Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Figure skating terminology

For the general style guidelines in figure skating, see Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Figure skating.

The WikiProject Figure skating terminology guide applies to articles within the scope of the WikiProject Figure skating. It is based on the terminology and style guidelines presented by U.S. Figure Skating and the official rules and scoring guidelines published by the International Skating Union. At the same time, it tries to meet the guidelines of Wikipedia's Manual of Style (especially MOS:TECHNICAL, MOS:JARGON, and MOS:NUM). This guide represents the consensus view of editors interested in maintaining Wikipedia's articles about the sport of figure skating. However, if you notice any errors or disagree with certain recommendations, feel free to discuss them on this talk page.

Figure skating is a complex sport and performing art with a long list of technical terms and competition rules. It is subject to continuous changes in performed elements, judging criteria, and scoring systems, which require a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy in wording. However, figure skating is a sport that casual readers may only watch every four years at the Winter Olympics, not being familiar with its rules and terms. This guide gives an overview of the most important terms, their correct spelling, abbreviation, concise definition, and distinction from each other, while giving guidance in how to make figure skating articles accessible to the widest possible general audience.

Overview

Main sources

The terminology and style guidelines presented on this page are based on the latest official terminology and style guidelines published by the International Skating Union (ISU), U.S. Figure Skating, and Skate Canada, as of April 2024:

• ISU Special Regulations & Technical Rules: Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance, published in September 2022

• ISU Technical Panel Handbooks, published in July 2023 for singles and pairs, and in August 2023 for ice dance

• ISU Scale of Values, published in 2022 for singles and pairs, and in 2023 for ice dance

• ISU Judges' Details per Skater, based the official score sheets used for the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships

• ISU Judging System, accessible on the ISU's official website

• ISU Figure Skating Statistics, accessible on the ISU's official website

• U.S. Figure Skating Style Guidelines, published in December 2019

• Skate Canada Info Centre, official figure skating terminology glossary provided by Skate Canada

General advices

Spell out technical terms

In the prose part of articles, with few exceptions, figure skating-specific terms should generally be spelled out at every mention. This goes especially for technical elements, competition names and segments. Abbreviations like "3Lz+2T", "GPF" or "SP" should not appear anywhere in the prose on their own. If required, the official abbreviation can be added in parentheses after the spelled-out term at first mention. This is common practice in articles about the term itself.

In tables or templates, abbreviations can be used to keep columns and table cells at reasonable size, but each abbreviation must be introduced with the full spelled-out term either in an explanatory legend placed above the table or with an annotation using the template {{abbr}}. If the term has its own article on English Wikipedia, a respective link should be added. Always keep in mind that casual readers may not be familiar with the ISU's official abbreviations of elements and such.

Use technical terms sparingly

It is recommended to only use figure skating-specific terms in articles if they are (a) notable in content or (b) essential to understand the context.
Example: Only mention special scores like the "technical element score" (TES) if it is a notable record, personal best, required minimum score to qualify for a competition, or an otherwise important score.

Use more general terms

It is recommended to simplify and generalize figure skating terms, especially technical elements, without compromising the meaning of the sentence or the term itself. Omit technical additions like "backward" or "flying" if the context allows it.
Example: Instead of writing "The flying sit spin with change of foot got invalidated", it is often sufficient to reduce it to "A spin element got invalidated". The core statement is still true, but much easier to understand.

Write in descriptive style

It is recommended to visually describe or explain complex terms, especially in the case of technical elements.
Example: Instead of writing "counter triple Axel", it is better to describe the element as a "triple Axel jump entered by a counter turn" or "triple Axel jump performed with a difficult counter turn entry". Even if the reader doesn't know what an Axel or counter is, the phrasing "jump entered by a (difficult) turn" helps to visually imagine what the element looks like.

Break down compound terms

It is recommended to only use complex compound terms like "counter triple Axel" if every part of that compound is important for the context. In that case, all parts of the compound should be sufficiently introduced to the reader, either in the prose (recommended) or an explanatory footnote using {{NoteTag}} or a similar template. The single terms should be linked to the respective articles like Axel jump and counter turn, providing easy access to precise definitions.

Be consistent and avoid ambiguous terms

Note that the ISU is not always consistent in the use of figure skating terms themselves. On the summary page of the ISU Judging System for example, the term "presentation" is ambiguously used for the full "program component score" (PCS) on the one hand and "presentation" (PR) as a single program component on the other. Another issue is the variety of different terms used for the same subject like "total element score", "technical element score", and "technical score", which all refer to the same score (officially abbreviated with TES).

Key rule: Be consistent with the choice of terms. Do not use "total element score" in the first sentence and "technical element score" in the second. Stick with one of the two, otherwise it may be confusing to the reader. This page gives some guidance in which terms to use to avoid ambiguity, inaccuracy, and vague or confusing wording.

General figure skating terms

• Championship titles: As practiced by U.S. Figure Skating, the term "senior" is not added when referring to a champion at senior-level competitions. The terms "junior", "novice", "intermediate", and "juvenile" are used to clarify other levels. Do not capitalize the word "champion" when used before a skater's name.
  Example: "Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu", not "Olympic senior champion Yuzuru Hanyu" or "Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu".

• Figure skating occupations: Do not capitalize words like "skater", "coach", "choreographer", "ice show producer", "commentator", "announcer" etc. before people's names because they are job descriptions, not titles.
  Example: "his coach Brian Orser", not "his Coach Brian Orser".

• Exhibition gala vs. gala exhibition: "exhibition gala" (in short "gala") is the official term for the full event, while "gala exhibition" or "gala performance" refers to one performance at that event, all lowercased. A program performed at the exhibition gala is called "exhibition program" or "gala program". The term "freestyle" should not be used. Exhibition programs can also be presented at certain types of ensemble ice shows like Stars on Ice or Fantasy on Ice.
  Example: "The exhibition gala was held on March 28", not "The gala exhibition was held on March 28".

• Gold, silver, bronze, pewter: Do not capitalize these terms when referring to a medal or medalist
  Example: "gold medalist Alysa Liu", not "Gold Medalist Alysa Liu".

• International Skating Union: This is the official name of the organization, uppercased. Spell out the full name at its first mentioning in the article's lead and also in the body, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. For all subsequent uses, "ISU" (no periods) is acceptable.

