Understanding the IJS Judging Explained for Skating

The International Judging System (IJS) serves as the definitive framework for scoring modern figure skating, replacing the legacy 6.0 system with a data-driven approach to athlete performance. In contemporary competition, IJS judging explained through the lens of the International Skating Union (ISU) reveals a complex balance between athleticism and artistry. This system relies on a triple axel base value and other jump metrics to reward difficulty, while the figure skating scoring system uses technical vs component scores to differentiate between raw execution and presentation. By analyzing skating jump difficulty, under-rotation penalties, and edge calls, officials ensure that quads in women’s skating and skating level 4 requirements meet rigorous standards. Ultimately, a detailed judge scoring breakdown provides transparency for athletes navigating the highest levels of the sport.

The Architecture of the International Judging System

The transition to the current figure skating scoring system was prompted by a need for objective, quantifiable metrics in a sport often perceived as subjective. Managed by the International Skating Union (ISU), the IJS divides a skater’s total segment score into two primary categories: the Technical Element Score (TES) and the Program Component Score (PCS). This separation allows specialists to focus on the physics of jumps and spins while a separate panel evaluates the aesthetic and compositional quality of the performance.

In elite competition, such as the World Figure Skating Championships or the Winter Olympics, the TES is calculated based on the “Base Value” of every move performed. Each element, from a simple spin to a quadruple Lutz, is assigned a fixed numerical worth in the Scale of Values (SoV) table. This ensures that a skater’s starting potential is transparent before they even take the ice, provided they execute their planned content as intended.

The “Grade of Execution” (GOE) then modifies this base value. Seven to nine judges evaluate the quality of the element on a scale from -5 to +5. These marks are averaged (using a trimmed mean to eliminate outliers) and added to or subtracted from the base value. This mechanism ensures that a perfectly executed triple jump can occasionally outscore a poorly landed quadruple jump, maintaining a balance between ambition and precision.

Technical vs Component Scores: Balancing Power and Art

The distinction between technical vs component scores represents the dual nature of figure skating as both a sport and an art form. While the TES measures “what” the skater did, the PCS measures “how” they did it. In recent years, the ISU refined the components from five categories down to three: Composition, Presentation, and Skating Skills. This streamlining was intended to reduce overlapping scores and force judges to be more discerning in their evaluations.

Skating Skills remain the foundation of the PCS, focusing on edge control, flow across the ice, and multi-directional skating. A skater with high technical proficiency but poor “ice coverage” or labored transitions will see a significant gap between their TES and PCS. Conversely, seasoned performers often rely on high component scores to remain competitive against younger athletes with higher jump difficulty.

The weighting of these scores varies by segment. In the Men’s Short Program, the PCS is multiplied by a factor of 1.0, whereas in the Free Skate, it is multiplied by 2.0. This factoring ensures that the technical and artistic halves of the sport carry roughly equal weight in the final standings. It prevents the sport from becoming a pure jumping contest while still rewarding those who push the boundaries of human physiology.

Key Stats: Scoring Component Weights

Decoding Skating Jump Difficulty and Base Values

At the heart of the TES lies skating jump difficulty, which is categorized by the take-off edge and the number of revolutions. The six recognized jumps—Toeloop, Salchow, Loop, Flip, Lutz, and Axel—each carry a different base value reflecting their inherent difficulty. The Axel is universally regarded as the most difficult because it is the only jump with a forward take-off, requiring an extra half-revolution to land backward.

For many years, the triple axel base value of 8.00 served as the benchmark for elite women and a baseline for men. However, the rise of quads in women’s skating has shifted the landscape. Skaters like Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova demonstrated that quadruple jumps, which carry base values ranging from 9.50 (Quad Toeloop) to 11.50 (Quad Lutz), are essential for securing a place on the international podium.

The Technical Controller and Technical Specialists monitor these jumps in real-time. They use high-speed video replay to verify that the skater achieved the required rotations. If a skater falls short, specific notations are applied to the score sheet, significantly reducing the points earned. This level of scrutiny ensures that the “arms race” for more revolutions does not come at the expense of fundamental technique.

Identifying Under-Rotation Penalties and Edge Calls

The IJS judging explained to fans often focuses on the “protractors” used by the technical panel to identify under-rotation penalties. If a jump is missing more than a quarter-revolution but less than a half-revolution, it is marked with a “q” (quarter) or a “<” (under-rotated). An under-rotated jump receives only 80% of its original base value, a penalty that can cost a skater a gold medal in a tight competition.

Furthermore, edge calls are a critical aspect of technical accuracy. The Flip and Lutz jumps are often confused by casual observers, but they require distinct take-off edges (inside for Flip, outside for Lutz). If a skater uses the wrong edge, a “v” or “e” (edge) notation is triggered.

• “!” (Attention): The edge is flat or unclear; judges may reduce the GOE.

• “e” (Edge): The edge is definitively incorrect; the base value is reduced, and GOE must be negative.

These technical nuances create a “clean” versus “dirty” protocol. A skater may land all their jumps, but if their protocol is littered with under-rotation marks and edge calls, their actual score will be significantly lower than their “planned program content” suggested. This precision is what separates the elite “Technical Specialists” from the general judging panel.

Mastering Skating Level 4 Requirements in Non-Jump Elements

While jumps garner the most attention, spins and step sequences are vital for a balanced score. These elements are graded by “Levels” ranging from Base to Level 4. Achieving skating level 4 requirements requires the athlete to perform specific “features” or variations that increase the difficulty of the move.

