Protocols & Abbreviations
ELEMENT ABBREVIATIONS
Below are a list of commonly used element abbreviations used on protocols in the International Judging System (IJS).
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
LIFTS | Stationary | StaLi |
Straight Line | SlLi | |
Curve | CuLi | |
Rotational | RoLi | |
Combination | SlLi+CuLi or CuLi+RoLi | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
SPINS | Spin | Sp |
Combination | CoSp | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
STEP & SPIRAL SEQUENCES | Midline | MiSt |
Diagonal | DiSt | |
Circular | CiSt | |
Serpentine | SeSt | |
Pattern Step | PSt | |
Not Touching Midline | NtMiSt | |
Spiral Sequence | SpSq | |
One-foot step sequence (lady) * | OFStL | |
One-foot step sequence (man) * | OFStM | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
TWIZZLES | Synchronized / Sequential Twizzles ** | STw |
Sequential Twizzles (lady) * | SqTwL | |
Sequential Twizzles (man) * | SqTwM | |
Synchronized Twizzles (lady) * | SyTwL | |
Synchronized Twizzles (man) * | SyTwM | |
ELEMENT | ABBREVIATION | |
CHOREOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS | Choreographic dance lift | ChLi1 |
Choreographic spinning movement | ChSp1 | |
Choreographic twizzling movement | ChTw1 | |
Choreographic sliding movement | ChSl1 | |
Choreographic character step sequence | ChSt1 | |
* During the 2018-19 season, the ISU split the levels for twizzles and the one-foot step sequence so that the lady and the man would be graded separately.
** No longer used. In place prior to the 2018-19 season.
PROTOCOL EXAMPLES: BREAKING DOWN ELEMENT ABBREVIATIONS & LEVELS
Junior Rhythm Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Argentine Tango Section 1 | 3 (achieved key points 1, 3, 4) |
2. Argentine Tango Section 2 | 2 (achieved key points 1, 2, 3) |
3. Rotational Lift | 4 |
4. Sequential Twizzles | 3 (lady), 4 (man) |
5. Midline Steps | 2 |
Junior Free Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Combination Spin | 4 |
2. One-Foot Steps | 2 (lady), 2 (man) |
3. Straightline Lift | 4 |
4. Synchonized Twizzles | 3 (lady), 4 (man) |
5. Choreographic Spin | 1 |
6. Serpentine Steps | 1 |
7. Rotational Lift | 4 |
8. Choreographic Lift | 1 |
Senior Rhythm Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Sequential Twizzles | 4 (lady), 4 (man) |
2. Tango Romantica Section 1 | 2 (achieved key points 1, 3) |
3. Tango Romantica Section 2 | 1 (achieved key point 4) |
4. Midline Steps | 2 |
5. Curve Lift | 3 |
Senior Free Dance

ELEMENT | LEVEL |
1. Straightline Lift | 4 |
2. Synchronized Twizzles | 4 (lady), 4 (man) |
3. Midline Steps | 2 |
4. Combination Spin | 3 |
5. One-Foot Steps | 2 (lady), 2 (man) |
6. Rotational Lift | 2 |
7. Curve Lift | 4 |
8. Choreographic Steps | 1 |
9. Choreographic Sliding Movement | 1 |
10. Choreographic Lift | 1 |