-
Increasing Layback Speed and Side Layback Tips (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of the layback spin. During the first part of this video, Bobbe talks at length about how to make a layback spin faster or spin longer. She talks about arm and body and leg positions and their relationship to George. As a reminder, George is the […] Continue reading →
-
Improving a Layback Spin with Haircutter Variation (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues with a layback spin lesson. You can view part 1 of this lesson here. In this part, Kim works with the skater to integrate a haircutter position into the spin and a stronger exit. After the layback and haircutter, Kim wants the skater to return to the “skinny V” prior […] Continue reading →
-
Important Spinning Advice (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares some thoughts about spin training. To start the video, she finishes up a discussion of the backspin layback she covered here. She suggests using a running 3-turn sequence to get into the spin. The free leg should be in the attitude position throughout the entry. The real value […] Continue reading →
-
Basic Layback Spin Tips (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a skater to improve a layback spin. Kim starts the lesson by discussing the details of centering the upright spin before entering the layback position. This provides a great summary of Kim’s basic spin system. Kim not only explains this to the skater, but also draws a diagram on […] Continue reading →
-
Learning a Layover Camel Spin (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan teaches a skater how to do a layover camel spin. Going into this lesson, the skater had never attempted a layover, so we get to see how Kim introduces it and builds it up. We also get to see what can go wrong and how she addresses it. Kim starts by […] Continue reading →
-
Layback Lesson (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen gives a skater a lesson the layback spin. As you’ll see, this skater’s base layback is actually more like a side layback. She has a very hard time going straight back. Sheila addresses this initially by trying to correct the free leg and free foot position. The tip here is very […] Continue reading →
-
Developmental Spins and Using a Trampoline for Jumps (Laurent Depouilly)
World and Olympic coach Laurent Depouilly offers some helpful coaching ideas related to beginner spins and using a trampoline for jump training. At the beginning of the video, Laurent has the skater do a sit spin and then a camel spin. Like almost all top coaches, Laurent wants the skater to step back into the […] Continue reading →
-
Centering an Upright Forward Scratch Spin (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a skater who is struggling to center a forward upright scratch spin. There are many reasons that skaters may struggle with centering, and throughout this lesson the skater exhibits a variety of problems. This gives Kim a chance to make a variety of corrections, including winding up the hips […] Continue reading →
-
Why Do Spins Slow Down? (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about spin speed, and she offers insights about why a spin might slow down. This is one of the most common issues in skating as many skaters can generate a fast spin, but they slow down quickly. Bobbe says, “The main thing I really think is that the […] Continue reading →
-
Tips for Co-Centering a Change Foot Spin (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan shares important tips for skaters who are working on change foot spins but have problems maintaining the same center for both spins. It is ideal to push into the second spin and spin in the same spot as the first spin. Kim begins by explaining the most common problems, such as […] Continue reading →
-
Sit Spin Tips and Observations (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses some aspects of the sit spin, both forward sit spin and back sit spin. At the beginning of the video, she notes that skaters that make progress quickly on the sit spin are those that are willing to fall on it. As she says, “I don’t know anybody […] Continue reading →
-
Trick to Get Backspin Spinning Backward (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares a valuable tip on how to help skaters who are struggling to learn a correct backspin (blade gliding backward in spin). This can be incredibly frustrating for the skater and the coach. Initially Bobbe talks about the entry she uses for the backspin, to build consistency and confidence. Then […] Continue reading →
-
Powerful Transitions in Change Foot Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the push into a backspin from a forward spin during a change foot spin. She reminds us, “Anytime you change position on a spin or anytime you change feet, everything you need for the hook you need again. You need a new axis for the new position or […] Continue reading →
-
Improve Sit Spin Strength – Part 4: Adults vs. Kids (Matthew Blair Davis)
Figure skating strength and conditioning expert Matthew Blair Davis continues his discussion on techniques for improving a skater’s strength for the sit spin. In Part 1, he shared a progression of exercises that develop the necessary basic strength, balance, and awareness. In Part 2, he continued with more insights and more difficult drills. In Part 3, Matthew continued […] Continue reading →
-
All About Sit Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of spin basics. In the first video of this series, she shared a repeatable spin setup and entrance to maximize rotational energy while giving the skater the greatest possible chance for centering consistently. In the second video, she reiterated that she goes back to these basics whenever […] Continue reading →
-
Improve Sit Spin Strength – Part 3 (Matthew Blair Davis)
Figure skating strength and conditioning expert Matthew Blair Davis continues his discussion on techniques for improving a skater’s strength for the sit spin. In Part 1, he shared a progression of exercises that develop the necessary basic strength, balance, and awareness. In Part 2, he continued with more insights and more difficult drills. In this video, Matthew continues […] Continue reading →
-
Back Sit Spin Tips (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan shares a number of valuable tips for improving a back sit spin. Some of the tips will help improve any backspin entry. Kim says, “The trouble with most people’s back spins are their entries.” She discusses the common problem of what she calls “the wiggle” or “train tracking” where the skater is […] Continue reading →
