Most of the USFSA compulsory dances are derived from traditional ballroom dances (i.e. waltz, tango, foxtrot, etc.) But there are also a few "new age" type dances working their way into the system. Ice dance is very different from pair skating in that there are restrictions on lifts, jumps, and spins.
One of the most popular misconceptions about ice dance is that it requires a partner. Not so! Many competitions offer various levels of solo dance as an event. When testing compulsory dances, skaters are allowed to test with a coach, a "rented" partner, or even solo. Solo tests are separate from regular compulsory tests, however (except for Pre-Silver and above, where a skater may be required to perform the dances as a solo in addition to doing it with a partner in order to pass a test).
In qualifying competitions, the event consists of compulsory dances, an original dance, and, for some levels, a free dance.
Compulsory dances are set pattern ballroom type dances prescribed by the USFSA. The music is kept to a regular, precise number of beats per minute, and the skater(s) are expected to skate to the music in strict time. Judging is based on accuracy of steps, placement of the pattern, the style and carrige of the skater(s), and, for couples, the unison. They are also judged on their timing with the music and their expression of the character of the dance.
The original dance is also a ballroom type dance, except it is the coach of the skaters who makes up the dance pattern. The key word here is pattern. Each year at the beginning of the season, the USFSA selects a style of music (i.e. Waltz, Jive, Tango, etc) to be used by all teams competing; generally the style chosen differs from level to level. It is up to the dance team to choose music that conforms to the rules specified for that season, and to make up the dance for competition. The couple is then judged on everything they were judged on in the compulsory dance, minus the accuracy of the steps (since the judges cannot possibly know every single team's program).
The free dance is just what it's name implies: a free dance. The couple may choose appropriate music, and a program without pattern, and other than the imposed restrictions which keep ice dance from turning into pair skating, they are free to do almost anything. This is probably the most exciting part about ice dance. It just goes to show that you don't need flashy jumps and spins for figure skating to be fun to watch...or to do it yourself.
Junior and Senior events: Where two compulsory dances are required, each dance counts for 10% of the final score. Where one is required, it counts for 20% of the final score. The original dance counts for 30%, and the free dance for 50%
Cool music tool (requires Java
Margarita Drobiazko and Polivas Vanagas (Lithuanian dance team)
