


Understanding the 9-Point System in Figure Skating
The 9-point is a scoring system used in figure skating to evaluate the technical elements of a skater's performance. It is based on the International Judging System (IJS), which was introduced in 2004 and replaced the old 6.0 system.
The 9-point system assigns a value of 1 to 9 for each element in a skater's program, with 9 being the highest score. The scores are determined by a panel of judges who evaluate the technical difficulty, execution, and overall quality of each element.
Here is a breakdown of the 9-point system:
* Technical Elements (TE): These are the jumps, spins, and other technical moves that make up a skater's program. Each TE is assigned a base value (BV) based on its difficulty, and then a grade of execution (GOE) is added to the BV to give the final score.
* Grade of Execution (GOE): This is a subjective evaluation of how well the skater executed the element, taking into account factors such as timing, edge quality, and overall performance. The GOE can range from -3 (very poor execution) to +3 (excellent execution).
* Levels: Skaters can perform elements at different levels, which affects their base value. For example, a Level 4 element is less difficult than a Level 8 element.
* Components: In addition to the technical elements, skaters are also judged on two components: skating skills (SS) and performance/execution (PE). These components are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score.
The final scores for each element are calculated by adding the base value and the grade of execution, and then multiplying that total by the component score. The total score is then rounded to the nearest tenth of a point.
Overall, the 9-point system is designed to provide a more detailed and accurate assessment of a skater's performance than the old 6.0 system, and it allows judges to evaluate a wider range of technical elements and artistic qualities.



