3.33.02 An OD must
incorporate not only existing and recognizable steps, but
also new and original steps.
3.33.03 The pattern
of the dance is very important in determining Technical
Merit. A dance which utilizes the entire skating surface is
more difficult than a dance which uses ninety per cent of the
surface. A dance possessing good Technical Merit will use the
corners of the skating surface.
3.33.04 The
lobes of an OD must be deep, with the flow of the dance maintained
at all times.
3.33.05 The
skaters should use as many positions as possible. A
constantly changing relationship of the partners indicates a great
degree of difficulty.
3.33.06 Novelty
items are perfectly acceptable, provided they are not excessive and
fit the character of the music.
3.33.07
Difficult steps, position, and novelties must not impair the speed
of the dance.
3.33.08 The
character of the dance should be obvious throughout the entire
dance. There should be no lapses in any part of the
dance. All steps should coordinate to the phrasing of the
chosen rhythm.
3.33.09 Even
the most difficult steps must be skated with ease, they are of
little value if not performed with confidence. Clean
execution of steps is a must for good artistic impression.
The skaters should make the difficult steps look easy, with flow
throughout the dance. (CIPA 3.33.10)
3.33.10 A
team’s unison and line are very important to the overall
impression. The team should present a total look of
togetherness, using bodies, legs, arms, heads, hands, etc., for a
total performance. It is not necessary that the couple
perform the same steps or the same movements at the same time, but
remember, separate movements must co-ordinate to form a complete
“picture”
3.33.11 THE
DANCE MUST NOT BE A FREE DANCE.
3.34.01 Each couple must
choose their own music, tempo, and composition. Orchestral
music and vocal music is permitted. This does not
preclude background musical effects, which are considered as being
expressive of a particular type of folk music. The incorrect
selection of music for the rhythm chosen shall result in a mark of
point zero (.0) by each judge.
3.34.02 The
rhythm is set each year by CIPA (see ER 5.22 –
5.22.02)
3.35.01 The OD shall be a total time of 2.30 (two minutes thirty seconds) +/- 10 seconds. Timing of the dance will begin with the first movement and end with the last movement.
3.35.02 The OD can be started at any place on the floor.
Execution of the Original Dance (OD) – SR 3.36
3.36.01 The choice of
steps, connecting steps, turns and rotations is left to the
skaters, provided those choices conform to the OD
rules. This does not exhaust all the possibilities of
steps, turns and rotations. Any are permissible, providing
that at least one skate of each skater remains on the skating
surface at all times throughout the dance except for 3.37.02 and
3.36.07.. Toe stop steps are permitted but remember
whilst on the toe stop, there are no edges skated and therefore
considered less difficult. Little hops (lifting of the
skating foot a small distance from the floor) are allowed to
express the character of the dance.
3.36.02 Two
stops are allowed during the dance which must not exceed 10 (ten)
seconds for each stop.
3.36.03 Pulling
or pushing the partner by the boot or skate is not
permitted.
3.36.04
Partners must not separate except to change dance holds, or to
perform brief movements in character with the rhythm chosen, or
during a permitted stop, provided that they are performed no more
than 2 arms- length apart and no more than 10 (ten) seconds
except for 3.37.01.
3.36.05 There
are no restrictions on dance holds, arm movements, hand claps etc.
which are interpretive of the music.
3.36.06 The
dance must contain difficult movements and be expressive of the
music.
3.36.07 During
the first and the last 10 (ten) seconds of the OD the following
movements are allowed (but not obligatory):
a) laying with hands, knees or other parts of the body on the skating surface
b) stationary movements in character with the rhythm of the OD
A deduction of 0.2 from both the A and B mark will be made for any violation of the above
3.37.01 One straight-line step sequence,
along the long axis of the rink, extending as near as possible the
full length of the skating surface. During this step
sequence the partners MUST NOT touch but remain no more than one
arms length apart.
NOTE:- the closer the couple
skate this sequence without touching, and the more difficult the
steps/turns, will obviously receive more credit.
3.37.02 One change of direction lift – one small lift MUST BE executed with one change of direction – there must not be more than one half (1/2) revolution in the lift, only a change of direction, (either change of edge and/or forwards to backwards, or backwards to forwards), with the lady’s waist no higher than the man’s shoulder.
3.38.01 Costumes for the Original Dance (OD) should be in character with the dance but not extreme. Props of any nature are forbidden. For the complete guidelines concerning costumes, consult ER 5.28
3.39.01 Scores are assigned for the Original Dance as outlined in ER 5.26
3.39.02 The first score (Technical Merit – A) shall be assigned based on the following factors exhibited by the team:
• Originality
• Difficult
• Variety
• Position
• Pattern
• Speed of the Dance
The second score (Artistic Impression – B) shall be assigned based on the following factors exhibited by the team:
• Correct timing of the dance
• Movements of the couple in rhythm
• Relationship of the skating movements to the character of the music.
• Cleanness, execution, and utilization of the skating surface
• General carriage and line of the couple.
For assignment of standard point deductions for compulsory dance, Original Dance, and Free Dance, please consult SR 3.47 to SR 3.51