• ISU Judging System: This is the official name of the judging system. Use uppercased letters for the "ISU Judging System" in specific and lowercased for "judging system" as a general term. Spell out the full name at its first mentioning in the article's lead and also in the body, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, then "IJS" (no periods) for all subsequent uses. "International Judging System" is incorrect.

• Ladies vs. women: In 2021, "in accord with the recommendation of the IOC Gender Equality Review Project that there be a fair and balanced portrayal (i.e. how women and men are presented and described) in all forms of communication and official documents, including rules and regulations", the term "ladies" was changed to "women" throughout all special regulations and technical rules of figure skating and all ISU sports. It is the policy of the Figure Skating Wikiproject that when other figure skating federations still use the term "ladies" and when a pre-2021 ISU source is used, female skaters are referred to as "women" in all Wikipedia articles about figure skating, unless a direct quote from those sources is used in the article.

• Senior, junior, novice, intermediate, juvenile: Competitive levels are generally lowercased. In tables, they can be abbreviated with the capital letters S (senior), J (junior), N (novice), I (intermediate), and V (juvenile). The terms "junior level", "junior event", "junior competition", "junior record", and "junior skater" are all correct.
  Example: "Alina Zagitova moved up to senior level that season", not "Alina Zagitova moved up to Senior Level that season".

Competitions and disciplines

• The titles of specific figure skating competitions are written with uppercase letters like "World Championships" or "2014 Winter Olympics". When referring to competitions in general like "19 records in international competition", it is lowercased.
• Disciplines, competition segments, and skaters competing in them are all written with lowercase letters.
• Abbreviations should only be used in tables or templates, not in the prose part of articles with exception of "JGP" to mark competitions of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series and "CS" for competitions of the ISU Challenger Series. See examples below.
• The recommendations presented in this section, if not otherwise stated, are based on the U.S. Figure Skating Style Guidelines and ISU Special Regulations and Technical Rules.

Competitions

Major international competitions

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Olympic Games	OG	The official term used by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is "The Olympic Games" or more specifically "The Olympic Winter Games" (note that in 1908 and 1920, figure skating was part of the Olympic Summer Games). As an alternative, the term "Winter Olympics" is recommended, but "Winter Games" is accepted as well. At second or later mentionings, it can be shortened to "Olympics", but it must be clear from the context if it refers to the Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics or both. The official name for a specific competition uses Roman numerals for the edition (e.g. the "XXIII Olympic Winter Games"), but in figure skating articles it should be replaced by the year the Games took place like "2018 Winter Olympics". For linking Olympic figure skating competitions, use either the main article like Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics or the article about the specific event like Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Men's singles. If you want to refer to figure skating at the Olympics in general, use Figure skating at the Olympic Games.	The Olympic Games (competition) must not be mixed up with the respective "Olympiad", the full cycle between two Olympics. Example: the "2014–2018 Olympic cycle is called an Olympiad".
Youth Olympic Games	YOG	The official term used by the IOC is "The Youth Olympic Games" or more specifically "The Youth Olympic Winter Games". As an alternative, the term "Winter Youth Olympics" is recommended. At second or later mentionings, it can be shortened to "Youth Olympics", but it must be clear from the context if it refers to the Summer edition, Winter edition or both. Similar to the Winter Olympics, a specific edition should use the format ""20XX Winter Youth Olympics". Examples for linking are Figure skating at the Winter Youth Olympics (general competition) or Figure skating at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics (specific edition). Specific events in singles use "boys' singles" and "girls' singles" like Figure skating at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics – Boys' singles.
World Championships	WC	U.S. Figure Skating recommends using "20XX ISU World Figure Skating Championships" for the first mention in articles about the specific competition, then "World Championships" for subsequent mentions. In other articles, "20XX World Championships" is sufficient. The term "Worlds" is accepted but not preferred.	Terms like "World Cup" or "World Games" should not be used.
World Junior Championships	JWC	The official title is "20XX ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships", which should be used at first mention in the article about the specific competition, then "World Junior Championships" or "Junior Worlds" for subsequent mentions. In other articles, "20XX World Junior Championships" is sufficient.	The order "Junior World Championships" should not be used.
European Championships	EC	U.S. Figure Skating recommends using "20XX ISU European Figure Skating Championships" for the first mention in articles about the specific competition, then "European Championships" for subsequent mentions. In other articles, "20XX European Championships" is sufficient. "Europeans" is acceptable but not preferred.	The term "Euros" should not be used.
Four Continents Championships	4CC	U.S. Figure Skating recommends using "20XX ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships" for the first mention in articles about the specific competition, then "Four Continents Championships" and "Four Continents" for subsequent mentions. In other articles "20XX Four Continents Championships" is sufficient.
Grand Prix Final	GPF	The official title is "20XX–XX ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final", which should be used at first mention in the article about the specific competition, then "Grand Prix Final" or "Final" if it's clear from the context. In other articles, it is recommended to use the shortened title "20XX–XX Grand Prix Final". Make sure to use an unspaced en dash for the season, not a hyphen. Example: "Yuna Kim won the 2009–10 Grand Prix Final".	"2009 Grand Prix Final" and "2009-10 Grand Prix Final" are both incorrect.
Junior Grand Prix Final	JGPF	The official title is "20XX–XX ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final", which should be used at first mention in the article about the specific competition, then "Junior Grand Prix Final" or "Junior Final" if it's clear from the context. In other articles, it is recommended to use the shortened title "20XX–XX Junior Grand Prix Final". Make sure to use an unspaced en dash for the season, not a hyphen.

