Figures and routines are the heart and soul of synchro.
There are two main categories of work for synchronized swimming: figures, and routines. Each one counts for 50% of your score at sections and state, so both are important!
Figures are the precise execution of several specific movements with careful timing. It's like performing one dance move! At figure meets, you will line up to go in front of a judge and display your figure. You will be judged on various criteria, such as technique, control, flexibility, and strength. There are 4 figures, listed below.
Routines are the more commonly seen performances of the sport. You will synchronize with the music and your team members to display your coordination, skill, and artistry. Routines are split into 'hybrids', or the execution of specific movements of the legs, 'lifts', where the team throws or raises a liftee out of the water, and arm movement/other. There are two categories to routine judging: Technical Merit and Artistic Impression. Technical Merit encompasses things like how much of the pool you covered (more is better!), synchronization, difficulty level, and endurance. Artistic Impression covers things such as the grace, music and suit choice, the fit of the hybrids, and the overall theme and feel of your performance.
All the work we do is to improve our performance on these two categories! Pool time will be split between working on routines and figures, as well as general conditioning.
Figures are the precise execution of several specific movements with careful timing. It's like performing one dance move! At figure meets, you will line up to go in front of a judge and display your figure. You will be judged on various criteria, such as technique, control, flexibility, and strength. There are 4 figures, listed below.
Routines are the more commonly seen performances of the sport. You will synchronize with the music and your team members to display your coordination, skill, and artistry. Routines are split into 'hybrids', or the execution of specific movements of the legs, 'lifts', where the team throws or raises a liftee out of the water, and arm movement/other. There are two categories to routine judging: Technical Merit and Artistic Impression. Technical Merit encompasses things like how much of the pool you covered (more is better!), synchronization, difficulty level, and endurance. Artistic Impression covers things such as the grace, music and suit choice, the fit of the hybrids, and the overall theme and feel of your performance.
All the work we do is to improve our performance on these two categories! Pool time will be split between working on routines and figures, as well as general conditioning.
2021 JV Figures with degree of difficulty
Ballet leg - 1.6
Walkover front - 2.1
Front pike somersault - 1.7
Back tuck somersault - 1.1
2021 Varsity Figures with degree of difficulty
Ballet leg - 1.6
Kip - 1.6
Heron - 1.9
Walkover front - 2.1
Videos of 2021 figures:
Ballet Leg
Kip
Heron
Walkover, Front
Routines
There are 3 divisions in routines; short, long, and extended. As well as being held to higher standards, long and extended must perform for longer periods of times (listed below).
All swimmers begin in the short division and have the chance to move up in divisions by placing in the top 7 at the state meet. Some swimmers may be moved up in order to create a team or other event if one or more swimmers are in a higher division. Deck time limit is 10 seconds. A routine may be penalized if the routine goes over the maximum time and/or deck work exceeds the limit. For the deck work in team routines, competitors may not execute stacks, towers, or human pyramids.
All team routines will have music selected for them by the coaches. Coaches will give the final okay on music, teammates and the written routine(s). When placing a swimmer on a routine, coaches look at ability, swimmer input, attendance history, dedication, and division eligibility.
Music which has already been cut is available for checkout and use. Swimmers will design competition suits, working with their teammates to create a suit that matches their routine. Headpieces that will be worn during sections and state will also be made at the later-season sewing party.
Routines:
Solo short routine - 2 minutes
Solo long routine - 2:15 minutes
Solo extended routine - 2:30 minutes
Duet/trio short routine - 2:30 minutes
Duet/trio long routine - 2:45 minutes
Duet/trio extended routine - 3 minutes
Short team routine - 3 minutes
Long team routine - 3:30 minutes
Extended team routine - 4 minutes
There are 3 divisions in routines; short, long, and extended. As well as being held to higher standards, long and extended must perform for longer periods of times (listed below).
All swimmers begin in the short division and have the chance to move up in divisions by placing in the top 7 at the state meet. Some swimmers may be moved up in order to create a team or other event if one or more swimmers are in a higher division. Deck time limit is 10 seconds. A routine may be penalized if the routine goes over the maximum time and/or deck work exceeds the limit. For the deck work in team routines, competitors may not execute stacks, towers, or human pyramids.
All team routines will have music selected for them by the coaches. Coaches will give the final okay on music, teammates and the written routine(s). When placing a swimmer on a routine, coaches look at ability, swimmer input, attendance history, dedication, and division eligibility.
Music which has already been cut is available for checkout and use. Swimmers will design competition suits, working with their teammates to create a suit that matches their routine. Headpieces that will be worn during sections and state will also be made at the later-season sewing party.
Routines:
Solo short routine - 2 minutes
Solo long routine - 2:15 minutes
Solo extended routine - 2:30 minutes
Duet/trio short routine - 2:30 minutes
Duet/trio long routine - 2:45 minutes
Duet/trio extended routine - 3 minutes
Short team routine - 3 minutes
Long team routine - 3:30 minutes
Extended team routine - 4 minutes
officials_2013_2017_12unagintb_figures.pdf | |
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mshsl_sysw2009balletlegfrontwalkoverdescr.doc | |
File Size: | 186 kb |
File Type: | doc |