What are the rules for lifts in pair skating?
I · Intermediate · Pairs and ice dance · 6 of 8Pair lifts fall into five groups, decided by the hold at the moment the woman passes above the man's head: armpit, waist, hip, hand-to-hand press and hand-to-hand lasso. Groups 3 to 5 need full extension of the lifting arms, and the man must turn at least once. In a twist lift, the man must catch the woman at the waist.
How it works
- Group 1: armpit hold.
- Group 2: waist hold.
- Group 3: hand to hip or upper leg.
- Group 4: hand to hand, press type.
- Group 5: hand to hand, lasso type.
- Full extension: required in groups 3 to 5; at least one revolution of the man.
- Woman's positions: upright, star and platter.
- Twist lift: the woman is caught at the waist and helped to land on one foot.
The glossary has the lift groups, the lift, the twist lift, the carry lift, the choreographic pair lift and the pair skating.
Tricky cases
Is a carry lift counted as a lift?
No. Carries have no value, are not limited and are judged under composition.
Can two lifts from the same group be used in free skating?
No. The two lifts must not both be from the same group.
When does a lift end for the technical panel?
When the man's arms begin to bend and the woman starts to come down.
What is the twist take-off in the short program?
A Lutz or flip take-off by the woman, with two or three rotations.
Why the rule exists
Grouping lifts by hold sets a fair scale of difficulty, since a one-hand lasso is harder than a waist lift. Requiring the catch in twists protects the woman's landing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Short program 2026-27 | A group 3 (hip) lift | ISU 620 (2) |
| Free skating | Up to two lifts from different groups, plus a choreographic lift | ISU 621 |
| Ice dance | Dance lifts with no overhead arms | ISU 704 |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance (as of 12 June 2026), rules 619, 620 and 621. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the ISU Sports Rules and the season's ISU Communications.