How does a technical panel call and review elements?
Guideline- Canada
- Skate Canada
- Figure skating
- Judging
- Technical panel
- Officials
- ISU
- 2026-27
This follows the ISU Technical Panel Handbook for Single Skating 2026-2027 (15 July 2026), the calling procedure recommendations it sets out.
- Before the event: the technical controller (TC) prepares a pre-event meeting covering the Code of Ethics and conflicts of interest, new rules for the season, who does what, calling and review processes, and the practice schedule. Panels are encouraged to attend official practice together and discuss grey zone elements, but element calls must not be pre-determined: final calls are based solely on what is performed in the competition.
- Ten minutes before the start: the TC does a sound check with each panel member.
- During the program: technical specialist 2 (TS2) makes pre-calls from the skater's first movement ("First element: jump / spin / step / choreo"). TS1 makes clear calls as the skater performs the element, so judges have time to register their GOE. Calls are of the elements actually performed rather than the required elements.
- Falls: a fall during an element is called with the element ("3F, Fall"). A fall outside an element is called "Fall outside", and the replay operator keeps it out of that element's video clip. Falls are reviewed at normal speed.
- Starting late: an element started after the required time plus the 10 seconds allowed must not be identified and has no value.
- Review: TS1, TS2 or the TC may call "REVIEW" (only that word, with no reason spoken). In the review, TS1 gives an opinion first, then TS2, then the TC (jumps). If TS1 and TS2 split, the TC breaks the tie. Video should not be replayed more than twice. Recommended speeds: regular for falls and jump take-offs, slow for take-off edge checks and for checking minimum spin revolutions, super slow for jump landings.
- Finishing: the data operator reads back the list of elements, all falls and deductions. Anyone who sees an input error says "STOP". TS1 and TS2 each say "Agree", then the TC instructs "Elements Authorized".
- After the event: at international competitions the panel holds a closed post-event discussion covering teamwork, difficult decisions and grey zone calls.
Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Single Skating 2026-2027, https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net/isudamcontainer/CMS/Corporate-Site/Sports-Rules/Figure-Skating-Rules/Handbooks-Single-&-Pair-Skating/TP-HandbookSingles-26-27-15-July-2026-1784641784-3364.pdf
Added 25 Oct 2026