Have you ever watched a figure skating competition and wondered why one skater scored higher than another even though they attempted the same jumps? The answer often lies in three letters: GOE. Understanding what is GOE in figure skating scoring will transform how you watch and appreciate this beautiful sport.
I remember the first time I tried to read a skating protocol sheet. The columns of numbers made no sense. Base values, GOE, TES, PCS – it felt like decoding a foreign language. Once I understood that GOE stands for Grade of Execution and represents how well a skater performed each element, everything clicked into place.
This guide breaks down exactly how GOE works, from the -5 to +5 scale to the trimmed mean calculation method. Whether you are a competitive skater strategizing your program, a parent trying to understand your child’s scores, or a fan who wants to appreciate the sport on a deeper level, this explanation will give you the clarity you need.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: What is GOE?
GOE stands for Grade of Execution. It is the quality rating that judges apply to every technical element in a figure skating program. Nine judges independently score each element on a scale from -5 to +5. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the remaining seven are averaged using a trimmed mean calculation. This result is then converted to a percentage of the element’s base value and added to or subtracted from that base value.
| GOE Value | Description | Percentage of Base Value |
|---|---|---|
| +5 | Exceptional quality, perfect execution | +50% |
| +4 | Very good execution | +40% |
| +3 | Good execution | +30% |
| +2 | Above average execution | +20% |
| +1 | Slightly above average | +10% |
| 0 | Adequate execution, no bonuses or deductions | 0% |
| -1 | Slightly below average | -10% |
| -2 | Below average with visible errors | -20% |
| -3 | Poor execution with significant errors | -30% |
| -4 | Very poor execution | -40% |
| -5 | Severely flawed or failed element | -50% |
Understanding the GOE Scale (-5 to +5)
The GOE scale runs from -5 to +5, with zero representing adequate execution that meets the minimum requirements without any special quality or significant errors. This eleven-point scale replaced the older +3 to -3 system in the 2018-2019 season, giving judges more granularity to distinguish between levels of quality.
Positive GOE values reward exceptional execution. A +1 indicates slightly better than adequate performance, while +5 represents truly extraordinary quality that makes judges sit up and take notice. The +5 GOE is rarely awarded and requires not just technical perfection but also exceptional speed, flow, and that intangible quality that makes an element memorable.
Negative GOE values indicate various levels of errors. A -1 might reflect minor issues like a slight wobble on landing or reduced speed. As the numbers decrease, the severity increases. A -3 typically involves significant errors like a major step out, touch down, or severe under-rotation. The -5 GOE is reserved for elements that fail completely or contain multiple severe errors.
How GOE is Calculated (Trimmed Mean Method)
The GOE calculation follows a specific four-step process designed to ensure fairness and minimize the impact of outlier judges. This trimmed mean method has become the standard in international figure skating competitions under the ISU Judging System (IJS).
Step 1: Nine judges on the panel independently assign a GOE value to each element immediately after it is performed. Each judge makes their assessment based on the criteria for that element type, considering factors like technique, speed, height, and landing quality.
Step 2: The highest and lowest GOE scores are automatically discarded. This removes potential outlier judges who might be unusually generous or unusually strict compared to their colleagues. The remaining seven scores move forward in the calculation.
Step 3: The seven remaining scores are averaged to create a mean GOE value. This averaged result often produces the decimal values you see on protocol sheets, like +1.77 or +2.14.
Step 4: The averaged GOE is converted to a percentage of the element’s base value according to the scale, then added to or subtracted from that base value to produce the final element score.
Base Values and Why They Matter
Base value is the foundation upon which GOE is calculated. Every technical element in figure skating has a predetermined base value based on its difficulty. The Scale of Values (SOV) document published by the International Skating Union lists these values, which range from less than one point for simple elements to over fifteen points for the most difficult quad jumps.
| Jump Type | Base Value | +3 GOE Adds | +5 GOE Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Toe Loop | 1.30 | 0.39 | 0.65 |
| Triple Salchow | 4.30 | 1.29 | 2.15 |
| Triple Flip | 5.30 | 1.59 | 2.65 |
| Triple Lutz | 5.90 | 1.77 | 2.95 |
| Triple Axel | 8.00 | 2.40 | 4.00 |
| Quad Toe Loop | 9.50 | 2.85 | 4.75 |
| Quad Lutz | 11.50 | 3.45 | 5.75 |
This table reveals something crucial about how GOE works: the same GOE number produces dramatically different point values depending on the base value. A +3 GOE on a double toe loop adds only 0.39 points, while the same +3 on a quad lutz adds 3.45 points. This is why you see forum discussions about the strategic importance of executing difficult elements well.
