What lifts are allowed in ice dance?
A · Advanced · Pairs and ice dance · 4 of 6A dance lift raises one partner, holds them and sets them down, lasting at least 3 seconds. The lifting partner's arms must not stay fully extended above their head. Moves such as sitting on a partner's head, standing on their shoulder or lying on the ice are illegal, costing 2 points each. Over-long lifts cost 1.
How it works
- Dance lift: raised, sustained and set down; at least 3 seconds.
- Types: stationary, straight line, curve and rotational lifts; combination lifts join two.
- Not allowed: arms fully extended above the head, sustained.
- Illegal: sitting on the partner's head, standing on a shoulder, an upside-down split beyond 45 degrees.
- Illegal: swinging a partner by the skates, legs or neck.
- Illegal: dance jumps over one rotation; lying on the ice.
- Brief pose: passing through a pose is allowed if not held.
- Deductions: -2 for each illegal move; -1 for each lift over its time.
The glossary has the dance lift, the dance spin, the set of twizzles, the dance step sequence, the illegal element and the ice dance deductions.
Tricky cases
Can the lifting partner raise their arms overhead briefly?
A brief movement through a pose is allowed if it is not held.
Who times dance lifts?
The referee, with a second timekeeper.
An illegal move happens inside a lift. What happens to the lift?
The deduction applies and the lift gets the level its requirements earn.
What is a twizzle?
A travelling turn on one foot with one or more quick rotations; a set is skated side by side.
Why the rule exists
Banning overhead lifts and acrobatic poses keeps ice dance about dancing, not strength. The illegal list also protects skaters from dangerous holds.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ice dance | No sustained overhead arms | ISU 704 (21) |
| Pairs | Full extension required in groups 3 to 5 | ISU 619 |
| Deductions | -2 illegal; -1 over-long lift | ISU 353 (1)(n) |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance (as of 12 June 2026), rules 353 (1)(n), 430 (1), 504 (2) and 704. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the ISU Sports Rules and the season's ISU Communications.