Original Dance 2008/2009 - Requirements/Restrictions
Excepts from Rule 609 are reprinted below and must be strictly observed with the following exceptions/additions as underlined:
a) The incorrect selection of music for the rhythms chosen must be penalized by the judges.
b) Only music with a rhythmic beat may be used and the couples must skate to the rhythmic beat.
c) The musical introduction to the original dance may be without beat or melody for a maximum of 10 seconds.
d) The duration of the original dance shall be 2 minutes 30 seconds plus or minus 10 seconds. The time must be reckoned from the moment when one of the couple begins to move or to skate until both partners arrive at a complete stop at the end of the program.
e) Except during the required step sequences, the pattern of the dance must proceed in a generally constant direction (either clockwise or anti-clockwise) and must not cross the long axis of the ice surface except once at each end of the rink (not more than 20 meters from the barrier). Loops in either direction are permitted provided that they do not cross the center axis.
f) All steps, turns, rotations and changes of hold are permitted provided that they are appropriate to the rhythm. Difficult, original, varied and intricate footwork is required for both skaters. For the Linking Footwork/Movements a program that relies heavily on the use of chasses and progressives (runs), posing and one directional skating is considered to be less difficult than one containing changes of edge, rockers, choctaws and other such steps and turns, and multi-directional skating. Hops and jumps of not more than one full (1) rotation are permitted. These jumps of 1 rotation may not be performed simultaneously (and are not permitted at all in either step sequence). Excessive skating on two feet, by either partner or both, is considered as showing the inability to skate or maintain balance. However, one (1) highlight for which one or both partner(s) are on two feet may be included (maximum duration – 5 seconds). Toe steps, kneeling or sliding on two knees and/or performing a full split position on the ice are permitted if not used excessively. Touching the ice with hand/s is not permitted. A program which is choreographed so that its performance extends to all sides of the arena is preferable to one directed to only the judges’ side.
g) Partners must not separate except to change dance hold, to perform the not-touching step sequence or the permitted full stop.
Separations at the beginning and/or end of the program may be up to 10 seconds in duration without restrictions on distance of the separations.
h) There are no restrictions on dance holds except for the required step sequences. Skating in Hand-in-Hand hold with fully extended arms is permitted only if in the character of the rhythm chosen but must not be used excessively.
i) After the clock is started with the first movement, the couple must not remain in one place (even if doing brief extra stops which are permitted) for longer than 10 seconds. During the program one (1) full stop (maximum duration: up to 10 seconds) or two (2) full stops (maximum duration up to 5 seconds each) are permitted. Any choreography appropriate to the music selection (including a separation of not more than 2 arms length apart) may be included.