Figure Skaters' Creativity in Inventing Original Jumps

Figure skating is a sport that rewards both technical precision and artistic expression. However, amidst the stringent rules and technical requirements, there is an intriguing aspect that allows skaters to push the boundaries of what is possible: the invention of original jumps.

The Role of the International Skating Union (ISU)

The International Skating Union (ISU) plays a pivotal role in fostering creativity and innovation within figure skating. It encourages skaters to develop new jumps or variations of existing ones, as long as these jumps meet the technical criteria set forth by the organization.

For a jump to be recognized and awarded points in a competition, it must be performed successfully and judged to be sufficiently original. Skaters who wish to invent new jumps should ensure that their jumps adhere to the established rules regarding jump types, rotations, and landings. Any jump that is unique but does not fit within these criteria may not be recognized or scored appropriately.

Incorporating New Moves into Routine

While skaters cannot add new jumps to their programs on a whim, they do incorporate innovative leaps and sequences that challenge the audience and judges. Some popular original leaps include:

The Split Jump The Russian Split The Falling Leaf The Ballet Jump The Walley or Half Walley The Waltz Jump

Other skaters may perform half or single rotation jumps that have yet to be named or widely recognized. Although the back flip is a crowd-pleaser, it remains an illegal element in competitions due to the inherent risk.

Breaking the Rules: When and How

Skaters can certainly invent new jumps, but scoring these jumps in competitions is a different matter. Points are only awarded for jumps that have been consistently performed successfully. Skaters must first demonstrate their new jumps in practice, recorded on video, and then submit them to the International Skating Union (ISU) for consideration. If the ISU determines that the jump meets the technical and safety criteria, it may be added to the technical handbook and used in competitions.

A good example of this is when precautions were taken to accommodate Mao Asada's 3A in the short program. This was a rule change made specifically for her unique abilities, even though it wasn't a brand new jump. However, for the general skater, a new jump must be well-rehearsed and proven to be both safe and technically sound before it can be included in a skating program.

Conclusion: The Balance of Rules and Creativity

The key to success in figure skating is a delicate balance between technical prowess and creative expression. While there are strict rules regarding content requirements and planned elements, this does not entirely preclude the possibility of skaters inventing new jumps. The sport is ever-evolving, and each skater can contribute to its development by pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the established framework.

As the competition season comes to a close, skaters are free to explore new and exciting moves in the realm of show skating. It's entirely possible that someone could invent the next groundbreaking jump, and we could all be watching history in the making!

Want to learn more about the rules and requirements for figure skating? Check out pages 7–9 of this ISU media guide for detailed program content requirements for senior singles skaters.