What is the difference between a technical routine and a free routine?
B · Beginner · The routines · 2 of 4A technical routine must contain set movements, the technical required elements, which every competitor performs. A free routine has none: the choreography is the swimmers' own, within a fixed number of elements. An acrobatic routine is a team routine built from seven lifts and throws. All three are swum to music.
How it works
- Technical routine: the athletes "must perform the Technical Required Elements", a set number of other elements "and a free choice of Transitions".
- Free routine: "a predetermined number of Elements (Hybrids and Acrobatics) and a free choice of Transitions".
- Acrobatic routine: four to eight athletes and seven acrobatics. At least one must come from each of the four acrobatic groups (A, B, C and P) and at most two from any one group. None may be repeated.
- A theme: the acrobatic routine "must portray a Theme", declared on the coach card.
- The numbers: a senior solo has six elements in both routines. A women's duet has seven in the technical routine and eight in the free. A team has eight in the technical routine and nine in the free.
- Technical required elements: five in the solo, the women's duet and the team, three in the mixed duet.
- Set every four years: the required elements and the number of elements are chosen by the technical committee every four years.
- Too many: each element beyond the set number costs two points from the elements score.
The glossary has the technical routine, the free routine, the acrobatic routine, the hybrid and the acrobatic.
Tricky cases
Does a free routine have any compulsory content?
Yes, in number and type. It has a set number of hybrids and acrobatics, and in the edition read a free routine must include a declaration from each family of movements. The choreography is free.
Can a team repeat its best lift in the acrobatic routine?
No. A repeated acrobatic is marked down to its base mark.
Does a solo perform acrobatics?
No. The senior solo routines are made up of technical required elements and hybrids. Acrobatics need a partner or a team.
An acrobatic routine has no declared theme. What happens?
Eight points are deducted from the routine score.
Why the rule exists
The technical routine puts every competitor through the same movements, so the judges can compare like with like. The free routine rewards invention. The acrobatic routine, the newest of the three, gives the lifts and throws a session of their own.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Six elements in each routine | AS Appendix 3 |
| Women's duet | Seven in the technical routine, eight in the free, with pair acrobatics | AS Appendix 3 |
| Mixed duet | Three required elements, pair acrobatics and declared surface connections | AS Appendix 3; AS 18.3.13 |
| Team | Eight in the technical routine, nine in the free, seven in the acrobatic | AS Appendix 3 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Seven: Artistic Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 4.2 to 4.5 and 18.9.10 to 18.9.13, and Appendix 3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).