Back Spin Figure Skating Tips – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

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Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she introduces the back spin.  Charyl notes that initially a backspin is more difficult to learn than the forward spin, but over time they become easier than the forward spin to the vast majority of skaters.  Charyl offers insights as to why this is true. When teaching a backspin, Charyl starts with a back inside pivot.  Many coaches neglect this step with their skaters, or do it without conviction.  But a good back inside pivot is important to learning the backspin because it teaches alignment, blade usage (staying forward on the blade – in this case on the toe pick), and body stillness associated with good spinning.  It’s important for skaters to be able to do the back pivot with most of their weight on the toe pick rather than on the main blade of the orbiting skating foot.  Charyl explains where she wants the arms and belly button to do a good back pivot. Next, after a skater can easily rotate in a still position on the back pivot with most of their weight on the toe pick, Charyl has the skater pick up the orbiting foot.  She wants it in a very specific location and explains a simple trick to remember it and feel it for the skater.  She also covers arm position in the next phase of the spin development.


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3 responses to “Back Spin Figure Skating Tips – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)”

  1. Jen

    Some verbiage makes her instructions unclear, “pick your foot up and pick your hands up,” but she SHOWS the hands closing into center, not “up”. Also, Why is she teaching the free foot next to the knee?

    Reply
  2. Trevor

    I think Charyl is using the terminology “arms up” for closing the hands into center in a high position, and leaving them there. I think she’s trying to stress that she does not want the skater to move the arms from this position for this drill. Thus, the hands come in to the center and the elbows remain up as demonstrated. As for why she is teaching the free foot next to the knee, this is a simple way to introduce the spin as most skaters are afraid to cross their feet. This position allows the skater to work on alignment and the feeling of spinning on a back outside edge without the distraction of additional movement or uncomfortable positions. This method simulates the one foot spin every skater learns before learning a forward scratch spin, except this is for the backspin.

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  3. Nancy

    I really like this approach. The girls seem very controlled in their positions, unlike when you try to get students to cross their legs right away! I am going to try this on my new back spin learners. Thank you Charyl!

    Reply

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