Other competitions

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Grand Prix Series	GP	The official title for the full series is "20XX–XX ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating", which should be used at first mention in the article about the specific series, then "Grand Prix (Series)" at subsequent mentions. In other articles, it is recommended to use the shortened title "20XX–XX Grand Prix (Series)". Make sure to use an unspaced en dash for the season, not a hyphen. For single competitions, the term "Grand Prix" or abbreviation "GP" doesn't need to be added. The term "20XX NHK Trophy" is sufficient.	"2016 Grand Prix" and "2016-17 Grand Prix" are both incorrect.
Junior Grand Prix Series	JGP	The official title for the full series is "20XX–XX ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating", which should be used at first mention in the article about the specific series, then "Junior Grand Prix (Series)" at subsequent mentions. In other articles, it is recommended to use the shortened title "20XX–XX Junior Grand Prix (Series)". Make sure to use an unspaced en dash for the season, not a hyphen. Single competitions have the title structure "ISU Junior Grand Prix in [country]" like the "ISU Junior Grand Prix in Poland". Specific editions use the abbreviation JGP like "2022 JGP Latvia" or "2022 JGP Poland II" with Roman numerals.
Challenger Series	CS	The official title for the full series is "20XX–XX ISU Challenger Series", which should be used at first mention, then "Challenger Series" at subsequent mentions. Make sure to use an unspaced en dash for the season, not a hyphen. Single competitions of the series use the abbreviation CS like "2019 CS Autumn Classic International".	"2019 ISU Challenger Series" and "2019-20 ISU Challenger Series" are both incorrect.
Asian Games	AG	The official title is "The Asian Games" or more specifically "The Asian Winter Games". The terminology and style guidelines are analogous to the Olympic Games.	The competition is not to be mixed up with the "Asian Open Trophy", which was held annually from 2007 to 2023.
World Team Trophy	WTT	The official title is "20XX ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating", which should only be used at first mention in the article about the specific competition. In other articles and later mentions, "20XX World Team Trophy" is sufficient.
National championships		Each figure skating federation has their own official term for the respective national championships, which should be used at first mention in the article of the specific competition. Examples are the "20XX–XX Japan Figure Skating Championships", "20XX Canadian Figure Skating Championships", and "20XX U.S. Figure Skating Championships". U.S. Figure Skating recommends using short forms like "Japan Championships" or "U.S. Championships" for subsequent mentions. In general articles, it is sufficient to use "20XX–XX Japan Championships" or "20XX U.S. Championships" at first mention instead of the full title. It is appropriate to use "National(s)" for later uses, such as "Japan Nationals" or "Canadian Nationals" but not preferred because it is not the official name of the competition.	For competitions that use the year format 20XX–XX, make sure to use an unspaced en dash, not a hyphen. "US Championships" without periods is incorrect.
Regionals and sectionals		In the U.S., these words should be lowercase, unless they are part of the competition's official title like "Southwest Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships" and "Midwestern Sectional Figure Skating Championships".

Disciplines and segments

Disciplines and events

Official term	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Single skating	The official term for the discipline is "single skating" or "singles", usually distinguishing between "men's singles" and "women's singles". At junior or lower level competitions, the terms "boy's singles" and "girl's singles" are commonly used (example). The skaters can be referred to as "single skater(s)". The term "singles skater" is also accepted, but less common.	The term "ladies' singles" is outdated and shall only be used in direct quotes.
Pair skating	The official term for the discipline is "pair skating" or "pairs". The skaters can be referred to as "pair skater(s)" or "pair". Example: "The cast featured Russian pair skaters Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov." The terms "pairs skater" as well as "pair skating team" or "pairs team" are also accepted.	Avoid the use of slashes when referring to a pair like Tarasova/Morozov, both in the prose and in tables.
Ice dance	The official term for the discipline is "ice dance", written as two words. The skaters can be referred to as "ice dancer(s)" or "(ice) dance team". The terms "(ice) dance partners" or "(ice) dance couple" are also accepted, but less neutral in wording and should be used with care.	The term "ice dancing" for the discipline is incorrect. Avoid the use of slashes when referring to a dance team like Virtue/Moir, both in the prose and in tables.
Team event	The official term for the discipline is "team event". The skaters can be referred to as "team members" or "participants".	The terms "team competition" and "team trophy" shall not be used. Only exception is the ISU World Team Trophy in uppercase letters.
Single vs. individual	In figure skating, the term "single(s)" refers to a discipline, distinguishing between singles, pairs, and ice dance. The term "individual" refers to an event type, distinguishing between individual and team events.
Competition vs. event	A competition usually consists of four individual events, namely the "men's (singles) event", "women's (singles) event", "pairs event", and "ice dance event". The ISU World Team Trophy has only one event, namely the "team event". Example for the Winter Olympics: "Tatiana Volosozhar and Maksim Trankov competed in the pairs' individual event and the team event of the 2014 Winter Olympics."	Do not use the term "tournament" for figure skating competitions.

Competition segments

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Short program	SP	The official term for the competition segment as well as single programs is "short program", lowercased. It is only used in singles and pairs, not in ice dance. Programs performed in the former short dance segment (SD) are called "short dance program".	The terms "short skate" and "routine" are incorrect.
Free skating	FS	The official term for the competition segment is "free skating" or "free skate", written as two words and lowercased. It is only used in singles and pairs, not in ice dance. A program performed in that segment is called "free skate program". An alternative term used by the ISU is "free skating program".	The terms "long program", "free program", "freestyle" and "routine" are incorrect.
Rhythm dance	RD	The official term for the competition segment is "rhythm dance", lowercased. A program performed in that segment is called "rhythm dance program".	The rhythm dance segment is not to be confused with the short dance (SD), held from 2010 to 2018, and the compulsory dance (CD) and original dance (OD), held from 2003 to 2010.
Free dance	FD	The official term for the competition segment is "free dance", written as two words and lowercased. A program performed in that segment is called "free dance program".	The term "free dancing" is incorrect.
Event vs. segment		The term "event" refers to all segments of a figure skating competition in one discipline. Example: "The free skate segment of all events at the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard was cancelled."

Scoring system

• Terms for scores and marks should be written with lowercase letters, following the guidelines for mathematical terms (see MOS:MATH).
• In the prose part of the article, abbreviations can be added after the spelled out title in parentheses at first mention, but should otherwise only be used in tables and templates. Only exception is the unit "GOE", which can be placed after a specific score like "1.24 GOE", but it is important to spell out the full term "grade of execution" at first mention.
• In general figure skating articles, the mention of scores should be limited to total segment scores (SP/RD, FS/FD, combined total). Exceptions are encyclopedically notable scores like records and firsts or judging controversies. Same goes for single marks.
• The recommendations presented in this section, if not otherwise stated, are based on the ISU Judges' Details per Skater (official competition score sheets) and ISU Figure Skating Statistics.

