Synchronized Skating - What Is It?
	Synchronized skating is a specialized branch of skating distinct from figures, free skating, ice dancing and pair skating. It involves teams of skaters (from twelve to twenty) performing a variety of types of footwork, group formations and skating manoeuvres. Heads, legs, arms and bodies must be synchronized and in unison. Formations must be accurate; lines must be straight. Programs are judged for technical difficulty and presentation (artistic impression). There is a panel of nine judges, one referee and one assistant referee.
The scores of all nine judges are used. The programs are scored with 2 marks; one mark for composition and one for presentation. Junior and Senior teams have a short program which lasts 2:40 minutes and a long program, which lasts 4:00 minutes at the junior level and 4:30 minutes at the senior level. Juvenile, novice and adult teams only compete with a free program that is 3:00 minutes for juveniles and 3:30 minutes for novice and adult. The short program (also called the technical program) has 5 required elements: kicking line, manoeuver, intersecting manouever, circle and block. Judges look for footwork, changing arm positions, closeness, speed and straight lines.
The long program (also called the free program) must include three changes in rhythm and speed or tempo, but otherwise has no required elements. Innovative moves and creativity are very important in addition to the technical elements. Clothing for competitions assist with conveying the theme, but must also be suitable for athletic competition.