Compulsory Dances - Two compulsory dances are selected for senior competition. They must be skated to designated rythms and patterns. Technical perfection and expressive interpretation are required. The compulsory dances make up 20% of the final mark.
Free Dance - The free dance consists of original dance moves and steps to ballroom music of the skaters' choice. Acceptable music includes a rythmic beat and melody (ballroom). The free dance lasts 4:00 minutes for seniors and 3:00 minutes for juniors with a 10-second tolerance. It is 50% of the final mark.
Fox-Trot Hold - This hold is often called the Open position. The waltz hold is used but the man and the lady open into a V-position and skate in the same direction. This is very similar to the Promenade position in ballroom dancing.
Hand in Hand Hold - In this position the man and the lady face the same direction and skate side by side. It is most common to have the lady on the man's right side.
Ice Dancing - Ice dancing is really ballroom dancing on ice. It is distinguished from pair skating by the absence of jumps, spins or lifts above the shoulders. The emphasis is on musicality, artistry and interpretation. Also in ice dancing, the couple is not permitted to separate, except for brief periods to change holds and/or positions. The senior and junior dance comprises of three segments: the compulsory dances, the original dance and the free dance.
Kilian Hold - The man and the lady skate in the same direction, facing the same way. The man is on the lady's left, with her left shoulder against his right shoulder.
Original Dance - Different tempos are selected annually for the original dance. Each team may select its own music and choreography but must comply with the requirements of the dance selected. The original dance id 30% of the final mark.
Reverse Kilian Hold - This is the same as the Kilian Hold described above except the man is on the lady's right. The Fiesta tango Dance is performed in this hold.
Tango Hold - In this hold the man and the lady face the opposite directions. The hold is similar to the Waltz Hold, but the partners do not skate directly opposite one another. The skate hip to hip, with the man on the left or the right of the lady. This position can also be called the Outside position.
Waltz Hold - This also may be called the closed position. The man and tha lady face each other, one is skating forward and the other is skating backwards. The man's right hand is placed strongly against the lady's back at the shoulder balde with the elbow raised and bent. The lady places her left hand on his right shoulder. The man's left arm and the lady's right arm are extended at shoulder height.
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