Scores and marks

Scores and marks

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Combined total score		The official term is "combined total score", shortened as "combined total". It is the sum of scores achieved by a skater or team in all segments of one event. Usually it is the sum of the short program and free skating score (rhythm dance and free dance score in ice dance). If a skater has not qualified for the free skating segment, the combined total equals the short program score.	This score should be clearly distinguished from the total segment score (TSS). Avoid using ambiguous terms like "total score", "final score" or "total".
Total segment score	TSS	The official term is "total segment score". It is the sum of the technical element score (TES) and program component score (PCS). If the competition segment is not clear from the context, specify it as "total segment score in the short program" for example.	The total segment score should not be shortened as "total score" to avoid confusion with the combined total score.
Technical element score	TES	The official ISU term is "technical element score" or "total element score". It is a cumulative score, with the executed elements being evaluated locally and isolated from each other by difficulty and quality. It is the sum of all base values (BV) and grades of execution (GOE) of a skater's or team's performed elements in a competition segment.	Though occasionally used by the ISU, the term "technical score" should not be used for the TES, since the program component score (PCS) is a technical score as well (see below). The TES also must not be mixed up with the "technical merit" and "technical mark(s)" of the 6.0 system.
Base value	BV	The official term is "base value". It is made up of the element's level or difficulty value and optional calls or invalidations made by the technical panel. The "level (of difficulty)" (LV) of a technical element is only written in uppercase if followed by an integer, otherwise in lowercase. Examples for correct use: "four level features", "spin level", "a Level 4 step sequence", "The spin was downgraded to Level 3."	Do not hyphenate the level of an element like "Level 4-spin".
Grade of execution	GOE	The official term for the score is "grade of execution" with the mathematical unit GOE. The grade of execution of a technical element is based on a set of positive and negative quality criteria called "GOE bullets". The final "GOE score" (e.g. 1.24 GOE or -2.35 GOE) for an element is the average of all "GOE marks" (e.g. +2 or -3) across the judging panel after dropping the highest and lowest mark and factoring the remaining with an element-specific number based on the ISU Scale of Values (SOV).
Program component score	PCS	The official term is "program component score". An extended term used by the ISU is "total program component score" to distinguish it from scores for single components. It is a quantification of different technical components globally across the full program. In the current judging system, it is the sum of the three components "composition" (CO), "presentation" (PR), and "skating skills" (SK).	The term "presentation score" must not be used for the PCS! "Presentation" is only one of the three current components. The PCS also must not be mixed up with the "presentation" and "presentation mark(s)" of the 6.0 system. Do not use "artistic score" for any of the terms above, unless it is part of a direct quote. Neither "artistry" nor any derived term has been used in any official ISU TP handbook or scoring guideline.
Mark vs. score		The term "mark" refers to all numerical entries on an ISU score sheet made by a single judge (GOE marks and component marks). Example: "Judge 6 did not award any GOE marks higher than +3 and component marks higher than 8.50." The term "score" refers to all numerical entries that are based on marks of the full judging panel and/or calls by the technical panel. Example: "The triple Axel jump was awarded a GOE score of 1.52" and "The triple Axel jump was awarded 1.52 GOE" are both correct with the same meaning. The terms "score" and "point(s)" can be used interchangeably, while single GOE or component marks should not be called "score(s)" or "point(s)".	Examples: Judge 4 gave 8.50 points for skating skills. → Judge 4 gave a (mark of) 8.50 for skating skills. The jump got a negative mark of -1.03. → The jump got a negative score of -1.03 GOE.
Format of scores		Figure skating scores are always written as numbers with two decimal places and not preceded by a "+"-sign. This goes for base values, GOE scores, single component scores as well as TES, PCS, TSS, and the combined total. Take note that GOE scores can be negative like -2.35 GOE.	Examples: 126.2 points → 126.20 points +1.24 GOE → 1.24 GOE
Format of marks		GOE marks are single digit integers between -5 and +5 and are not followed by the unit "GOE" to distinguish them from the final GOE score. It is possible to use the plural form "three +5s and six +4s". Though it is practiced differently on the official score sheets, positive GOE marks should be preceded by a "+"-sign for clarity. PCS marks are numbers with two decimal places between 0.25 and 10.00. To indicate the range of awarded marks, the plural form "8s" can be used. Marks awarded in the old 6.0 system are numbers with one decimal place, ranging from 0.0 to 6.0. To indicate the range of marks, the plural form "5s" can be used.	Examples for GOE marks: 3 → +3 -1.00 → -1 +0 → 0 Examples for PCS marks: 8.5 → 8.50 10 → 10.00 +9.50 → 9.50

Highest scores and best scores

Scoring records

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Highest score (world record score)	WR	The official term used by the ISU is "ISU highest score" or "highest score". While Guinness World Records still recognizes current ISU highest scores as "world records", the ISU itself does not use that term since the introduction of the +5/-5 GOE system, as stated on their official website. It is up to the discretion of the editor to refer to a highest score as a "world record score". The ambiguous term "record score" should only be used at subsequent mentions and only if its meaning is clear from the context. It is important to clarify in which competition segment the highest score was achieved, distinguishing between the "highest total score", "highest short program score", and highest "highest free skating score". "Highest score" always refers to records achieved at ISU-sanctioned events, considering both senior and junior level. For records at junior level in specific, the official term is "highest junior score" or "junior record (score)". Record scores achieved at domestic events like national championships must be clearly labelled as such and must not be mixed up with ISU highest scores.	The term "highest senior score" or "senior record (score)" must not be mixed up with "highest score" or "world record score", which can also be achieved at junior level.
Highest historical score	HR	The official term is "ISU highest historical score" or "highest historical score". The terms "historical world record (score)" and "historical record (score)" are correct as well. The ambiguous terms "highest score" and "record score" should only be used at subsequent mentions and only if their meaning is clear from the context. The other terminology and style guidelines are analogous to the "highest score".
National record score	NR	The term "national record score" or "national record" refers to highest scores achieved by skaters representing a specific nation at ISU-sanctioned events. It must not be mixed up with records achieved at domestic events like national championships. It is important to clarify in which competition segment the national record score was achieved.
Personal best score	PB	The official term is "ISU personal best score" or "personal best (score)". It refers to the best score achieved by a skater or team in a specific judging system at ISU-sanctioned events. It is important to clarify in which judging system and competition segment the personal best score was achieved. Example: "Yuzuru Hanyu's personal best total score was 330.43 in the +3/-3 GOE system and 322.59 in the +5/-5 GOE system." In comparison to absolute best scores, lists of personal bests include only one score by a skater or team.
Season's best score	SB	The official term is "ISU season's best score" or "season's best (score)". It refers to the best score achieved by a skater or team in a specific figure skating season at ISU-sanctioned events. It is important to clarify in which competition segment the season's best score was achieved.
Absolute best score	AB	"ISU absolute best scores" or absolute bests" refer to a list of best scores achieved in a discipline in a specific judging system at ISU-sanctioned events. In comparison to personal bests, lists of absolute best scores can include multiple scores by one skater or team. It is important to clarify in which discipline and competition segment the absolute best scores were achieved. Example: "Yuzuru Hanyu scored the four highest absolute bests in the men's short program in the +3/-3 GOE system."

