How are jumps judged in artistic roller skating?
I · Intermediate · Free skating · 2 of 4A jump up to a quarter short of full rotation is under-rotated and loses value; up to a half short, it is half-rotated and loses more; over a half short, it is downgraded and counts as the jump with one rotation fewer.
How it works
- Under-rotated (<): up to a quarter short; 20 to 30 per cent off.
- Half-rotated (<<): up to a half short; 30 to 50 per cent off.
- Downgraded (<<<): over a half short, or two-footed; one rotation less.
- Combination: landing edge of one jump is the take-off of the next.
- Connecting jumps: single jumps inside a combination, no value.
- Bonus: 20 per cent for double-triple, 30 per cent for triple-triple, without connecting jumps.
- Saved combination: half value.
- Lutz no edge: 70 per cent.
The glossary has the under-rotated, half-rotated and downgraded jumps, the solo jump and combination jump, the connecting jump, the saved combination, the Lutz no edge and the second-half bonus.
Tricky cases
A skater lands a jump on two feet. Called how?
Downgraded.
A change of foot between two jumps. Still a combination?
No. It breaks into two separate elements.
Does a downgraded jump earn the combination bonus?
No.
Is a Waltz jump accepted as the required Axel?
Yes. It counts as an attempt at the Axel.
Why the rule exists
Graded rotation cuts reward fully turned jumps. Bonuses for direct combinations pay for the hardest linking.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Singles and doubles | Larger cuts for under-rotation | AF p10 |
| Triples and quads | Smaller cuts | AF p10 |
| Minis | 10 per cent for an Axel-double toe loop combination | AF p11 |
From the rule book
World Skate, Free Skating Rules for Artistic Skating (2026), Jumps. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the World Skate artistic technical rules 2026.