Synchronised skating is a discipline of figure skating, where 8-20 skaters skate as a team (the number of skaters per team typically depends on the level of skaters), moving as one unit while completing difficult choreographed routines and exhibiting technical skating moves and footwork. The team performs a program set to music with required formations and step sequences that challenge individual skill and collective performance. For a Synchronised Skating team to work, each skater must be competent at a variety of skating skills, including speed, footwork and performance.
Teams are typically required to perform two different programs: Short Program and Free Skating. The Short Program is more technical in nature, where the Free Skating is longer and provides an opportunity to showcase expression, emotion and interpretation.