What Happens When a New Element Is Created?
The journey of a new move from an athlete’s idea to the IPSF Code of Points
New elements, combinations and technical movements are constantly being developed in pole and aerial sports.
But when an athlete creates a spectacular new move, it does not automatically become an official competition element.
Within international competitive sport, new elements need to go through a professional review process before they can potentially become part of the official scoring system.
The International Pole & Aerial Sports Federation (IPSF) has an official system for submitting new elements and combinations.
1. It starts with an idea – and a video
An athlete creates a new move or combination and wants to have it officially recognised.
Under the IPSF submission system, a video of the move or combination must be submitted, together with a clear name for the element.
Official submission page:
https://ipsfsports.org/en/aerial-hoop/aerial-sports/new-element-submission-aerial-hoop-sports
The video allows the technical team to clearly assess how the movement is performed and what makes it technically distinct.
2. The technical review begins
According to the IPSF, a response or request for further information is normally provided within 14 working days.
The submitted element is then considered from a technical perspective.
The aim is to determine whether the movement can be clearly identified and whether it meets the criteria required for inclusion within the sport's technical framework.
3. The element receives an official name
This is one of the most interesting parts of the process.
The athlete can suggest a name for the new move, but that name does not necessarily become the official technical name.
If the proposed name does not fit the IPSF coding system, the IPSF Technical Committee may decide on an appropriate technical name.
The athlete's proposed name can remain as an AKA, or alternative name.
4. There is an opportunity for appeal
Once a new element has been approved, the IPSF advertises it and allows an appeal process.
This provides an additional stage of professional review before the element moves forward.
If there is no successful appeal, the element can proceed to consideration for inclusion in the IPSF Code of Points.
5. The element can become part of the Code of Points
The next step is to determine whether the new element should be included in the IPSF Code of Points.
The current IPSF Pole Sports Code of Points provides the technical framework used to evaluate competitive performances and is designed in line with Olympic-style sporting standards.
IPSF – Pole Sports Code of Points:
https://ipsfsports.org/en/free-videos/pole-sports/code-of-points-pole
The current Pole Sports Code of Points covers the 2025–2027 cycle.
6. An official reference is created
If the element is successfully placed into the Code of Points, the IPSF states that it will be:
filmed,
officially named,
given an AKA where applicable,
assigned a point value,
and published as a reference on the IPSF YouTube account.
At this point, a movement created by an individual athlete can become an officially recognised and assessable element within the international competition system.
7. Timing matters
According to the current IPSF information, new elements must be submitted before 31 July to be considered for inclusion in the following year's updated Code of Points.
Deadlines and technical requirements can change, so athletes and coaches should always check the latest official IPSF information.
A new element is much more than a spectacular trick
When we see an unfamiliar movement for the first time at a competition, it may look as though an athlete has simply “invented a new trick”.
In reality, the process is much more sophisticated.
A new element is part of the evolution of the sport. It can begin with an athlete's creativity, go through professional technical review, receive an official classification and name, and eventually become part of the international scoring system.
This is one of the reasons why pole and aerial sports continue to evolve as technically demanding competitive disciplines.
The IPSF currently recognises multiple disciplines, including Pole Sports, Aerial Hoop, Aerial Pole, Artistic Pole and Artistic Aerial Silks, each with their respective rules and competition structures.
Source: International Pole & Aerial Sports Federation (IPSF)
Official IPSF website:
https://ipsfsports.org/
New Element Submission:
https://ipsfsports.org/en/aerial-hoop/aerial-sports/new-element-submission-aerial-hoop-sports
IPSF Pole Sports Code of Points:
https://ipsfsports.org/en/free-videos/pole-sports/code-of-points-pole
IPSF Athlete Hub – Technical Resources:
https://ipsfsports.org/en/athletes-coaches-info/athlete-info/athlete-hub
