Step sequence
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A step sequence is a required element in all four disciplines of figure skating: men's single skating, women's single skating, pair skating, and ice dance. Step sequences have been defined as "steps and turns in a pattern on the ice". Skaters earn the most points in step sequences by performing steps and movements with "flair and personality", by turning in both directions, by using one foot and then the other, and by including up and down movements. Step sequences in pair skating should be performed "together or close together". Step sequences are required in the short programs, as prescribed by the ISU, for both senior and junior pairs teams, but are not required for their free skates. The step sequence must be "visible and identifiable", in any shape they like (oval, circle, straight line, serpentine, or similar shapes), over the full ice surface. The ISU also defines a step sequence in ice dance as "a series of prescribed or unprescribed steps, turns and movements in a Rhythm Dance or a Free Dance". Step sequences in ice dance have three divisions: types, groups, and styles.
A step sequence is a required element in all four disciplines of figure skating: men's single skating, women's single skating, pair skating, and ice dance. Step sequences have been defined as "steps and turns in a pattern on the ice". Skaters earn the most points in step sequences by performing steps and movements with "flair and personality", by turning in both directions, by using one foot and then the other, and by including up and down movements. Step sequences in pair skating should be performed "together or close together". Step sequences are required in the short programs, as prescribed by the ISU, for both senior and junior pairs teams, but are not required for their free skates. The step sequence must be "visible and identifiable", in any shape they like (oval, circle, straight line, serpentine, or similar shapes), over the full ice surface. The ISU also defines a step sequence in ice dance as "a series of prescribed or unprescribed steps, turns and movements in a Rhythm Dance or a Free Dance". Step sequences in ice dance have three divisions: types, groups, and styles. ===Gallery of turns used in step sequences=== File:Rocker turn.gif| File:Counter.GIF| File:Bracket.GIF| File:Threeturn.GIF| == Single skating== Both junior and senior single skaters must include at most one step sequence in their short programs; senior skaters must include a step sequence in their free skating programs. As of 2022, junior skaters were no longer required to include a step sequence in their free skates; instead, they had to include a choreographic sequence because ISU officials wanted them to focus more on their program components. If a step sequence is barely visible or too short, it does not fulfill the step sequence requirements. Unlisted jumps with any number of revolutions and listed jumps with a maximum of one revolution can be included in the step sequence without penalties. If a listed jump performed during a step sequence in the short program has more than one revolution, the judges will penalize this by reducing the GOE by 1. However, a listed jump with more than one revolution performed during the step sequence of the free skate will be identified and counted as its own element. A twizzle must have at least two revolutions to count in the skater's score. ==References== YouTube clip of Nathan Chen performing various short program step sequences. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372220335 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.