15 Figure Skating Jumps, Spins, and Other Moves, Explained

Lifts are a key component for both pairs and ice dance, but the rules for them are different between disciplines. In general, both require one partner to lift the other off the ice, while the lifting partner rotates or skates in a line and the lifted partner executes complicated positions. In pairs skating, lifts involve the lifting partner extending their arms fully overhead, while in ice dance, fully extending the arms for more than a brief moment is prohibited.

Pairs lifts are categorized by the manner in which the lifting partner holds their partner's body in the air, as well as the position of the lifted partner relative to the ice and to their partner. For instance, a "press" lift resembles one partner "pressing" or "pushing" their partner into the air and the two rotating together, while a "lasso" lift involves the lifted partner rotating "around" the lifter.

Ice-dance lifts are usually more acrobatic, and they're categorized by the motion of the lifting partner. A stationary lift, for example, involves the lifting partner rotating in place during the element, while a curve lift (shown here) requires the lifting partner to skate in one direction along a curved path.