GANGNEUNG, South Korea — Figure skating’s group warm-ups are a six-minute blur of tulle and sequins that have been known to fray nerves and foment bloody collisions. They unfold like multiple one-act plays on the same stage, at the same time, as skaters cram to ace their triple axels and layback spins, or, if they are so inclined, rattle their opponents.

“That moment for me was almost worse than when they called your name to compete because at least then you knew what was going to happen,” said the NBC analyst Johnny Weir, a three-time United States champion and a two-time Olympian. “With the warm-up, you have no idea.”

During warm-ups, skaters have not yet secured their masks of serenity. Unlike in other sports, this period is a storm before the calm; the strain shows in the competitors’ grim expressions and penetrating focus.

A lot can unravel in those six minutes: costumes, boot laces, confidence.

“I’ve had situations where my hair came undone,” the American Karen Chen, who will compete in the women’s figure skating short program Wednesday, said. “And I was so stressed out because I was like, ‘I only have six minutes, and my hair is flying in my face, and I’ve got to skate.’”