Technical elements in singles and pairs

• Technical elements are written with lowercase letters, unless they are named after a person.
• In the prose part of articles, the name of the element or skating movement should always be spelled out. In the article about the element itself, the official abbreviation can be added after the spelled-out term in parentheses at first mention.
• In tables and templates, abbreviations must be annotated with the spelled-out term for readers who are not familiar with the ISU's abbreviation system.
• Technical terms should be used sparingly, and elements should only be mentioned if they are encyclopedically notable like a skater's signature moves, elements of particular difficulty or a record score, costly mistakes or elements with controversial judging.
• The recommendations presented in this section, if not otherwise stated, are based on the official ISU Technical Panel Handbooks and ISU Scale of Values.

Skating moves and elements

Skating elements

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Nomenclature of skating moves		Skating moves are characterized and distinguished by their execution (1) on the left (L) or right (R) foot (2) in forward (F) or backward (B) skating direction (3) on the inside (I) or outside (O) edge of the blade (4) resulting in a clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) rotation along the skating curve. There are eight basic variations to enter a skating move: LFI, LFO, LBI, LBO (and the same with the right foot). Example: an "RBO-rocker turn" is performed on the right foot, entered backward on the outside edge.	Only use this type of nomenclature in articles if it is essential for the context (supported by an explanatory footnote if needed). Follow the correct order of abbreviations (foot, direction, edge). Abbreviations like OBR or FIL are incorrect.
Forward and backward		When used as an adjective, it is always "forward" or "backward" like "backward counter turn". When used as an adverb, the preferred term is "forward" or "backward" in American English, and "forwards" or "backwards" in British English.	The term "backwards counter turn" is incorrect. The phrase "skating backwards" is not preferred in American English.
Figure skating step		The official term is "figure skating step" or "step". It is defined as a visible tracing on the ice executed on one foot featuring a change of foot. The ISU lists six types of skating moves as a "step" for singles and pairs: the "toe step", "chassé", "cross roll", "Mohawk turn", "Choctaw turn", and the "change of edge" (which has no change of foot, but it is still considered a step).	If used, the terms "mohawk" and "choctaw" should not be lowercased as they are named after the respective Native American people.
C step and S step		With the aim to "decolonize figure skating terminology", Skate Canada officially changed the terms "Mohawk turn" to "C step" and "Choctaw turn" to "S step", named after the shape of their skating traces. On English Wikipedia, both variations are accepted, but only one of them should be used consistently in an article. Ideally, the change of terminology by Skate Canada is mentioned in a sourced footnote.	As defined by Skate Canada, the terms "C-step" and "S-step" should not use hyphens but a no-break space.
Figure skating turn		The official term is "figure skating turn" or "turn". It is defined as a rotational skating move with a change of direction, distinguishing between a "one foot turn" and "two foot turn". The ISU lists six types of skating moves as a "turn" for singles and pairs: the "three turn" (or "3 turn"), "bracket turn", "rocker turn", "counter turn", "loop turn", and the "twizzle turn", which are all one foot turns. The Mohawk and Choctaw turn, though listed as steps, also count as two foot turns due to the change of foot and skating direction.	The ambiguous term "loop" should not be used to avoid confusion with the more common "loop jump". For other types of turns, the addition "turn" can be omitted at second or later mentions. The term "three-turn" or "3-turn" should not use a hyphen. The variation "3 turn" must be written with a no-break space.
Difficult turn		The ISU lists six types of turns as a "difficult turn" for singles and pairs: the Choctaw, bracket, rocker, counter, loop turn, and the twizzle. The Mohawk and three turn are not considered difficult turns and do not contribute to the level of difficulty in a step sequence.
Step sequence	StSq	The official term for the element is "step sequence". It is a sequence of steps, turns, and other skating moves with an assigned level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Until 2012, the ISU distinguished two mandatory types of step sequences in singles and pairs by the shape of the skating pattern: the "straight line step sequence" (SlSt) and "circular step sequence" (CiSt). A key level feature for step sequences is the correct execution of a "combination of three difficult skating turns", also called a "skating cluster", "one foot cluster" or "cluster". Example: a "rocker-counter-loop combination".	Do not shorten "step sequence" with the ambiguous term "sequence", which can also refer to a "choreographic sequence", "jump sequence" etc. The term "skating sequence" should not be used either, since the "choreographic sequence" is a type of skating sequence as well. Clusters should be written with hyphens, not en dashes like "rocker–cluster–loop combination".
Choreographic sequence	ChSq	The official term for the element is "choreographic sequence", which should be used at first mention. At subsequent mentions, it can be shortened to "choreo sequence". Though it is not assigned any level of difficulty, it is abbreviated with ChSq1 on ISU score sheets.	The term "choreographed sequence" is incorrect. Do not use the ambiguous terms "skating sequence" or "sequence" either.
Move in the field		The official term is "move in the field", which should be used at first mention. At subsequent mentions, it can be shortened to "field move". Moves in the field cover all types of skating movements that demonstrate edge control, extension, and ice coverage, including the "spiral", "spread eagle", "hydroblading", and the "Ina Bauer", named after Ina Bauer.
Compulsory figures		The official term is "compulsory figures" for the full competition segment and "compulsory figure" for a single figure. Until 1990, the required compulsory figures included the "figure eight" (or "figure 8"), "three turn", "bracket turn", "rocker turn", "counter turn", and the "loop turn".