-
Combination Spin Lesson (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen offers a series of tips to improve a combination spin. The combination spin in question is a back camel, back sit, twisted back sit, upright, change foot to haircutter. Sheila begins by addressing position issues with the back camel. She asks the skater to lock the free knee, open the free foot, […] Continue reading →
-
How to Center a Spin, Sit Spin Basics (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of spin basics. In the previous video, she shared a repeatable spin setup and entrance to maximize rotational energy while giving the skater the greatest possible chance for centering consistently. In this video, she reiterates that she goes back to these basics whenever her skaters are having […] Continue reading →
-
Improve Sit Spin Strength – Part 2 (Matthew Blair Davis)
Figure skating strength and conditioning expert Matthew Blair Davis continues his discussion on techniques for improving a skater’s strength for the sit spin. In Part 1, he shared a progression of exercises that develop the necessary basic strength, balance, and awareness. In this video, he continues with more insights and more difficult drills. By using a smaller […] Continue reading →
-
Using “Big Muscles” to Pull In on Jumps (Robert Tebby)
In this short video, World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby offers a valuable drill for developing the feeling of using “big muscles” to pull in on jumps (and spins). One of the most common jump errors is when skaters simply “pull in” by just focusing on their hands and feet without maintaining tension in the […] Continue reading →
-
Advanced Spin Lesson (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a spin lesson to a skater with advanced spinning skills. Notice how even with her advanced skaters, Charyl starts the lesson with a basic upright back spin and works toward improvements (in this case, primarily head position). The concept of feeling the collar of the skating jacket to keep the […] Continue reading →
-
Spinning Basics & Forward Upright Scratch Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire reviews her foundational spin concepts and explains the challenges of the forward scratch spin. After a brief introduction, Bobbe talks about how she uses a 5-step system to teach spins. She says, “All you have to learn are 5 things and 1 rule… and two words, and then you know […] Continue reading →
-
Improve Sit Spin Strength – Part 1 (Matthew Blair Davis)
Matthew Blair Davis shares tips and techniques for improving a skater’s strength for the sit spin. The sit spin requires significant strength in the legs and torso. A lack of strength is a common limitation for skaters learning the sit spin, as expected in young skaters but also true for many adult skaters. After a brief […] Continue reading →
-
Improving an Attitude Spin (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch works with a skater on her attitude spin. The attitude spin is a foundational spin that provides some basics to be used later when a skater learns a layback. The attitude spin is an important skill to master. In this video, we get to see how Charyl approaches the spin with a […] Continue reading →
-
Broken Leg Sit Spin, Plus Spin Drawings (Sheila Thelen)
In this video, figure skating coach Sheila Thelen is giving a skater a lesson on the broken leg sit spin (sit side). Sheila explains one method of using the arms on this spin to make the spin more compact to increase rotational speed. She also has the skater turn the head sideways. She makes the point that skaters […] Continue reading →
-
Spin Lesson Pt 2 – Sit Change Sit (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues with a spin lesson for one of her skaters. In the first part of this lesson, Charyl covered the forward upright scratch spin, the back upright scratch spin, and the forward sit spin. In this part, the focus is on the forward sit spin change foot to back sit spin. The […] Continue reading →
-
Spin Lesson Pt 1 – Forward Scratch, Back Scratch, Forward Sit (Charyl Brusch)
In this video, spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a spin lesson to one of her skaters. The value in watching this video comes from seeing the errors (which are common) and the corrections and discussion. At the beginning of the video, the skater performs a pretty good forward scratch spin which is centered and relatively […] Continue reading →
-
Layback Spin Lesson – Fixing the Basics, Part 2 (Kim Ryan)
Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan continues her layback lesson with a skater during a spin seminar. In the first part of the lesson, Kim talked about all of the main problems with the spin. In this video, she uses video to help the skater clearly understand the issues. A very high percentage of the population […] Continue reading →
-
Layback Spin Lesson – Fixing the Basics, Part 1 (Kim Ryan)
Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a layback lesson to a skater as part of a spin seminar. The skater does a layback with many fundamental errors which Kim identifies and then offers solutions for. A layback spin should have a straight skating leg and Kim spends quite a bit of time working with the […] Continue reading →
-
Misconceptions About Spins (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen talks about 2 common misconceptions related to spinning. A high percentage of skaters are unable to correctly answer the following questions: Where on the blade do you balance as you spin? Does a forward scratch spin spin forward or backward on the blade? Sheila explains the proper location for spinning on the […] Continue reading →
-
A Spin Lesson – Multiple Spin Tips (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives one of her skaters a spin lesson. Sometimes it can be helpful for coaches and skaters to see how other coaches give lessons. Some of the information in these kinds of lessons is universal in that it applies to many situations for large numbers of skaters. Here Charyl begins the […] Continue reading →
-
Pancake Sit Spin Lesson (Kim Ryan)
Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a skater on her pancake spin. We join this lesson in progress after initial work on entry and the basic sit spin. The skater performs a pancake where she stands up almost all the way between the basic sit and the pancake. Kim wants the skater to keep […] Continue reading →
