African Figure Skaters |
Figure Skating Spins
Types of spins include the following. Skaters can perform them alone or in combinations and sequences.
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The layback spin is an upright spin, usually performed by women, in which the arms are put in a circle in front of the body and the back arched so that the skater may look to the ceiling; the spin is accelerated by drawing in the arms. |
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A camel spin is a spin on one leg with the free leg and upper body extended and parallel to the ice, arm extended upward. The other type of camel spin is a donut spin. |
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A sit spin is what it sounds like, low to the ice with the skating leg bent and the free leg extended. It includes the descending spin to reach this position, as well as, the ascending spin to bring the skater out of this position. Skaters may land a jump in a sit spin; this is the flying sit spin. When a skater has her/his leg bend, it is called broken leg spin. |
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The Biellmann spin is a move in which the skater executes a one-foot spin while holding the other foot extended over their head and behind them, with both hands. It requires very great flexibility and spinning ability, and is almost always performed by women. When learning the spin the skater does not usually drop their head into the teardrop shape formed by their body so as to maintain balance. |
| The upright spin is a standing forward or backward spin on one leg with the free foot next to the skating foot, the side of the toe touching the calf of the skating leg. This is the basic skating spin. | |
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A scratch spin is a basic but difficult standing spin on an inside edge (usually the left foot), with the free leg extended in front, the thigh raised high, and the arms up and out to the side; the leg and arms are brought in to accelerate the spin. |