Jump elements

Jump elements

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Nomenclature of jumps		A figure skating jump is determined by its type and number of revolutions. The ISU distinguishes between "edge jumps" and "toe jumps", with the latter using the toe of the free foot to assist the vaulting at the take-off: Edge jumps: "Salchow jump" (S), "loop jump" (Lo), "Axel jump" (A) Toe jumps: "toe loop jump" (T), "flip jump" (F), "Lutz jump" (Lz).
		In competition, a jump is allowed to be executed with the following number of revolutions: (1) "single jump" – one revolution (11⁄2 for the single Axel) (2) "double jump" – two revolutions (21⁄2 for the double Axel) (3) "triple jump" – three revolutions (31⁄2 for the triple Axel) (4) "quadruple jump" – four revolutions (41⁄2 for the quadruple Axel) Note: The quadruple jump can be shortened to "quad" at second or later mentions.
Rotation		The base value of a jump depends on its rotation in the air from take-off to landing. The ISU distinguishes four negative and one positive features: (1) "cheated take-off" or "(excessive) pre-rotation" (2) "under-rotation" (jump missing a 1⁄4 (q) more than a 1⁄4 (<) rotation at the landing) (3) "over-rotation" (jump exceeding required rotation by more than a 1⁄4 at the landing) (4) "downgrade" (jump missing more than a 1⁄2 (<<) rotation from take-off to landing) (5) "delayed rotation" (jump with completed rotation in mid-air, positive feature) The unofficial term "pre-rotation" should only be used if supported by reliable sources. Example 1: "a quad toe loop landed on the quarter", abbreviated with 4Tq. Example 2: "over-rotated double Axel", abbreviated with 3A<<.	When using the term "pre-rotation", note that certain jump types (esp. Salchow and loop) require some natural pre-rotation due to their take-off mechanics, which is about a 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 rotation. This is not considered a "cheated take-off".
Toe loop jump	T	The official term is "toe loop jump", which should be used at first mention, then "toe loop" at subsequent mentions. In wordy combinations or sequences, it can be shortened to "toe", but it should be fully spelled out at a previous mention in the prose. Examples: "quadruple toe loop jump" and "quad toe-triple toe combination".	The term "toeloop" without spacing is incorrect. The toe loop must not be confused with the "loop jump", which is an edge jump, or the general term "toe jump". The flip and Lutz are toe jumps as well.
Salchow jump	S	The official term is "Salchow jump", named after Ulrich Salchow. This term should be used at first mention, then "Salchow" at subsequent mentions. Example: "Javier Fernández landed a quadruple Salchow in his short program."	The colloquial short form "Sal" must not be used.
Loop jump	Lo	The official term is "loop jump". The short form "loop" should only be used if it is clearly distinguished from the "loop turn" by context or wording like "triple loop". The European term "Rittberger jump", named after Werner Rittberger, should only be mentioned in the article about the specific element, since it is not used by the ISU in their official competition rules and guidelines.
Flip jump	F	The official term is "flip jump", which should be used at first mention, then "flip" at subsequent mentions. A flip jump performed with a wrong take-off edge, officially abbreviated as "Fe", is commonly named a "lip" (a fusion of Lutz and flip), but take care that "lip" is not an official term introduced by the ISU, so it should be supported by a referenced explanatory footnote.	The term "flutz" must not be used for a jump that was planned to be executed as a flip.
Lutz jump	Lz	The official term is "Lutz jump", named after Alois Lutz. This term should be used at first mention, then "Lutz" at subsequent mentions. A Lutz jump performed with a wrong take-off edge, officially abbreviated as "Lze", is commonly named a "flutz" (a fusion of flip and Lutz), but take care that "flutz" is not an official term introduced by the ISU, so it should be supported by a referenced explanatory footnote.	The term "lip" must not be used for a jump that was planned to be executed as a Lutz.
Axel jump	A	The official term is "Axel jump" or "Axel Paulsen jump", named after Axel Paulsen. In general articles, "Axel jump" should be used at first mention, then "Axel" at subsequent mentions. Take care that the Axel jump always has an extra half revolution in the air, this means a "triple Axel" (3A) has three and a half revolutions.
Euler jump	Eu	The official term is "Euler jump" with "Euler" being capitalized although its origin is not clarified. "Euler jump" should be used at first mention, then "Euler" at subsequent mentions. The European term "Thorén jump", named after Per Thorén, should only be mentioned in the article about the specific element, since it is not used by the ISU in their official competition rules and guidelines. The Euler is usually a connecting jump in combinations, taking off like a loop, but landed on the inside edge of the opposite foot. Example: "triple Axel-Euler-triple Salchow combination".	The jump's former name "half loop" and abbreviation 1Lo is outdated and should no longer be used with exception of the article about the element itself.
Tano jump vs. Rippon jump		The "Tano jump", named after Brian Boitano, is a jump variation performed with one arm raised above the head. The "Rippon jump", named after Adam Rippon, is a jump variation performed with both arms raised. Take care that these are no official terms introduced by the ISU, so they should be supported by a referenced explanatory footnote at first mention and only be used if particularly notable like a skater's signature variation, new first, the cause of a costly mistake or controversial habit. Examples: "All twelve jumps were performed as a Tano or Rippon variation." or "Rippon triple flip-Tano triple toe loop combination".
Jump vs. jump element		In figure skating, a "jump element" can consist of one or multiple jumps. Example: The "triple Lutz" is both a jump and jump element, while a "triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination" is a jump element consisting of two jumps.	"a triple loop-triple loop jump" is incorrect. It has to be either "jump element" or "combination".
Solo jump vs. single jump		A "solo jump" is a jump element consisting of one jump like a "triple flip". A "single jump" is a jump with one revolution in the air like a "single flip", which can be part of a combination or sequence. Take care that a single Axel, which has one and a half revolutions, is also considered a single jump.	The solo jump must not be mixed up with the "side-by-side jump element" in pair skating, which can also be a combination or sequence.
Jump combination	COMBO	The official term used in the ISU Technical Panel Handbooks is "jump combination", which should be used at first mention, then "combination" at subsequent mentions. In the spelled-out form of a jump combination, the jumps are connected with unspaced hyphens, while abbreviations use a "+"-sign. Example: "quad Salchow-triple toe loop jump combination", abbreviated as 4S+3T. The abbreviation "+COMBO" should only be added if indicating a missed combination like 3F+COMBO.	Though often used by news outlets, the term "combination jump" is incorrect. It implies the execution of only one jump with the combination of different (technical) features, while a "jump combination", as defined by the ISU, consists of multiple jumps.
Jump sequence	SEQ	The official term is "jump sequence". The short form "sequence" should only be used if it is clearly distinguished from other types of sequences by context or wording. In the spelled-out form of a jump sequence, the jumps are connected with unspaced hyphens, while abbreviations use a "+"-sign and "+SEQ" at the end. Example: "quad toe loop-triple Axel sequence", abbreviated as 4T+3A+SEQ.	"quad toe loop-triple Axel combination" and 4T+3A are both incorrect.
Combination vs. sequence		In a "jump combination", the skater must not change the skating edge, foot or direction between two jumps. In a "jump sequence", the skater can change the skating edge, foot or direction between two jumps. Example: In a quad toe loop-triple Axel sequence, the skater lands backward after the toe loop, then changes foot and direction to enter the Axel forward.
Throw jump	Th	The official term is "throw jump". A throw jump is a solo jump performed by one skater assisted by the partner at the take-off. A specific throw jump element is made up of the term for the respective solo jump with "throw jump" placed after it. Example: "triple toe loop throw jump", abbreviated as 3TTh. The shortened form "throw triple toe loop" is accepted, but not preferred.