Here is another key insight from competition analysis. You will often see GOE values like +1.77 appearing frequently on protocol sheets. This happens because +1.77 represents a common trimmed mean result when judges award a mix of +1, +2, and +3 scores. It has become almost a standard “good but not exceptional” benchmark in competitive skating.
What Judges Look For (Positive GOE Factors)
Judges award positive GOE using what the ISU calls positive bullets. These are specific criteria that indicate quality beyond the minimum requirements. Judges can award up to five positive bullets, with each bullet justifying one level of positive GOE.
Execution quality forms the foundation of positive GOE. Judges look for excellent speed and flow into and out of the element. For jumps, this means a powerful takeoff that creates good height and distance, followed by a clean landing with controlled edges and no errors. The element should look effortless, not labored.
Body position and technique matter significantly. In spins, this means excellent centering, optimal positions, and fast rotation. For step sequences, judges want deep edges, clean turns, and seamless flow between movements. Each element type has its own specific criteria detailed in ISU technical documents.
There is also a special bullet for extraordinary execution. This goes beyond just doing the element correctly and enters the realm of artistic and technical excellence that elevates the element above standard expectations. This is the bullet that separates +3 from +4 or +5 GOE.
Common Deductions (Negative GOE Factors)
Negative GOE works through reductions. Judges identify errors and apply reductions that lower the GOE from its starting point. Multiple reductions can stack, potentially taking a GOE from positive territory deep into negative numbers.
Balance and control issues represent the most common reductions. A slight wobble on landing typically reduces GOE by one level. A step out or touch down with the free foot reduces GOE by two to three levels depending on severity. A two-footed landing usually results in a -3 or lower GOE.
Rotation errors carry significant penalties. An under-rotated jump receives reduced base value plus negative GOE. The technical panel identifies under-rotations using video review, and even a quarter-turn short can affect the score substantially. An under-rotation by more than 90 degrees results in the jump being downgraded to the next lower rotation level.
Falls receive automatic negative GOE of -3 to -5 depending on the element, plus a one-point flat deduction from the total score. The fall deduction is separate from GOE and appears in the deductions column of the protocol sheet.
Worked Example: GOE in Action
Let me walk you through a real calculation using a triple axel, which has a base value of 8.00 points. Imagine a skater executes the jump with good height and flow but has a slight quarter-turn under-rotation and a small hop on landing.
Nine judges award the following GOE scores: +2, +2, +1, +1, +1, 0, 0, -1, -1. The highest score (+2) and lowest score (-1) are dropped. The remaining seven scores are +2, +1, +1, +1, 0, 0, -1.
The average of these seven scores is +0.57 (four positive scores, two zeros, one negative, divided by seven). This means the judges collectively felt the element was slightly above average despite the errors.
The +0.57 GOE converts to approximately +5.7% of the base value (8.00 x 0.057 = 0.456). The final element score becomes 8.00 + 0.46 = 8.46 points. Without the errors, a +2 average would have added 1.60 points instead of 0.46.
GOE Across Different Disciplines
GOE applies to all four Olympic figure skating disciplines, though the specific criteria and elements vary. Understanding these differences helps explain why scores cannot be directly compared between singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating.
In singles skating, GOE applies to jumps, spins, step sequences, and choreographic elements. Men and women use the same GOE criteria, though men typically perform more quadruple jumps which have higher base values and therefore offer greater GOE point potential.
Pairs skating adds unique elements like lifts, throws, and twists. Each pairs element has specific GOE criteria. For example, lifts are judged on speed of rotation, quality of positions, and clean dismount. Throws are judged similarly to jumps but with the added complexity of the partner’s throw technique.
