2010 Figure Skating - Ice Dance Seating Chart

Ice dance figure skating is similar to that of pairs, except there is much more of a focus on footwork and style than acrobatic and high-flying aerial moves.

One huge difference is that there is no lifting allowed above the shoulders, which certainly takes away an element that we often see in most forms of figure skating.

Other differences include the fact that throws and jumps are also not allowed, and any spinning must be done in a way that both partners maintain contact with each other.

Initially, the dance partners were not allowed to skate without some form of contact for the entire performance. That rule has been modified somewhat, as the two skaters may be as far about as two arms lengths.

It's also critical for the skaters to move to the rhythm and beat of the music, much moreso than for regular figure skating competition.

Like pairs figure skating, ice dancing involves both a man and a woman who perform together as a team and are judged as one.

Ice dancing comes essentially from ballroom dancing, only instead of cutting the rug out on the dance floor, it's made exponentially more difficult by doing it on the ice.

It became an Olympic sport in 1972, which is well after figure skating became a key event in the Winter Games.