Rhythm Dance – General Information

Question 1

Duration

Answer 1

Junior/Senior (partnered and solo) 2 minutes 50 seconds (+/- 10 seconds)
Referee deduction: once for up to every 5 sec lacking or in excess

Question 2

General Requirements

Answer 2

Rhythm Dance is a dance created by an Ice Dance competitor to dance music with designated rhythm(s) and/or theme(s) selected by the Ice Dance Technical Committee annually for the season. The dance must:
* Reflect the character of the music, the selected dance rhythm(s) and/or theme(s)
* Be translated to the ice by demonstrating technical skills with a variety of steps, turns (skating vocabulary), and movements executed precisely and completely along with balance and glide, flow, power and speed, and unison
* Be delivered with unison, in harmony, and spatial awareness (partnered ice dance)
* Fit to the phrasing of the music

Question 3

Music – General

Answer 3

• May be vocal and must be suitable for Ice Dance as a sport discipline.
• Must be selected in accordance with the designated rhythm(s) and/or theme(s), and with the specified tempo when applicable.
• Only dance music with an audible rhythmic beat may be used.
• May be without audible rhythmic beat for up to 10 seconds at the beginning of the program.
• Note: To comply with the ethical values of sports, music chosen must not include aggressive and/or offending lyrics.

Question 4

Theme and Music - Specific to 2024-2025 Season

Answer 4

“Social Dances and Styles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s”
* Takes inspiration from high energy and entertaining dance styles from these decades.
* These dance styles originated as a couple dance and due to their contagious, upbeat rhythms, they became an invitation for others to join along in social settings and mass gatherings becoming crowd pleaser favourites.
* Remixed and/or remastered music, including cover versions, is permitted
* Must not be skated in the style of a Free Dance. Skaters must use dance movements and dance holds (as applicable) to interpret the feeling/essence and dance styles from these decades
* This season’s dance is not based on Classical, Contemporary, Folk and Ballroom styles of dance

Examples (but not limited to): Rock n’ roll, Jitterbug, Twist, The Hustle, Disco

Question 5

Pattern

Answer 5

Pattern must proceed in a generally constant direction; must cross the long axis of the ice surface once at each end of the rink within no more than 30 metres (short axis) of the barrier.
* The skater(s) may also cross the long axis at the entry to the Style B Step Sequence, at the entry to the ChRS (Sr), and at the entry to the Pattern Dance Elements (Jr).
* Loops in any direction are permitted provided they do not cross the long axis (except during the PSt).

Question 6

Stops

Answer 6

After the clock starts, the skater(s) must not remain in one place for more than 10 seconds at the beginning and/or end of the program.
* During program (excluding the 10 seconds at the beginning and/or end of the program): 2 full stops of up to 5 seconds or 1 full stop of up to 10 seconds is permitted.
* A dance spin or choreographic spinning movement that does not travel will be considered as a stop

Question 7

Separations

Answer 7

Partners must not separate except to change hold or to perform required elements requiring a separation, turns as transitional elements and moves during permitted stops.
* Distance allowed is maximum 2 arm’s length apart during such separations.
* Change of hold and turns as transitional elements must not exceed one measure of music.
* Separations at the beginning and/or end of the program may be up to 10 seconds in duration without restrictions on the distance of the separation.

Question 8

Touching ice with hand(s)

Answer 8

Touching the ice with the hand(s) is not permitted, except during Step Sequence Style B

Question 9

Costume and prop

Answer 9

• Must be modest, dignified and not give the effect of excessive nudity.
• Must be appropriate for athletic competition – not garish or theatrical in design -yet may reflect the character of the chosen music.
• For domestic competition, clothing requirements are gender neutral. There are no restrictions on skaters choosing to wear skirts, dresses, pants or tights.
  Note that competitors competing internationally should refer to ISU Clothing Rule 501.
• Accessories & props are not permitted; no part of the costume may be used as any support in a lift.