Rhythm dance

The rhythm dance (RD) is the first segment of an ice dance competition. The International Skating Union (ISU) renamed the short dance to the "rhythm dance" in June 2018, prior to the 2018–2019 season. It became part of international competitions in July 2018. American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates hold the highest RD score of 93.91, which they achieved at the World Team Trophy in 2023.

Background

The rhythm dance (RD) is the first segment performed in all junior and senior ice dance competitions, performed before the free dance (FD), at all International Skating Union (ISU) Championships, Junior and Senior ISU Grand Prix events and finals, Winter Youth Olympic Games, qualifying competitions for the Winter Olympic Games, and Olympic Winter Games.^[1] The ISU defines the RD as "a dance created by an Ice Dance Couple to dance music with designated rhythm(s) and/or theme(s)"^[2] selected and announced by the ISU yearly. In 2010, the ISU voted to eliminate the compulsory dance (CD) and the original dance (OD) and change the structure of ice dance competitions to include the short dance (SD) and free dance (FD).^[3] In the 2018–19 season, the short dance (SD) came to be known as the rhythm dance (RD) because, according to the ISU, the new term "is better aligned with what the competition is all about".^[4] The structure and rules for the RD, however, remained essentially the same.^[5]

For both junior and senior dance teams, the duration of the RD is "2 minutes and 50 seconds (unless otherwise decided by the Ice Dance Technical Committee and announced in an ISU Communication)".^[6] The ISU states that the time a program begins "must be reckoned" from the moment the skaters begin to move or skate until they come to a complete stop at the end of their program.^[7] The RD includes what the ISU calls a "pattern dance element," which it defines as a "series of prescribed steps, turns and movements in a Rhythm Dance"^[8] consisting of a sequence and/or section of a pattern dance and a combination of steps or turns from a pattern dance.^[8]

The RD must include a set pattern dance, which the ISU defines as "the design of the dance on the ice".^[9][a] Pattern dance diagrams, published by the ISU, include everything ice dancers need to know to perform one complete pattern, called a sequence, of the dance. Ice dancers can choose to perform the set pattern dance, following as closely as possible the direction, location, and curvature of all edges as designated in the diagram. They can also perform the optional pattern dance, which can be altered as long as the dancers maintain the original dance's step sequences, timing, and positions, and if each repetition is performed in the same way and is restarted from the same place as the first repetition.^[9]

The RD should be "developed through skating skill and quality",^[10] rather than through "non-skating actions such as sliding on one knee"^[10] or through the use of toe steps (which should only be used to reflect the music's nuances and underlying rhythm, and the dance's character). RDs should be choreographed to reach all sides of the ice rink, and not be focused only on the judges' section. Touching the ice with the hands is not allowed, unless otherwise specified and announced by the ISU; sliding or kneeling on two knees, or sitting on the ice, are also not allowed, as these are considered by the judges to be a fall, unless otherwise specified/announced.^[10]

The music chosen by the ice dance teams for the RD, including music for the specified pattern dance, can include vocals, must be "suitable for Ice Dance as a sport discipline",^[2] and must reflect the character of the music and/or selected dance rhythms and/or themes.^[11] The RD must fit the phrasing of the music ice dance teams use. It must "be translated to the ice by demonstrating technical skill with steps and movements along with flow and the use of edges".^[2] Ice dance teams can choose music with "an audible rhythmic beat,"^[11] although the music can be, at the start of the program, "without an audible rhythmic beat"^[11] for up to 10 seconds. There are no restrictions on dance holds or any variation of dance holds during the RD.^[11] Ice dance teams lose points (one point per program) if they stop in one place for more than ten seconds at the beginning and/or at the end of their programs. They are allowed a full stop of up to ten seconds, or two full stops of up to five seconds each, during the course of the program. A dance spin or choreographic spinning movement that does not travel is considered a stop. Ice dance teams should not separate, except when necessary for performing any required element or to change a hold, and they can only be separated by up to two arms' lengths during that time. Separations that occur at the beginning and/or end of the program can only last up to 10 seconds, and there are no restrictions on the distance of the separation at that time.^[11]

Madison Chock and Evan Bates at the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships

