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The free dance (FD) is a segment of an ice dance competition, the second contested. It follows the rhythm dance (RD). Skaters perform "a creative dance program blending dance steps and movements expressing the character/rhythm(s) of the dance music chosen by the couple".[1] Its duration is four minutes for senior ice dancers, and 3.5 minutes for juniors. French ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron hold the highest recorded international FD score of 137.09 points.[2]
The free dance (FD) takes place after the rhythm dance in all junior and senior ice dance competitions.[3] The International Skating Union (ISU), the body that oversees figure skating, defines the FD as "the skating by the couple of a creative dance program blending dance steps and movements expressing the character/rhythm(s) of the dance music chosen by the couple".[1] The FD must have combinations of new or known dance steps and movements, as well as required elements.[1] The program must "utilize the full ice surface,"[4] and be well-balanced. It must contain required combinations of elements (spins, lifts, steps, and movements), and choreography that express both the characters of the competitors and the music chosen by them. It must also display the skaters' "excellent skating technique"[1] and creativity in expression, concept, and arrangement.[5] The FD's choreography must reflect the music's accents, nuances, and dance character, and the ice dancers must "skate primarily in time to the rhythmic beat of the music and not to the melody alone".[1] For senior ice dancers, the FD must have a duration of four minutes; for juniors, 3.5 minutes.[5]
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron hold the highest FD score of 137.09 points, which they achieved at the 2022 World Championships. They also hold the six highest recorded FD scores.[2][note 1]
The ISU announces the specific requirements for the FD each year.[7] For example, the ISU published the rules for the 2022–23 season in April 2022. The following elements make up a well-balanced program: the Dance Lift, the Dance Spin, the Step Sequence, Synchronized Twizzles, and Choreographic Elements.[8]
| Elements[8] | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| Dance lift | Two different types of short lifts, up to seven seconds each
or one combination lift, up to 12 seconds in total. |
Three different types of short lifts, up to 7 seconds
or one short lift, up to seven seconds each, and one combination lift, up to 12 seconds in total. |
| The lifted partner's difficult pose or change of pose must be different from the same kind of short lift in the RD or part of the same kind of lift in the combination lift. If the lifted partner's difficult pose or change of pose is repeated in the same kind of lift, it is considered a simple pose and/or a change of post in the FD. | ||
| Dance spin | One dance spin (spin or combination spin)
In the 2022–23 season, the dance spin is a "spin skated by the Couple together in any hold" and must be "performed on the spot around a common axis on one foot with or without change(s) of foot by one or both partners.[8] | |
| Straight line or Curve types of Step Sequences |
One Step Sequence in Hold Its pattern must maintain the integrity or basic shape of the chosen pattern. One Retrogression is permitted, but must not exceed two measures of music. Stops, loops, and separations of more than two arms length and/or exceeding five seconds not permitted. Hand in hand hold with fully extended arms cannot be established. The pattern of the Step Sequence must maintain the integrity or basic shape of the chosen pattern. One One-Foot Step Sequence, Not-Touching Difficult turns must be performed on one foot by each partner and must be started with the first difficult turn at the same time. Additional difficult turns do not have to be executed simultaneously. | |
| Synchronized twizzles | One set of synchronized twizzles
At least two twizzles for each partner, with a minimum of two steps and up to four steps between first and second twizzles. (Each push and/or transfer of weight while on two feet between twizzles is considered as a step.) Partners must be in contact at some point between the first and second twizzles. | |
| Choreographic elements | Two different Choreographic elements chosen from:
|
Three different Choreographic elements, chosen from:
|
