makes no sense on paper. If the skater does one entire rotation, she will end up with her feet right next to each other, and she’s won’t be able to push for her next edge, however, she can’t end the turn on the backward part of the turn, because she would not be completing the turn. What she should aim to do is turn for about three quarters of a whole revolution. The technical specialist will look for correct edges and a correct twizzle turn.
Key Point 2: Man’s Steps 23-24
The man will do a left forward outside swing roll with the lady and then perform an open choctaw. He will have to bring his right foot directly to his left instep and skate on a right backward inside edge to get this called clean. He also needs to make sure he doesn’t “jump” from one foot to the other. The man finishes the key point with a left backward outside edge. The assistant technical specialist will look for correct edges and a correct choctaw turn.
Key Point 3: Lady’s Steps 27-31
The lady will perform five cross rolls, starting on her left backward outside edge. These are very difficult to perform correctly, as the she must shift her weight easily from one foot to the other, instead of just stepping through each cross roll. Her final cross roll will include a swing roll and step forward onto her right inside edge. This is a very quick step that should start between counts 4 and 1. Many skaters rush this step and begin it on beat 4, which is incorrect. The technical specialist will assess correct edges in this key point.
Key Point 4: Man’s Steps 27-31
The man performs five cross rolls, starting on his right forward outside edge. The final cross roll is performed with a swing roll. A common error in this key point is stepping on flat edges and then rolling onto an edge, instead of stepping on and maintaining a clear outside edge. The assistant technical specialist will watch this and look for correct edges.
So that’s it! I hope something I said stuck with you. If this was helpful I’ll post something similar for the senior-level couples. Happy watching!
-TJ
