ISU Judging System
Introduction
The ISU Judging System (IJS) replaces the old 6.0 system. It has been used at Sub-Association and National level in New Zealand since 2006. This document provides a brief and simplified overview of the IJS.
Technical Elements
In the IJS, every important element a skater might perform has been assigned a value, called the base value. For example, a double Axel has been assigned 3.5 points, while a single toeloop has a base value of just 0.4 points.
Skaters are also judged on how well they perform each element with the judges assigning a grade of execution (GOE) from -3 to +3. The GOE adds points to the base value or takes points away from the base value, the amount added or subtracted can be found in the Scale of Values (a small section appears below):
| Scale of Values - Singles | |||||||||
| | | | + + + | + + | + | Base | - | - - | - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Jumps | ||||||||
| Toeloop | 1T | 1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | |
| Salchow | 1S | 1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | |
| Loop | 1Lo | 1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | |
| Flip | 1F | 1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | |
| Lutz | 1Lz | 1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | |
Table 1: A small section of the Scale of Values showing single revolution jumps.
For instance a single toeloop with a GOE of -3 earns only 0.1 points (0.4 points base value minus 0.3 points for the -3 GOE), while a single toe loop with a GOE of +3 earns 1.4 points (0.4 base value plus 1.0 for the +3 GOE).
For spins and footwork sequences, the technical panel also assigns a level of difficulty to each element. The higher the level of difficulty, the higher the base value. For spins, changes of position and edge are some of the important aspects that allow a skater to earn a higher level of difficulty.
| Sit Spin Level 1 | SSp1 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | -0.3 | -0.6 | -1 | |
| Sit Spin Level 2 | SSp2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1.6 | -0.3 | -0.6 | -1 | |
| Sit Spin Level 3 | SSp3 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 2.4 | -0.3 | -0.6 | -1 |
Table 2: A small section of the Scale of Values showing sit spins.
The points for all the individual elements are added up to get the total Technical Elements Score.
Programme Components
In addition to the technical elements, skaters are awarded points for other important aspects of skating. There are five other aspects for which the skaters are awarded a value between 0.00 and 10.00. They are:
- Skating Skills
- Transitions (the footwork between elements)
- Performance/Execution (body line, carriage, and balance during elements)
- Choreography
- Interpretation
The total Program Components score is determined by first adding up the five component marks. This total is then factored for the short programme by multiplying by 0.8 for ladies and 1.0 for men. For the free skate programme, this total is multiplied by 1.6 for ladies and 2.0 for men to get the total Program Components score.
Deductions
Skaters can lose points for falling, performing illegal elements, skating over the maximum time allowed, and for costume or music violations.
Total Score
For each programme (short or free skate), the total segment score (TSS) is determined by adding up the total technical elements score, the total program components score and then subtracting any deductions.
The skaters final score is just a sum of the short programme TSS and the free skate TSS.
Panel Makeup
There are now two distinct panels under the IJS, each with a differentfunction:
- A "Technical Panel" consisting of a Technical Controller, Technical Specialist, Assistant Technical Specialist, Data Operator and Video Replay Operator who decide which elements a skater actually performs and assigns levels to spins and step sequences.
- A "Judges Panel" consisting of a Referee and up to five judges (or more overseas) which determine the Grade of Execution (GOE) of each element and assign the Component marks.
A computer system with touch screen displays for entering marks, replaying video of elements, and controlling the scoreboard is managed by the chief accountant.