9/12/14 v.2
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Synchronized Skating Rosters
Please reference the 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook for all current rules
What does majority age mean? For example, if I have a pre-juvenile team of fourteen skaters and
seven skaters are 11 years old and seven skaters are 12 years old, do I meet the age requirements for
pre-juvenile?
Majority means 51% or more than half. For example, if you have a pre-juvenile team of 14 skaters, at
least eight skaters would need to be under 12 years old to be in accordance with the rules (Rule 7260).
With seven skaters age 11 and seven skaters age 12, you are not meeting the requirement. Some
options for your team would be to find another skater who is under 12 years old or switch to a different
division that works with your current teams’ ages.
When I’m creating my roster, is it ok if the team on the ice does not meet the age requirements for
the level, but the names on the roster do?
Rule 2828 states “In divisions which specify that a majority of skaters must meet an age requirement,
the majority requirement applies to both the full roster of skaters submitted for the competition,
including alternates, and the total number of skaters competing”. For example, the rules for the
preliminary division are 8-16 skaters who are under age 12, with the majority of skaters under age 10
(Rule 7270). If you have a roster, which has seven skaters that are 9 years old and six skaters that are 11
years old, then you have met the age requirements for your roster. If you go to a competition and plan
to skate only six 9 year olds and six 11 year olds, then you are breaking the intended rule. You need to
make sure you are meeting the age requirements for your level every time your team competes.
Does the nonqualifying competition we are attending enforce the Moves in the Field requirements for
the levels?
It is up to the nonqualifying competition as to whether they follow the test qualifications listed for each
synchronized skating division. Look at their competition announcement, under “Eligibility / Test and Age
Requirements”, as to whether the Moves in the Field test requirements are as of the entry deadline. If
they are not enforcing the Moves in the Field requirements, you should see something written in the
announcement, to the effect of: “we are not requiring the Moves in the Field test requirements to be
met, with the exception of the maximum allowed at the Beginner level”.
The Rulebook states, for synchronized skating levels, that ages are as of the preceding July 1. What
happens when a skater is born on July 1?
For example, the rule for the juvenile divisions states 12-20 skaters who are under age 13 (Rule 7240). If
a skater turns 13 on July 1, 2014, then she would be considered 13 for the 2014-2015 season and would
be ineligible to compete with a juvenile team.
9/12/14 v.2
I coach an adult team and Rule 7500 says we may have 12-20 skaters on our roster. If I only intend on
skating 16, is the maximum number of skaters I can list on my roster 20 or 24?
Rule 2825 states that “Teams may have a total of four athletes on their roster in addition to the
maximum number permitted on the ice for their respective level”. This means you can roster up to 24
skaters on your adult team roster.
How do I register my team for the synchronized skating season?
Detailed instructions to register your synchronized skating team can be found here:
http://usfsa.org/content/Synchro%20Team%20Registration%20Instructions.pdf.
If I register my synchronized skating team as a beginner team for the 2014-2015 season, can I change
the team level to preliminary during the same season? What is the process and cost?
Yes, teams can change levels throughout the season. The coach or team manager can log into their
Member’s Only profile, select “Teams”, then “Manage Team” for the team they would like to change.
Click on “Edit Team Profile”, edit the “Team Level” and save the changes. There is no cost associated
with doing this.
We know we must register our team, for Sectionals, by December 1. Can we add skaters to our
competition roster after that deadline?
No, additions to the roster are permitted after the December 1 deadline for qualifying events. However,
substitutions are allowed up to 14 days prior to the start of the competition, and this should be done
through the official form found on the U.S. Figure Skating website. A tip for submitting your
sectionals/U.S. Synchronized Championships roster: There is no fee per skater, and there is no penalty for
having more skaters on your roster than participating in the competition.