The use of required deductions in singles and pair skating is fairly well known. These deductions are limited primarily to the short programs, where errors in the required elements result in deductions taken from the skater's first mark. Far less attention, however, is given to the deductions used in Ice Dancing.
In Ice Dancing, required deductions are used in each part of the event. The deductions in each part of dance events differ somewhat, and are sometimes taken from the first mark and at other times the second. Unlike in free skating where only a few required deductions apply, free dance has a long list of technical restrictions, violations of which leads to deductions. The following tables describe the deductions used in each part of Ice Dancing events.
Notes:
Falls - Compulsory dances are made up of sequences of steps. Different numbers of sequences are incorporated into the different dances. The deduction taken for a fall depends on the severity of the fall and the number of sequences in the dance. If only one partner stumbles in a dance with several sequences the deduction might only be 0.1-0.2. At the other extreme, if both partners go flying in a dance with a small number of sequences, the team can be crucified up to 1.5 points.
Leading hand of the man - The dances have required positions for the position of the leading hand of the man. If his hand is in the wrong place for the dance being skated it results in a deduction.
| Violation | Deduction | Mark |
| Incorrect or inapproriate music (e.g., incorrect tempo, or more than two selections) |
0.1 - 0.4 | Presentation |
| Incorrect tempo | 0.1 - 0.4 | Presentation |
| Music lacks a constant beat or character of ballroom dancing | 0.1 - 0.4 | Presentation |
| Lack of expression | 0.1- 0.4 | Presentation |
| Inapporpriate costumes | 0.1 - 0.2 | Presentation |
| Excessive toe steps Use of lifts, jumps other than small toe jumps Excessive hops or small toe jumps Both partners do not have at least one skate on the ice Separations other than at beginning or end of dance Separations of more than 5 seconds More than two stops Hand in hand skating with extended arms Kneeling on ice or standing on two feet Pulling or pushing partner by the leg (includes the mere touching of the partner’s leg) |
0.1 per violation | Composition |
Notes:
Timing and Temp - In the Original Dance, the couples choose the choreography for a dance whose rhythm and range of temp is specified each season. Music that does not conform to the required rhythm and tempo, or otherwise violates the music rules results in deductions.
Technical Restrictions - The chorepgraphy in the Original Dance is not totaly left free for the skaters' choosing. A number of restrictions are placed on the content of the dance, violations of which result in deductions of 0.1 for each transgression. These restrictions are imposed to insure the the couples skate a ballroom dance, and present a dance of reasonable difficulty.
| Violation | Deduction | Mark |
| Lack of cleanness and sureness, failure to skate on edges | 0.1 - 0.4 | Technical Merit |
| Overall predominance of pair skating moves and/or positions | 0.1 - 0.4 | Technical Merit |
Separations:
Lifts:
Jumps:
Dance Jumps:
Pirouettes (spins) of more than 3 rotations Stops longer than 5 seconds Both skates of one partner off the ice (except in permitted lifts or jumps) Standing, sitting, leaning on partner’s boots or legs Holding partner’s skates (boots or blades) Sitting or lying over partner’s legs with both feet off the ice Lying or kneeling on ice Excessive short jerky movements,unless characteristic of the music Excessive non--skating moves such as sliding on one knee, or toe steps Hand-in-hand skating with extended arms Side-by-side skating more than 2 arms lengths apart |
0.1 for each violation of the technical restrictions |
Technical Merit |
| Incorrect music Incorrect timing Incorrect Interpretation Poor style and unison Unsuitable choreography Inapporpriate costumes |
0.1 - 0.5 0.1 - 0.5 0.1 - 0.5 0.1 - 0.4 0.1 - 0.4 0.1 - 0.2 |
Artistic Impression |
Notes:
Given the large number of restrictions in its content, one wonders why it is called "free" dance. The only things that makes the free dance any freer than the Original Dance is that the couples get to choose the rhythms (more than one rhythm and range of tempo is allowed), more than two pieces of music may be used, and there are no restrictions on the location of the pattern on the ice. Like in the Original Dance, however, there are numerous restrictions placed on the content of the dance. These restrictions are imposed to insure the the couples ice dance, as opposed to pair skate, and present a dance of reasonable difficulty.