Ice dance uses GOE for pattern dances, twizzles, lifts, and step sequences. However, ice dance GOE works slightly differently for choreographic elements, where the percentage system does not apply in the same way. The ISU has specific technical documents detailing these discipline-specific rules.
The History of GOE (From 6.0 to IJS to +5/-5)
The GOE concept evolved significantly over figure skating’s history. Under the old 6.0 judging system, technical merit and presentation were scored separately with ordinals determining placement. There was no granular element-by-element scoring.
The International Judging System (IJS) introduced element-by-element scoring in 2004, with GOE originally ranging from +3 to -3. This system provided transparency but had limitations. The three-point scale did not give judges enough range to distinguish between slightly good and truly exceptional execution.
The 2018-2019 season brought the current +5 to -5 scale. This expansion allowed judges to better reward excellence and penalize severe errors. The change also adjusted the percentage multipliers, with the maximum GOE changing from +30% to +50% of base value.
Common GOE Values You’ll See
After reviewing hundreds of competition protocols, certain GOE values appear repeatedly. The +1.77 value mentioned in skating forums appears constantly because it represents the mathematical result when judges broadly agree an element was good but not exceptional.
Another common value is +2.14, which often appears on well-executed difficult jumps. This results from judges mostly awarding +2s with perhaps one +3 and one +1 in the mix. These decimal values might seem random, but they tell a story about judge consensus.
On the negative side, -1.00 and -2.00 appear frequently for elements with visible errors. A -3.00 or below typically indicates significant problems like a near-fall or major step out. Understanding these patterns helps you quickly assess performance quality when reading protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GOE calculated figure skating?
Nine judges assign scores from -5 to +5 for each element. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the remaining seven are averaged using the trimmed mean method. This average is then converted to a percentage of the element’s base value and added to or subtracted from that base value.
What is the GOE rating?
GOE stands for Grade of Execution. It is a quality rating ranging from -5 (severely flawed) to +5 (exceptional quality), with 0 representing adequate execution. Judges award GOE based on how well each technical element is performed beyond minimum requirements.
Which is harder, Axel or Lutz?
The Axel is harder because it requires an extra half-revolution (forward takeoff, backward landing) compared to other jumps. A triple Axel is actually 3.5 rotations. The Lutz is the second-hardest jump due to its backward outside edge takeoff and toe pick assist.
What is the GOE score in figure skating?
The GOE score is the final point value added to or subtracted from an element’s base value. It ranges from -50% to +50% of the base value depending on the judges’ averaged GOE rating. For example, a +5 GOE on a triple Axel (8.00 base value) adds 4.00 points.
Does a fall automatically get -3 GOE?
A fall typically results in automatic negative GOE between -3 and -5 depending on the element type and severity. Additionally, falls carry a separate one-point flat deduction from the total program score, regardless of which element the fall occurred on.
How does GOE work in combination jumps?
In combination jumps, GOE is calculated based on the jump with the highest base value. The full combination receives one GOE score, not separate scores for each jump. This means a triple Lutz-double toe combination would have its GOE calculated as a percentage of the triple Lutz’s base value.
Why Understanding GOE Makes You a Better Fan
Now that you understand what is GOE in figure skating scoring, you can watch competitions with new insight. When a skater lands a difficult jump with beautiful flow and control, you will appreciate the +4 or +5 they earn. When you see a protocol with +1.77 across multiple elements, you will recognize consistent quality without exceptional moments.
The ISU Judging System has its critics, but GOE brings transparency to technical evaluation. Every element receives specific feedback through its GOE, rewarding skaters who execute well and providing clear consequences for errors. This system encourages both difficulty and quality, pushing the sport forward.
Next time you watch a competition, try reading the protocol sheets alongside the performance. Watch for how quickly the judges award their marks after each element. Notice which skaters earn high GOE on difficult jumps versus those who play it safe. Understanding GOE transforms figure skating from a mysterious judged sport into a transparent technical competition where every point tells a story about execution quality.