Spin elements

Spin elements

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Nomenclature of spins		The full term for a specific spin element includes the performed basic position(s), the type of entry if notable, and the change of foot if executed. The level of difficulty is optional. Example 1: "a flying upright spin Level 4" or "a Level 4 flying upright spin". Example 2: "a spin combination with change of foot", abbreviated with CCoSp.	Use full terms for spins sparingly. In most cases, the basic position is sufficient like "camel spin".
		The official abbreviation for a spin element has the structure: (1) flying spin entry (F) if executed (2) change of foot (C) if executed (3) basic position (USp, LSp, SSp, CSp, CoSp; see meanings below) (4) optional level of difficulty (B for basic or integer between 1 and 4). Example 1: FUSp4 for a flying upright spin Level 4. Example 2: CCoSp for a spin combination with change of foot.	Only use this type of nomenclature in articles if it is essential for the context. Follow the correct order of abbreviations (entry, foot change, positions, level).
Position vs. variation		The official terms are "spin position" and "spin variation". The ISU distinguishes between four "basic spin positions", namely "upright", "layback", "sit", and "camel", and "non-basic positions" like the "windmill", also called "illusion". The layback position is considered a special type of upright position. Each spin position can be executed in different variations, some of them being considered a "difficult variation" like the "doughnut variation" of the camel position. Variations should only be mentioned if notable like a new invention or skater's signature variation.	Positions and variations must not be mixed up. The term "doughnut position" for example is incorrect.
Upright spin	USp	The official term for the basic position is "upright spin". Common variations are the "A spin", "I spin", "Y spin", "crossfoot spin", "corkscrew spin", and "headless spin".	Following
Layback spin	LSp	The official term for the basic position is "layback spin" or "upright layback spin". A common variation in women's singles is the "layback Biellmann spin", named after Denise Biellmann. It should only be shortened to "Biellmann spin" if it is clearly distinguished from the "camel Biellmann", also called "half-Biellmann", which is considered a camel spin variation.
Sit spin	SSp	The official term for the basic position is "sit spin". Common variations are the "pancake spin", "shoot-the-duck spin", "broken leg spin", and "tuck-behind spin".
Camel spin	CSp	The official term for the basic position is "camel spin". Common variations are the "doughnut spin", "bent-leg layover spin", also known as "Yuna camel spin" named after Yuna Kim, and the "camel Biellmann spin" or "half-Biellmann spin", which must be clearly distinguished from the "layback Biellmann spin". The "flying camel spin entry" or "flying camel" is also known as the "Button camel", named after Dick Button.
Spin combination	CoSp	The official term used in the ISU Technical Panel Handbook is "spin combination". It is defined as a spin element with a change of position. A spin element that only includes a change of variation within one basic position, is not considered a spin combination.	The term "combination spin", though commonly used by news outlets, is incorrect.
Spin vs. spin element		A "spin element" can consist of multiple spins if they immediately follow each other by a change of foot, rotation direction or a mid-spin jump. According to the ISU Technical Panel Handbook 2023–24, a spin element with these features is considered as one spin, so these two terms can be used interchangeably, unless the context requires a clear distinction.
Pair spin	PSp PCoSp	The official term is "pair spin" if executed in one position, or "pair spin combination" if executed with a change of position. Example: "a pair spin combination Level 2" or "a Level 2 pair spin combination", abbreviated as PCoSp2.	The pair spin must not be confused with the "dance spin" in ice dance.
Solo spin vs. pair spin		In pair skating, the term "solo spin" refers to a spin element that is executed side-by-side, while a "pair spin" is peformed with the skaters touching each other. The "solo spin" must not be called "pair spin", even though it is an element specific for pair skating. Solo spins are abbreviated the same way as spin elements in single skating.	The "solo spin" must not be mixed up with a spin performed in one position or a spin element that consists of one spin.

Other elements

Other technical elements

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Spiral sequence	SpSq	The official term is "spiral sequence". It refers to a discontinued technical element in women's singles, consisting of two or more spirals, which could be executed in different variations. Some common variations were the "arabesque spiral", "fan spiral", "Biellmann spiral" (named after Denise Biellmann), "Charlotte spiral" (named after Charlotte Oelschlägel), "Kerrigan spiral" (named after Nancy Kerrigan), and the "Y spiral". The spiral sequence was assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer from 1 to 4). Example: "a Level 2 spiral sequence", abbreviated as SpSq2.	Make sure to clearly distinguish the full "spiral sequence" as a technical element from a single "spiral" as a move in the field.
Lift	Li	The official term is "pair skating lift", which is recommended to be used at first mention to distinguish it from lifts in ice dance. At subsequent mentions, it can be shortened to "lift". Each lift is assinged a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer from 1 to 4). The ISU distinguishes five groups of lifts in pairs: Group 1: "lift in armpit hold" Group 2: "lift in waist hold" Group 3: "lift in hip or upper leg hold" Group 4: "press lift" (in arm or hand hold) Group 5: "lasso lift" (five types) Example 1: "a Level 3 press lift" or "a press lift Level 3", abbreviated with 4Li3. Example 2: "a lift in waist hold" or "a group 2 lift", abbreviated with 2Li.
Lasso lift		The official term for this lift group is "lasso lift". The ISU distinguishes five types of lasso lifts, namely the "toe lift" (5TLi), "step lift" (5SLi), "backward lift" (5BLi), "Axel lift" (5ALi), and "reverse lift" (5RLi). Example: "a Level 3 reverse lift", abbreviated with 5RLi3.	In "axel lift", the term "Axel" must be capitalized, as it is named after Axel Paulsen.
Twist lift	Tw	The official term is "twist lift", which should be used at first mention. At subsequent mentions, it can be shortened to "twist". The base value of a twist element is determined by the number of revolutions and the level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example 1: "a Level 4 triple twist", abbreviated with 3Tw4. Example 2: "quadruple twist" or "quad twist", abbreviated with 4Tw.	The term "twist jump" is incorrect. A figure skating element is only considered a "jump" if the skater lands without assistance by the partner.
Death spiral	Ds	The official term is "death spiral", while its most basic execution is also called a "pivot figure" (PiF). Death spirals are distinguished by the skating direction and edge and assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example 1: "a forward inside death spiral Level 3", abbreviated as FiDs3. Example 2: "a backward outside death spiral", abbreviated as BoDs.	The shortened form "spiral" must not be used. In figure skating, the term "spiral" refers to a move in the field.

