Protocols & Abbreviations
ELEMENT ABBREVIATIONS
Below are a list of commonly used element abbreviations used on protocols in the International Judging System (IJS).
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
LIFTS | Stationary | StaLi |
Straight Line | SlLi | |
Curve | CuLi | |
Rotational | RoLi | |
Combination | SlLi+CuLi or CuLi+RoLi or CuLi+CuLi | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
SPINS | Spin | Sp |
Combination | CoSp | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
STEP & SPIRAL SEQUENCES | Midline | MiSt |
Diagonal | DiSt | |
Circular | CiSt | |
Serpentine | SeSt | |
Pattern Step | PSt | |
Not Touching Midline | NtMiSt | |
Spiral Sequence | SpSq | |
One-foot step sequence (woman) * | OFStL | |
One-foot step sequence (man) * | OFStM | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
TWIZZLES | Synchronized / Sequential Twizzles ** | STw |
Sequential Twizzles (lady) * | SqTwL | |
Sequential Twizzles (man) * | SqTwM | |
Synchronized Twizzles (lady) * | SyTwL | |
Synchronized Twizzles (man) * | SyTwM | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
CHOREOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS | Choreographic dance lift | ChLi1 |
Choreographic spinning movement | ChSp1 | |
Choreographic twizzling movement | ChTw1 | |
Choreographic sliding movement | ChSl1 | |
Choreographic character step sequence | ChSt1 | |
Choreographic assisted jumps | CHAJ | |
Choreographic Hydroblading Movement | CHHY |
* During the 2018-19 season, the ISU split the levels for twizzles and the one-foot step sequence so that the woman and the man would be graded separately.
** No longer used. In place prior to the 2018-19 season.
PROTOCOL EXAMPLES: BREAKING DOWN ELEMENT ABBREVIATIONS & LEVELS
Junior Rhythm Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Rocker Foxtrot Sequence 1 | 3 (achieved key points 1, 3, 4) |
2. Rocker Foxtrot Sequence 2 | 2 (achieved key points 1, 2, 3) |
3. Straightline Lift | 4 |
4. Sequential Twizzles | 4 (woman), 4 (man) |
5. Midline Steps | 2 (woman), 3 (man) |
Junior Free Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Dance Spin | 4 |
2. Synchonized Twizzles |
3 (woman), 4 (man) |
3. Rotational Lift | 4 |
4. Diagonal Steps | 1 (woman), 2 (man) |
5. Straightline Lift | 4 |
6. One-Foot Steps | 3 (woman), 2 (man) |
7. Choreographic Assisted Jumps | 1 |
8. Choreographic character steps | 1 |
Senior Rhythm Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Midline Steps | 3 (woman), 3 (man) |
2. Sequential Twizzles | 4 (woman), 4 (man) |
3. Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence | 3 |
4. Choreographic Rhythm Sequence | 1 |
5. Rotational Lift | 4 |
Senior Free Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Stationary Lift | 4 |
2. One-Foot Steps | 2 (woman), 2 (man) |
3. Synchronized Twizzles | 4 (woman), 3 (man) |
4. Diagonal Steps | 3 (woman), 2 (man) |
5. Choreographic Hydroblade Movement | 1 |
6. Dance Spin | Base value |
7. Choreographic Twizzles | 1 |
8. Curve Lift + Curve Lift | 4 |
9. Choreographic Steps | 1 |