Rhythm dance

American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates hold the highest RD score of 93.91, which they achieved at the World Team Trophy in 2023.

The rhythm dance (RD) is the first segment performed in all junior and senior ice dance competitions, performed before the free dance (FD), at all International Skating Union (ISU) Championships, Junior and Senior ISU Grand Prix events and finals, Winter Youth Olympic Games, qualifying competitions for the Winter Olympic Games, and Olympic Winter Games.

Ice dancers can choose to perform the set pattern dance, following as closely as possible the direction, location, and curvature of all edges as designated in the diagram.

[8] The RD should be "developed through skating skill and quality",[9] rather than through "non-skating actions such as sliding on one knee"[9] or through the use of toe steps (which should only be used to reflect the music's nuances and underlining rhythm, and the dance's character).

RDs should be choreographed to reach all sides of the ice rink, and not be focused only on the judges' section.

It must "be translated to the ice by demonstrating technical skill with steps and movements along with flow and the use of edges".

[10] All changes of position, dance steps, rotations, and turns are allowed, as long as they follow the music and the designated rhythms.

The two skaters can fully extend their arms while skating in a hand-to-hand hold only if it reflects the character of their chosen music rhythm, but this method of separation must not be excessively used.

[11] American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates hold the highest RD score of 93.91, which they achieved at the World Team Trophy in 2023.

The ISU gave the following examples of music from the above-mentioned decades, although teams were not limited to them: rock n' roll, the Jitterbug, the Twist, the Hustle, and disco.

The ISU adds, "To comply with the ethical values of sports, any music chosen for Ice Dance competitions must not include aggressive and/or offending lyrics".

The following were not allowed: one or more stops, separations (except during twizzles), retrogressions, hand-in-hand holds with fully extended arms, and loops.

[17] Both senior and junior ice dance teams had to perform only one short lift during the RD, lasting up to eight seconds.