The Lost Art of Compulsory Figures
Before the world of Quad Jumps and Biellmann Spins, Compulsory Figures were the basis of figure skating. Demonstrating immense control and skating skills these ‘figures’ made up a significant portion of skaters final scores. However, as one of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) ‘modernisation’ tactics, these gradually became less significant before being phased out entirely in 1990. This has been controversial with many arguing that it has caused a decline in skating skills of singles skaters and a reduction in overall technique, with some even campaigning for their return. But what are these ‘Compulsory Figures’?
Prior to the 1890s, figure skating competitions consisted entirely of skaters etching patterns made up predominantly of circles and figures of eight into the ice using the only blades on one’s feet. These would be judged for accuracy and consistency. By the early 20th century a ‘Free Skate’ had been introduced, allowing for skaters to perform choreographed, artistic routines including jumps and spins. Compulsory Figures continued to make up 60% of a skaters final score.
Judges would closely scrutinise the shapes skaters had made. They’d examine the symmetry and accuracy of the circles as well as the consistency of the skaters repetition of the figures. The first judges handbook for Compulsory Figures was created by the ISU in 1961 and listed the judging criteria as the following: flow of movement, accuracy of shapes of both bodies and figures, deepness of edges, and any double tracks, scrapes or deviations from perfect circles. The Compulsory Figure sections of competitions were notoriously long and boring for audiences to watch, often taking up to 8 hours to complete with only skaters and judges being able to see the final figures before the ice was reserfaced.
Skaters were required to change their edge and foot as well as complete the three turn, counter turn, rocker turn, bracket turn, and loop in order to create the figure assigned. They would then have to repeat the figure multiple times in the same spot to demonstrate consistency.
The decline of importance for compulsory figure began in 1967 when they reduced in value to 40% and a Short Program valued at 20% was introduced to bridge the gap. From the mid 1960s and throughout the 1970s and 80s figure skating competitions began to be televised more frequently, however the Compulsory Figures portions were almost never shown in their entirety. Skaters such as Trixie Schuba of Austria was known as an incredibly strong skater of Compulsory Figures; her Free Skates, however, were extremely weak in comparison. To audiences watching from home and less aware of how Figure Skating was judged and scored didn’t understand how she was winning competitions. There were multiple instances similar to this, such as skaters being poor at Compulsory Figures but stronger program skaters yet rarely medalling.
Towards the end of the 1980s was when conversations surrounding the retirement of Compulsory Figures entirely significantly picked up traction. The ISU wished to make Figure Skating more enjoyable for those watching on television as well as the practicalities of filming the Compulsory Figures competitions. Attempts were made to film the competitions at the Olympic Games throughout the 1980s, however it required suspending cameras over the rink. Even with this complicated camera set up, the figures themselves were almost impossible to see on a television.
In 1988, the ISU voted for the elimination of Compulsory Figures for singles skaters beginning in the 1990/1991 season in ISU sanctioned international competitions. The last season of Compulsory Figures (1989/1990) saw only two competed for the entire season and make up just 20% of skaters scores. Most other countries eliminated figures with the ISU, however US Figure Skating continued to compete figures in their national championship up until 1999.
Compulsory Figures are truly a lost art which demonstrated the skill and technique of skaters. Most singles skaters in contemporary figure skating will have never completed one of these figures in their time of skating. Although Ice Dance saw the maintenance of the Compulsory Dance until 2010 and then the inclusion of Compulsory Pattern Dances in the Short/Rhythm Dance until 2022, with the Pattern Dance making a return in the 2026/2027 season, subsequently maintaining somewhat of a stronger basis of skating skills for skaters, this has not been the case for those competing in the singles discipline. A heavy focus on jumps has caused coaches and skaters to pay less attention to the technical fundamental skills previously associated with Compulsory Figures and still needed for other elements, such as Step Sequences, alongside good jump technique.
Compulsory Figures are unlikely to make a return to competition any time soon, however they should still be recognised as the origin and basis for what we know as figure skating today. A skaters ability to complete figures would still demonstrate their technical skating ability today.
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