Synchronize [verb]; synchronized, synchronizing: 1. to cause to indicate the same time, as one timepiece with another as in ‘synchronize your watches’ 2. to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together​ Synchronized ice skating is a sport where between 8 and 20 skaters perform together in a group on ice. The first ever synchro team (the Hockettes) was formed in 1956 to provide ice hockey match-night entertainment in Michigan. The primary aim is for the team to move around the ice as one flowing unit at varying speeds, whilst completing different types of footwork. Synchronized skating uses the same judging system as singles, pairs, and ice dance and is judged primarily on teamwork, precision, speed, difficulty, and performance. In order for a synchronized team to flow in unison, individual skaters must be competent at a variety of ice skating skills, including speed, footwork and ice presence. The team performs a program set to music, with required formations including circles, lines, blocks, wheels, intersections, a move in isolation, and, at higher levels, lifts. The teams are required to perform step sequences involving a number of various turns such as twizzles, counters, brackets, and rockers, together with simpler turns like three-turns, mohawks and choctaws, and double-three turns.