IJS Figure Skating Rules: August 2010 – Part 1 (Chris Conte)

This presentation by Chris Conte on the International Judging System or IJS rules was originally published as the first of a 6 part series.  However, as the IJS is constantly changing, the other 5 videos in the series are no longer valid or accurate and have been removed. This presentation was given at the 2010 Grassroots to Champions Extreme Camp during the first week of August, 2010.  The specifics of the rules are now different but the information in this video is introductory and is still largely correct as of this page revision (October 2013).

Disclaimer:  This presentation is published here at iCoachSkating.com to assist coaches and skaters with the new rules, but the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed by iCoachSkating.com.  This presentation was given in good faith by a highly knowledgeable coach, but please do your own due diligence and make sure you read the appropriate documents and ensure that your specific situation is within the boundaries of the rules.

One other note:  If you can find another recorded presentation anywhere on this information, please leave a comment below.  If you are aware of errors in the presentation, please comment as well.

In this video, Chris introduces the Technical Panel Handbook.  He then spends a little time discussing the structure of the technical panel and makes the point that the opinion of a single technical specialist doesn’t matter (it’s a panel of 3, majority rule).  Technical specialists are trained to call what they see.  Chris also addresses reviewed elements and levels.

Chris explains that there are 2 reasons a spin doesn’t get the level a skater or coach might expect. 1. They’re not designed properly, or 2. The skater did not perform the spin the way it was designed

Chris brings up an important characteristic of the IJS.  How an element is judged is consistent throughout a competition, as long as the technical panel remains the same.  As Chris says, every other skater is “evaluated for the level by the same criteria.  So it’s a level playing field for everybody.”  (Note that this does not mean that the same criteria will necessarily be used by other technical panels, or at other competitions, or even by the same technical panel at other competitions.  Such is the nature of our sport.)

Chris says, “Technical specialists are not experts on rules.  Technical controllers are.”  As such, technical controllers are a better source of information for coaches and skaters.  And the best source as Chris points out, is the Technical Panel Handbook.  Chris says, “Don’t go ask a specialist.  Go look it up.”

Please leave a comment below.  Chris is a member of this website and would love to hear from you.

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