Technical elements in ice dance

• The general recommendations regarding style and usage are essentially the same as for singles and pairs above.
• Abbreviations in ice dance can be particularly long and complex with many required explanations like "SqTwW4+SqTwM3". They should only be mentioned if absolutely necessary.
• The recommendations presented in this section, if not otherwise stated, are based on the official 2023–24 ISU Technical Panel Handbook and ISU Scale of Values for ice dance.

Pattern dances

Pattern dances

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Pattern dance

Other dance elements

Other dance elements

Official term	Abbr.	Correct terminology	Wrong terminology
Pattern dance type step sequence	PSt	The official term is "pattern dance type step sequence", which is recommended to be used at every mention to clearly distinguish it from the "pattern dance" and other types of step sequences. The pattern dance type step sequence is assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a Level 3 pattern dance type step sequence", abbreviated with PSt3.	Do not shorten this element with "pattern dance" or "step sequence".
Step sequence in hold or not touching	St	The official term is "step sequence in hold" or "not touching step sequence". The ISU distinguishes four types of such step sequences: the "midline step sequence" (MiSt), "diagonal step sequence" (DiSt), "circular step sequence" (CiSt), and the "serpentine step sequence" (SeSt). It is assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a Level 3 midline step sequence", abbreviated with MiSt3.	Make sure to clearly distinguish this type of step sequence from the "pattern dance type" and the "one foot turns type".
One foot turns sequence	OFT	The official term is "one foot turns sequence", which is recommended to be used at every mention to distinguish it from other types of sequences. The one foot turns sequence is assigned a level of difficulty separately for each partner (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a one foot turns sequence with Level 4 for both partners", abbreviated with OFTW4+OFTM4.	The term "one foot turn sequence" is incorrect.
Set of twizzles	STw	The official term for the technical element is "set of twizzles". Since the 2022–23 season, the ISU distinguishes between a "set of sequential twizzles" (SqTw) and a "set of synchronized twizzles" (SyTw). Sequential twizzles must not be separated by more than one step, while in a set of synchronized twizzles, the first two twizzle turns must be separated by two to four steps. A set of twizzles is assigned a level of difficulty separately for each partner (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a set of synchronized twizzles with Level 4 for Madison Chock and Level 3 for Evan Bates", abbreviated with SyTwW4+SyTwM3.	Avoid using the ambiguous term "twizzles". Make sure to clearly distinguish the "set of twizzles" from a single "twizzle turn".
Dance spin	DSp	The official term is "dance spin", which should be used at every mention. It is assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a dance spin Level 2" or "a Level 2 dance spin", abbreviated as DSp2.	The dance spin must not be confused with the "pair spin" in pair skating.
Dance lift	Li	The official term is "dance lift". The ISU distinguishes four types of dance lifts: the "stationary lift" (StaLi), "straight line lift" (SlLi), "curve lift" (CuLi), and the "rotational lift" (RoLi). A dance lift is assigned a level of difficulty (B for basic or an integer between 1 and 4). Example: "a Level 2 curve lift", abbreviated with CuLi2.	Though the "stationary lift" is executed with a rotational movement, it must not be mixed up with the "rotational lift" or "dance spin".
Choreographic element	Ch	The official term is "choreographic element", which covers eight types of elements: the "choreographic rhythm sequence" (ChRS), "choreographic character step sequence" (ChSt), "choreographic sliding movements" (ChSl), "choreographic twizzling movement" (ChTw), "choreographic hydroblading movement" (ChHy), "choreographic assisted jumps" (ChAJ), "choreographic spinning movement" (ChSp), and the "choreographic dance lift" (ChLi). Though these elements are not assigned any level of difficulty, they are abbreviated with ChRS1, ChSt1, etc. on ISU score sheets.	The "choreographic element" must not be mixed up with the "choreographic sequence" in singles and pairs. Make sure to clearly distinguish the different types of choreographic elements from their non-choreographic counterparts.

Program titles

The naming of figure skating programs follows the general conventions for music titles as per WP:NCMUSIC and MOS:MUSIC. Here is a quick overview:

Program titles

Title type	Correct stylization	Examples
Classical music	Musical forms and generic titles of classical music pieces are not italicized. True titles and major works of classical pieces are italicized.	Piano Concerto No. 2, Ballade No. 1, Sixth Symphony Moonlight Sonata, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, The Four Seasons
Ballet	Full ballets as well as single acts or dances are italicized.	Danse des petits cygnes from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker
Opera	Full operas are italicized. Single songs are placed in quotation marks.	Carmen, Turandot "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot
Musical	Full musicals, both theatre and film, are italicized. Single songs are placed in quotation marks.	The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King "The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera
Soundtrack	Full soundtracks of movies, video games or other audiovisual works are italicized. Single songs are placed in quotation marks.	Moulin Rouge!, Game of Thrones, Super Mario Bros. "El Tango de Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge!
Song	Songs are placed in quotation marks.	"Bohemian Rhapsody", "Pokerface", "Hey Jude"
Medley	Medleys of different music pieces with a true title are italicized, medleys with general titles are not.	Hope and Legacy, International Angel of Peace Michael Jackson medley, Queen medley
Title in foreign language	For original titles in a foreign language with Latin script, use {{lang}}. For original titles in non-Latin script like Cyrillic or Kana and Kanji, add a Latin transliteration using {{transliteration}}. Do NOT use the markup ''...'' to italicize titles in foreign language.	"{{lang|es|Malagueña}}" renders as "Malagueña" "{{transliteration|ja|Hana ni nare}}" renders as "Hana ni nare"

See also

• Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Figure skating
• Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers
• Wikipedia:Make technical articles understandable

External links

• International Skating Union (official website)
• U.S. Figure Skating (official website)