For a spin to reach Level 4, a skater might need to demonstrate:

1. A difficult change of position (e.g., a “pancake” sit spin).

2. A change of foot with a difficult entrance.

3. Eight continuous revolutions without a change of position or edge.

4. A clear increase in speed or a change of edge during the spin.

In the step sequence, Level 4 is achieved through a combination of complex turns (brackets, rockers, counters, and twizzles) performed in both directions on both feet, utilizing the full body and covering the entire ice surface. For top-tier athletes, anything less than a Level 4 on these elements is considered a lost opportunity for “free” points, as these do not carry the same physical risk as quadruple jumps.

Detailed Judge Scoring Breakdown: The Protocol

The final judge scoring breakdown is provided in a document known as the “protocol.” This sheet lists every element performed, its base value, the GOE from each judge, and the factored program components. This document is a transparent record that allows coaches and athletes to identify exactly where points were gained or lost.

“The protocol is the roadmap of a performance,” says veteran ISU official Sonia Bianchetti Garbato. “It strips away the emotion and leaves the cold, hard facts of what was achieved on the ice.”

By examining a protocol, one can see the “Segment Score,” which is the sum of the TES and PCS, minus any deductions. Deductions typically occur for falls (-1.0 point per fall), time violations, or costume failures. In high-stakes events like the Grand Prix Final, a single deduction can be the difference between first and fourth place, emphasizing the need for mistake-free performances in the IJS era.

The Impact of Quads in Women’s Skating on the System

The emergence of quads in women’s skating has forced the ISU to reconsider the balance of the figure skating scoring system. Since 2018, the sport has seen a rapid escalation in technical difficulty, with teenage athletes landing multiple quadruple jumps in a single program. This has led to a “scoring ceiling” where the TES significantly outpaces the PCS, making it nearly impossible for a skater without quads to win, regardless of their artistic superiority.

This shift has sparked debate within the skating community regarding the “longevity” of athletes and the physical toll of such high-impact jumps. In response, the ISU raised the minimum age for senior competition to 17, effective for the 2024-2025 season. This policy change aims to protect athlete health and ensure that the IJS judging explained to the public reflects a sport where maturity and technical prowess can coexist.

The “quad revolution” also influenced the triple axel base value and the rewards for triple-triple combinations. While quads offer the highest rewards, the risks are equally high; a fall on a quad results in a mandatory -5 GOE and a 1-point deduction, often making a clean triple jump a safer and more effective strategy for those not yet proficient in the four-revolution category.

Historical Comparison: 6.0 vs. IJS

Comparing the current system to the old 6.0 system highlights the evolution of sporting integrity. Under the 6.0 system, judges gave two marks: one for technical merit and one for artistic impression. The scores were relative to other skaters in the “flight,” and “ordinal” rankings determined the winner. This often led to “block voting” and controversial outcomes where the best performer did not always win.

The IJS removed the “relative” aspect of scoring. In theory, a skater is competing against the Scale of Values, not just the other people in the building. A score of 200 points in one competition is, broadly speaking, comparable to 200 points in another. This has allowed for the tracking of “World Records,” a concept that did not exist in figure skating prior to 2004.

Measured Outcomes and Sporting Legacy

The IJS has fundamentally changed how athletes train. Choreography is no longer just about beauty; it is about “milking” the system for every possible point. Transitions between jumps are packed with difficult steps to boost the GOE, and spins are designed specifically to meet skating level 4 requirements.

For the fan community, understanding the judge scoring breakdown has turned figure skating into a more analytical pursuit. Viewers now look for the “green boxes” and “red boxes” on the live scoring ticker, which indicate whether an element has been provisionally approved or flagged for review. This real-time data integration has increased engagement and helped demystify the judging process for a global audience.

As the sport moves forward, the challenge for the ISU remains the refinement of the PCS. While the technical side is largely settled by physics and video evidence, the artistic side remains the soul of the sport. Future developments may include further separating the technical and component panels to ensure that one does not subconsciously influence the other.

Professional Perspectives on Systemic Evolution

The consensus among skating professionals is that while the IJS is not perfect, it is the most fair system the sport has ever seen. It rewards those who take risks but punishes those who cannot execute those risks with quality. It demands that a champion be both a world-class gymnast and a world-class dancer.

The ongoing dialogue regarding under-rotation penalties and the “pre-rotation” of jumps continues to push the technical panel toward even greater levels of scrutiny. As camera technology improves, the margin for error for athletes shrinks. This “digital age” of skating ensures that the records set by today’s athletes are backed by verifiable data and a rigorous set of international standards.

Ultimately, the IJS ensures that every turn, every edge, and every revolution is counted. It is a system that values the “how” as much as the “what,” preserving the unique identity of figure skating as a premier discipline in the global sporting arena.

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Source and Data Limitations: This article is based on the official International Skating Union (ISU) Special Regulations and Technical Rules for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance. Technical data, including base values for jumps like the triple axel and various quadruple jumps, are sourced from the ISU Scale of Values (SoV) tables updated for the 2024-2026 cycles. Scoring examples and comparative analysis between the 6.0 and IJS systems are derived from historical competition protocols and official ISU communications. Information regarding the “quad revolution” and age eligibility changes is based on official ISU Congress decisions. Please note that specific GOE applications can vary based on individual judge interpretation within the provided guidelines, and “real-time” scoring tickers are provisional until the technical panel certifies the final protocol.