Figure skating spins are
identified by figure skaters spinning or twirling on a single spot
(normally). The ability to perform figure skating spins requires
excellent balance, and the ability to withstand the dizziness that
inevitability comes from spinning. There are many different types of
figure skating spins, and multiple variations for each spin. Figure
skating spins can be performed as sitting spins, upright spins,
flying spins, traveling spins, on one or two feet, and forwards or
backwards. The criterion for a “good” spin is determined by: the
speed of the spin; the body control of the skater; and the ability
of the skater to spin without traveling (unless it’s a traveling
figure skating spin).
For beginners, the
two-foot figure skating spin is probably the best spin to learn
first. The two-foot spin is performed on the skating blades versus
the toe pick. As beginners get comfortable with the two-foot spin,
they can begin working on the one-foot spin by simply lifting one
foot while performing the two foot spin. For beginners, the goal
should be to perform two or three revolutions during a spin. The
next step in learning to perform figure skating spins is to spin on
the toe pick. Please see below for more information on many of the
various types of figure
skating spins.
Upright Spins
Upright figure skating
spins are spins simply performed while in an upright position.
Upright spins are considered the easiest of all figure skating
spins, and are normally the first type of
spins figure skaters
learn. The figure skater may execute the upright spins in either
direction; forwards or backwards. The basic upright spins are the
two-foot, and one-foot figure skating spins.
Two-foot Spin
To perform the two-foot
figure skating spin the skater will stand with the feet
approximately shoulder width apart. With good posture, the skater
will place one of the toe picks into the ice
and use the arms, head,
and shoulders to gain momentum for twirling the body. Just as the
spin starts, the skater should slightly bend the knees and
straighten them as the spin begins. One of the purposes of the
two-foot figure skating spin is to help the skater become accustomed
to the sensation of spinning. As mentioned, the two-foot spin is
normally one of the first (if not the first) figure skating spins
beginning figure skaters will learn to perform.
One-foot Spin
Once a beginning figure
skater has conquered the two-foot figure skating spin, he or she
will probably find the transition to spinning on one foot relatively
easy. To perform the one-foot figure skating spin, stand with the
feet approximately shoulder width apart. With good posture, place
one of the toe picks into the ice and use the arms, head and
shoulders to gain momentum for twirling the body. Just as the spin
starts, the skater should lift one leg from the ice, slightly bend
the spinning knee, and straighten the spinning knee as the spin
begins. Some figure skaters may find the one-foot figure skating
spin easier to perform than the two-foot spin.
Scratch Spin
The scratch spin is
performed in an upright position with the legs crossed, and the arms
extended over the head or across the front. The scratch figure
skating spin can be executed on a back outside or back inside edge,
and the spin is accomplished at an extremely fast rate. The scratch
spin is sometimes performed at the end of the figure skating program
as a part of the grand finale.
Biellmann Spin
Precisely who invented
the Biellmann figure skating spin is uncertain. However, this figure
skating spin is named after Denise Biellmann, a figure skater from
Switzerland. Denise Biellmann introduced the Biellmann spin to the
world in the 1970s. The Biellmann figure skating spin is an upright
spin that requires great flexibility, and is mostly performed by
women. During the Biellmann spin, the figure skater; arches the
back, lifts and grabs one skate and holds it high over the head, and
spins on the other skate. The figure skater can hold the lifted ice
skate with one or two hands.
Camel Spin
It is widely believed
that the British figure skater Cecilia Colledge invented the Camel
figure skating spin in 1935. During the Camel spin the figure skater
leans forward at the waist, with the free leg straight behind and
parallel with the upper body. The arms are straight out to the side,
one pointing toward the ice, and the other pointing toward the
ceiling. There are multiple variations to the Camel figure skating
spin, and it can be performed either forward or backwards. Some of
the noteworthy variations are the: outside edge camel spin; inverted
camel spin; Hamill Camel spin (named after Dorothy Hamill); Illusion
spin; butterfly spin; layover spin and the layover camel figure
skating spin.
Cross-Foot Spin
The cross-foot figure
skating spin is performed on two feet and is variation of an upright
spin.
The cross-foot spin is identified by the figure skater
crossing the free leg over the skating leg and spinning on the toes
of both skates. The cross-foot figure skating spin is considered a
difficult spin to learn, and a challenge for even the most advanced
figure skaters.
Layback Spin
The layback spin in an
upright figure skating spin where the skater arches the back deeply
while spinning. The free leg is up and out to the side and the arms
can be in a variety of positions. The preparation techniques for
performing the layback figure skating spin are the same as for the
forward upright spin.
Sit Spin
As its name implies, the
sit figure skating spin is executed in a sitting position. The sit
spin is performed with one leg bent deeply in a sitting position,
and the other leg sticking straight out during the rotations. The
figure skater should keep perfect posture during the sit spin. There
are multiple variations to the sit figure skating spin, and it is
considered a difficult spin for figure skaters to perfect.
Flying Spins
Flying figure skating
spins consist of a combination of a spin and a jump. The flying spin
is initiated by the jump. For beginners, learning to perform flying
spins would be a difficult endeavor. However, skaters that are
proficient at performing figure skating spins and jumps, find it
relatively easy to learn to perform flying figure skating spins.
Flying spins can also be performed in combination. Flying figure
skating spin combinations are simply flying spins and normal
“non-flying” spins combined. One of the most common flying figure
skating spins is the Flying Camel spin.
Flying Camel Spin
The flying camel figure
skating spin was invented by an American figure skater (Dick
Button), sometime in the 1940s, and was originally called the Button
camel. To perform a flying camel figure skating spin, the figure
skater will jump from a left forward outside edge, perform
approximately one revolution in the air, and land on a back outside
edge.
Traveling Spins
Figure skating spins are
normally performed by centering and spinning on a single spot,
without traveling or unintentionally wavering from that spot.
However, traveling figure skating spins are designed to travel
during the spin, thereby creating another exciting dynamic in figure
skating. Figure skaters have multiple options when choosing
traveling figure skating spins for their programs.
Figure Skating Pivots
Figure skating pivots
are performed when the skater places one of the toe picks in the ice
and makes circles around it with the other skate’s blade. During the
pivot the figure skater makes several revolutions, closely
resembling a figure skating spin. A pivot may provide for an
excellent ending sequence during a figure skating competition.
Figure Skating Spins:
Safety
Figure skating spins are
exhilarating to perform and exciting to watch, but figure skating
spins are inherently dangerous. Therefore, time and effort should be
applied to learning the proper techniques and potential risks
associated with figure skating spins. Finally, we encourage everyone
to seek professional instruction, and wear proper
skate protective
gear (as
appropriate) when learning how to perform figure skating spins.
