Precision Skating - What Is It?
Precision skating is a specialized branch of skating distinct from figures, free skating, ice dancing and pair skating. It involves teams of skaters (from twelve to twenty-four) performing a variety of types of footwork, group formations and skating manoeuvres. Heads, legs, arms and bodies must be synchronized and in unison. Formations must be accurate; lines must be straight.
Programs are judged for technical difficulty and presentation (artistic impression). There is a panel of nine judges, one referee and one assistant referee. The scores of all nine judges are used. The programs are scored with 2 marks out of 6.0; one mark for composition and one for presentation. Junior and Senior teams have a short program which lasts 2:40 minutes and a long program, which lasts 4:00 minutes at the junior level and 4:30 minutes at the senior level. Juvenile, novice and adult teams only compete with a free program that is 3:00 minutes for juveniles and 3:30 minutes for novice and adult.
The short program (also called the technical program) has 5 required elements in this program: kicking line, maneuver, intersecting maneuver, circle and block. Judges look for footwork, changing arm positions, closeness, speed and straight lines.
The long program (also called the free program) must include three changes in rhythm and speed or tempo, but otherwise has no required elements. Innovative moves and creativity are very important in addition to the technical elements. Clothing for competitions assist with conveying the theme, but must also be suitable for athletic competition.
In 1994, the technical program for senior competitors was combined with the free program. In 1995, the same was done for junior competitors.
Levels
Juvenile
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must not have reached twelve years of age by July 1st preceding the competition. Juvenile teams do not compete at the national level.
Novice
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must not have reached fifteen years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Junior
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must have reached at least twelve years of age but may not have reached nineteen years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Senior
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must have reached twelve years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Adult
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must be at least twenty-one years of age or older by July 1st with 75% of the team over twenty-five years of age or older as of July 1st preceding the competition.
History of Precision Skating
Precision skating was started by Dr.Richard Porter,in Ann Arbor,Michigan during the 1956-57 season. The team was called the "Hockettes" because they skated between periods at U of M hockey games. At first, there were no competitions. Around 1960, three competitions were organized in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Those states created the first international competition, [called The Tri-States] taking place in Ann Arbor, MI in 1976. It was the first time that Canadian precision teams competed in an international competition.