All changes of position, dance steps, rotations, and turns are allowed, as long as they follow the music and the designated rhythms. The two skaters can fully extend their arms while skating in a hand-to-hand hold only if it reflects the character of their chosen music rhythm, but this method of separation must not be excessively used.^[11] Both partners must perform "difficult, original, varied and intricate footwork"^[11] during the RD. As of the 2019–20 season, female ice dancers were allowed to wear trousers; in the 2024–2025 season, both partners could wear trousers of any length during their RD.^[12]

American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates hold the highest RD score of 93.91, which they achieved at the World Team Trophy in 2023.^[13]

Requirements 2025-2026 season

The required elements for the RD are announced by the ISU yearly.^[14] As of the 2022-2023 season, senior ice dancers no longer had to perform a pattern dance in the RDs, but instead were required to execute a choreographic rhythm sequence, which was evaluated as a choreographic element by the judges.^[15] The elements that may be required in the RD are: dance lift(s), dance spin(s), turn sequence(s), step sequence(s), pattern dance element(s), and choreographic element(s).^[10]

The RD has to reflect the character of the music and/or theme(s) of the selected rhythm or theme. For the 2025-2026 season, which was published in May 2025,^[14] the ISU selected for both seniors and junior teams was "The Music, Dance Styles and Feeling of the 1990s". The music teams chose had to be released, either as a cover version or originally, during the 1990s, as long as the music "takes inspiration from the high energy and entertaining dance styles from this decade".^[16] They could use music created via artificial intelligence inspired by the 1990s. The ISU gave examples of the genres of music teams could use, although they were not limited to these choices: pop and/or Street Latin, House music and/or Techno, Hip-hop, and Grunge Rock.^[16] The ISU also stated that the required characteristics of the RD's music style had to be "[h]igh energy and crowd pleasing, demonstrating the essence of the 1990s".^[16] The RD was not based on the Classical, Contemporary, Folk, and Ballroom styles of dance and could not be skated in the style of that season's FD. ISU's requirement that all music chosen for ice dancing competitions "must not include aggressive and/or offending lyrics"^[16] was also in effect for RDs. RD music that did not adhere to the ISU's music requirements was subject to deductions in the teams' scores.^[16]

Junior ice dance teams had to execute two sequences of the Rhumba, followed by one sequence of the quickstep in their pattern dance (PD) element, with a consistent tempo (a minimum of 120 beats per minute, in 2/2, 2/4, or 4/4 time). If they did not, they received no value for the PD.^[17][b] Senior ice dancing teams had perform one pattern dance type step sequence (PSt), for "any exact number of musical phrases",^[17] and in a circular-shaped pattern, for a minimum of 120 beats per minute, in 2/2, 2/4, or 4/4 time. They had to remain in contact at all times during the program, even during changes of holds, except when performing twizzles as their connecting choreography. They had to perform two different difficult turns per partner from the following turns: the back-entry rocker, the counter, the back-entry bracket, and the forward outside Mohawk. The following were not allowed: one or more stops, separations (except during twizzles), retrogressions, hand-in-hand holds with fully extended arms, and loops.^[17]

Senior ice dance team had to execute a Choreographic Rhythm Sequence (ChRS). They had to remain in a hand-in-hand hold with fully extended arms at all times during the ChRS, meaning they had to remain in contact, except during a permitted separation. Only one separation was allowed, lasting for no more than two arm lengths apart and for no more than seconds in duration. Only one stop was allowed, at the beginning or end of an element, but for no more than five seconds. Retrogressions and loops were not allowed during the ChRS.^[18]

Both junior and senior teams had to execute one not-touching step sequence, but no more than two arm-lengths apart from each other. They could only skate in a midline or diagonal pattern around the ice rink, and they could touch the ice with any part of their bodies, but only for up to five seconds. They were also allowed one stop, lasting for no more than five seconds. Loops and retrogressions were also not allowed during step sequences.^[18]

Both senior and junior ice dance teams had to perform only one short lift during the RD, lasting up to eight seconds. They also had to execute one set of sequential twizzles, which included at least two twizzles per partner, during which they could not be in contact with each other, and they could make up to one step between twizzles.^[18]

Notes

1. See S&P/ID 2024, p. 140, for the list of pattern dances.
2. See ISU Communication No. 2704, p. 5, for a diagram of the general layout of the Rhumba and quickstep, skated back-to-back, on the rink.