Numbers of Elements per Routines

In the 2022-2025 Artistic Swimming Rules, each routine has a set number of Elements. Elements can be the technical required elements (TRE), free hybrids, and acrobatics.

Essentially, one is only allowed to do so many things in a routine. Doing more or anything different than what is required will lead to penalties. No extra hybrids or acrobatics are allowed, declared or not declared on the Coach Card.

You can find below the number of required Elements per age group and per event.

 

SENIOR & JUNIOR

  • Technical Solo (2:00 min)

7 required elements = 5 TRE + 2 Free Hybrids

  • Free Solo (2:15 min)

7 required elements = 7 Free Hybrids

  • Technical Duet (2:20 min)

8 required elements = 5 TRE + 2 Free Hybrids + 1 Pair Acrobatic

  • Free Duet (2:45 min)

9 required elements = 7 Free Hybrids + 2 Pair Acrobatics

  • Technical Mixed Duet (2:20 min)

8 required elements = 5 TRE + 2 Free Hybrids (one must include a hybrid connection) + 1 Pair Acrobatic

  • Free Mixed Duet (2:45 min)

9 required elements = 6 Free Hybrids (one must include a hybrid connection) + 3 Pair Acrobatics (one lift, one throw/jump, one free choice).

This routine also must include two connected surface movements with travel.

  • Technical Team (2:50 min)

9 required elements = 5 TRE + 3 Free Hybrids (one must include a cadence action) + 1 Required Team Acrobatic*.

  • Free Team (3:30 min)

11 required elements = 7 Free Hybrids  + 4 Free Team Acrobatics*.

  • Acrobatic Team (3:00 min)

7 required elements = 7 Team Acrobatics* (one from each the four groups + 3 free choice).

For this routine, transitions and hybrids are free but no difficulty will be awarded.

YOUTH (13-15)

  • Free Solo (2:00 min)

6 required elements = 6 Free Hybrids

  • Free Duet (2:30 min)

7 required elements = 6 Free Hybrids + 1 Pair Acrobatic

  • Free Mixed Duet (2:30 min)

7 required elements = 5 Free Hybrids (one must include a hybrid connection) + 2 Pair Acrobatics.

This routine also must include two connected surface movements with travel.

  • Free Team (3:00 min)

9 required elements = 6 Free Hybrids  + 3 Team Acrobatics*.

There are also required components  to appear in any of the 6 free hybrids, both performed fully synchronized:
-One thrust (T1-T9)
-One spin descending 720° with one or two legs (R3)

  • Free Combination (3:00 min)

9 required elements = 4 Team Acrobatics* + 1 Solo Hybrid + 1 Duet Hybrid + 3 Team Hybrid (min. of 4 athletes)

 

12 and Under

  • Free Solo (2:00 min)

5 required elements = 5 Free Hybrids

  • Free Duet (2:30 min)

6 required elements = 5 Free Hybrids + 1 Pair Acrobatic

  • Free Mixed Duet (2:30 min)

6 required elements = 5 Free Hybrids (one must include a hybrid connection) + 1 Pair Acrobatic.

This routine also must include two connected surface movements with travel.

  • Free Team (3:00 min)

9 required elements = 6 Free Hybrids  + 3 Team Acrobatics*.

  • Free Combination (3:00 min)

8 required elements = 3 Team Acrobatics* + 1 Solo Hybrid + 1 Duet Hybrid + 3 Team Hybrid (min. of 4 athletes)

 

* A Team Acrobatic movement is considered as an Element, starting from 4 swimmers and more (for example: 3 base swimmers + 1 featured swimmer; or 2 base swimmers + 1 support-swimmer who pushes 1 featured-swimmer). It must start and finish in the water. All other actions are considered as pair acrobatics or pair assist actions.

Of note, Team Acrobatics have a difficulty cap (safety limit) for the Youth and U12 age groups. They cannot have a DD higher than the following: for Group A: 2.65, Group B: 2.6, Group C: 2.45, and group P: 2.5.