What is the result if 1/4 of the team fails to meet general element requirements?

When a portion of a synchro skating team, specifically 1/4 of the team, fails to meet the general element requirements, the correct outcome is indeed to lower the element one level for each requirement that is not met. This policy is in place to ensure that the overall performance aligns with the standards set within the sport, taking into account that the cohesion and execution of a synchro team is critical to their success.

In synchro skating, elements are assessed based on how well the team executes the required components. If a significant portion of the team (1/4) does not adhere to these requirements, it indicates an inconsistency in the performance that affects the entire team’s ability to successfully execute the element as a unit. Therefore, to reflect this level of performance and maintain fairness in scoring, the element's difficulty is adjusted downwards.

This adjustment serves to acknowledge the impact of the failing team members and provides a clear response to underperformance while still allowing the team to continue competing. Other options would not address the performance deficits effectively or would misrepresent the level of the team's skill as reflected by their execution.