Playground folks: I may be asking you to examine some music.

[icarus]

For Out Of Bounds reference:

Singles — Short Program

Time Length: 2:50 (maximum)

Singles — Freeskate
Time Length: 4:30 +/- 10 seconds (senior men)

Senior Men - Short Program requirements

1. Double or triple Axel
2. One triple or one quadruple jump (must be immediately preceded by connnecting steps or comparable free skating movements)
3. One jump combination consisting of a double jump and a triple jump,two triple jumps, a quad and a double or a quad and a triple
4. Flying spin (minimum of eight revolutions)
5. Any combination spin with only one change of foot, at least twochanges of position sit, camel or upright, or any variation thereof,and a minimum of six revolutions on each foot and two revolutions ineach position.
6. Camel spin or sit spin with only one change of foot and a minimum of six revolutions on each foot
7/8. Two step sequences of a different nature (straightline, circular or serpentine

The moves may be done in any order within a 2:50 time limit to music selected by the skater. The judges award two marks: one for technical elements, and a second for program components.

Senior Men - Freeskate requirements

The free skate has a length limitation of 4:30 for senior men. Skaters select their own music andtheme, and choreograph the jumps, spins, footwork and interpretivemoves to best display their technical and artistic skills. Change ofpace, creativity and innovative moves are encouraged. Technical andartistic perfection are paramount to the skater and to the judges.

As defined in the ISU regulations, a well-balanced singles free skate must contain:

Jumps: There is a maximum of eight jump elements for men andseven jump elements for ladies. One must be an Axel-type jump. Only twotriple or quad jumps can be repeated and they must be a part of a jumpcombination or jump sequence. There may be up to three jumpcombinations or sequences. Jump combinations may not contain more thantwo jumps, however one jump combination may consist of three jumps.

Spins: A maximum of four spins of a different nature — one mustbe a spin combination, one a flying spin and one with only one position.

Steps: A maximum of two different step sequences. For ladies one of these must be a spiral step sequence.

Two marks also are given for the free skate — the first for technical elements, the second for program components.

Out Of Bounds status
In other news, I may have the music for John's final freeskate. Maybe. I like it. I know John would like it. It's just a matter of "Is this it?"

To put this in perspective, I started look for John's freeskate music a year ago. The music describes the program and will set the tone for the final section of the story.

There was no way to write the end without the music. So if I've found it, I am very happy.

Comments

[crownglass39.livejournal.com]

I've watched skating for years but was never really sure of the requirements. This list is really really cool!

Also, yay for John's music!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The first time I read it was months ago, and my eyes crossed. Now I can parse it a little better. And skating makes so much more sense than it used.

Also, yay for John's music!

I now have it stuck in my mind. But that's because I actually spent six hours last night editing the six-minute song down to four and a half minutes. Three versions. *facepalm* No, I'm not anal, nuh-uh.

Icarus

[princessofg.livejournal.com]

*fic celebration happy dance from the nonskater admiring you from a distance*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*pops the cork on the champagne*

:D

[roaringmice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you may have found the music. That's fabulous.

I know people get confused by this, so for your audience, I'll note one thing re: the short program. It looks like a skater can do two quads, but they can't. Although a skater can do a quad as an individual element (out of steps) or as part of a combination, they can't do both. They can't do two quads in the short. The way the actual rule is written is a bit confusing, so the ISU has a bit about "short program clarifications" which calls this out.

Brian Joubert is rumoured (because he said to French reporters that he'd do this) to be thinking of doing two quads in his short this year. But that would be idiotic, because one of them would not count, and worse, he'd then have "missed" that other element. So we think the reporters got this wrong.

And an interesting point, for your audience: the time of the program starts from when the skater first starts skating. Thus, for example, Bolero, from Torvill and Dean - all that bit they do at the beginning, on their knees, is not counted in the time, and is not scored. Chris Dean did this purposefully. He started them on their knees so they could use that time choreographically. If a skater does run overtime, not only do they get a deduction for that, but any element they do after the end time is not scored.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Ah... interesting. So the focus of the short program is to have similar elements, comparing how the individual skaters pull them off. The freeskate is the artist's playground.

I can't imagine Joubert would waste his time doing two quads in the short program.

And an interesting point, for your audience: the time of the program starts from when the skater first starts skating. Thus, for example, Bolero, from Torvill and Dean - all that bit they do at the beginning, on their knees, is not counted in the time, and is not scored.

That was a lot of time on their knees.

Icarus

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Would you care to tell us what the music is? Or is John keeping this hush-hush?

The reason "Out of Bounds" is so fabulous is that you are willing to spend those hours working out what his music should be...and soon enough you'll be slaving over his choreography. It makes the story ring true...and makes me adore you.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, in due time, in due time. John doesn't even know what his music is going to be yet. :D

Two betas concur -- this works for John.

Icarus

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Then I (and John!) will wait. With as much patience as we can muster.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

It's a plot point, so I don't want to spoil it. :D