The No Hold Block is a quite new element as it was introduced in synchroskating in the season 2003/2004. It consists in a closed square block where all skaters don’t have to hold (no hold) each other while they skate along the whole length of the ice surface performing a step sequence. This element recalls the midline not touching step sequence of ice dancing. All skaters must execute the same step sequence in perfect unison with same speed and directions to keep the lines straight and the block square. This is a difficult element because it points out the weaknesses of individual skaters. Every single skater must be able to do the step sequence properly in order to stay in line with the rest of the team.During the step sequence the edges must be deep enough to be clearly recognizable and the distance between skaters should remain as constant as possible. Teams can begin facing this element by doing just a warm-up block without hold. Other simple exercises like three turns or mohawks followed by crossovers can be useful to learn how to keep the distance and the lines.Another good help can be the use of traffic cones. The coach should place the cones in order to define two or three identical parallel patterns ( I suggest no more than three and quite far each other because in case the pattern is particularly snaky the tracks may overlap and skaters may be confused by the presence of cones they don’t need) . Then two or three skaters at turn must execute in parallel the step sequence with the music reaching the cones in time in unison just like in compulsory dances.During a No Hold Step Sequence the skaters have so many things to do and to look at that sometime they are lined up in lines but not in rows and vice versa.A solution can come by making them skate one line at turn and then one row at turn.In this way the skaters can concentrate more on one aspect and get the feeling of the speed and the directions they must follow. The levels of difficulty of a No Hold Block depend on the steps included in the sequence which must cover at least 2 thirds of the ice surface. The steps are divided in 3 difficulty groups, as shown in the step sequences section, and additional features can be used to increase of one level the value of the element. The two additional features in the No Hold Step Sequence are:

• 1 change of rotation (at least 360° in each direction)
• modest body movement

Both features must be present in the step sequence to get a higher level.The change of rotation is described in the step sequences section. Modest body movement means that the skaters must use different parts of the body during the No Hold Block. The body is divided in three levels: High: above the shoulders Medium: between shoulders and waist Low: below the waist. In order to get these features the skaters must show twice body movement and each time they must use one level including the leaning of the torso. Here are some examples:

·        arms over the head (high level) + movement of the torso

·        high kicks (high level) + movement of the torso

·        spiral position (medium level) + movement of the torso

·        lunges (low level) + movement of the torso

·        shoot the duck (low level) + movement of the torso