-
Layback Spin Lesson & Starting Biellmann Spin (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives one of her skaters a layhback spin lesson, which includes the skater’s first attempts at a Beillmann spin. Throughout the video, Charyl shares tips and tricks for laybacks, side laybacks, the haircutter variation, and the Beillmann. In the layback, notice the focus on the free leg and hip position. Charyl […] Continue reading →
-
Create a Spin (Kim Ryan)
During a spin clinic, figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan asks a low level class to create their own spins. So much of figure skating is dominated by coaches telling skaters what to do, leaving little or no room for fun or creativity. This kind of exercise is therefore foreign to many of the skaters […] Continue reading →
-
Sit Spin Tips for Adult Skaters (Charyl Brusch)
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch shares her thoughts about common problems that adult skaters face when learning the sit spin. Because most adult skaters don’t want to fall, they often round their back, sit too far back, and have their free leg too high. This throws off the balance of the spin and makes it impossible […] Continue reading →
-
Warming Up On-Ice For Jumping (Robert Tebby)
World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby teaches important on-ice warm-up exercises for preparing to jump. These exercises focus on core jumping principles such as head position and movements, proper alignment and timing for the air position, and head position on jump landing. The first drill is an alternating twizzle drill, with the primary focus being […] Continue reading →
-
Camel Spin for Low Level Skaters (Kim Ryan)
During a spin clinic, figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a low level class on camel spins. Some of the information presented in this video is similar to her presentation to high level skaters here (Part 1) and here (Part 2). But most of the focus of this presentation is different and applies […] Continue reading →
-
Strategy for Maximizing IJS Spin Points (Bobbe Shire)
In this video, figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire offers many insights for maximizing IJS points for spins. This is a long video with lots of ideas. The specific rules and point values may have changed by the time you are reading this and watching this video. The video was recorded in December 2013 but […] Continue reading →
-
Outside Edge Camel Spin – Part 1 (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan teaches a spin class how to do a forward outside edge camel spin. Kim begins by acknowledging that there are many ways to achieve the goal, but she likes to start with the camel “base position” which she prefers “square.” She explains the basic process as: start in a strong base […] Continue reading →
-
Camel Spin for Adult Skaters (Page Lipe)
Page Lipe gives a camel spin lesson to an adult skater who struggles with the spin. Overall, the video offers a large number of ideas and tips that Page has found useful with this skater. Adult skaters often struggle with the camel spin for a variety of reasons. The demonstrator in this video lacks flexibility […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Sit Spin Part 3 (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues her spin class introduction to the sit spin. In Part 1 Kim focused on the very basics, building from basic stationary dips. In Part 2, she focuses primarily on the arms and proper arm movement for a sit spin. In the video below, she begins with a tip to help […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Sit Spin Part 2 (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues her spin class introduction to the sit spin. This video reinforces and clarifies some of the things covered in Part 1 of this series. In a discussion with the class, Kim asks if the skaters are taught to keep the left hand in front on the entry or if they’ve […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Sit Spin Part 1 (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan explains to a spin class how she introduces the sit spin. To help skaters who are just learning the sit spin get low enough, Kim has the class do stationary dips on two feet. Notice the focus on pressing the body forward, which is typically necessary to balance a sit spin. […] Continue reading →
-
Change Foot Spins – Sit Change Sit (Charyl Brusch)
This is yet another fantastic video from spin specialist Charyl Brusch In this video, Charyl discusses the theory and technical details of doing change foot spins, from the front spin to the back spin. The specific spin under consideration is the sit-change-sit. There is a ton of practical information in this video. From the front […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Upright Spin Variation (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan teaches a class an upright forward spin variation she calls the “egg beater.” We are not sure if this spin has a formal name and Kim makes it clear at the beginning that many skating elements have different names, depending on the location around the world. This spin is not difficult […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Camel Spin Part 2 (Kim Ryan)
Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues with her class on camel spin. In the first camel spin video, Kim focused on the entry and positions of the camel without actually winding up and doing a spin. In this video, the class tries to put these ideas into practice. As in many seminars and clinics, the skaters […] Continue reading →
-
Figure Skating Spins – Camel Spin Part 1 (Kim Ryan)
During a spin clinic, figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan works with the class on camel spins. To start, Kim mentions and demonstrates that she wants the lower back down and the body forward on the entry of the spin. She says, “When you’re forward, that doesn’t mean you have to schlump.” In this class, […] Continue reading →
-
How to Spin Fast – Figure Skating Spin Speed (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire answers the age-old question about “how to spin fast.” This is one of the most common questions we receive here at iCoachSkating.com, especially by adult skaters and young coaches. Right off the bat, Bobbe notes that spin speed is generated by pushing strongly into the spin and having a good “hook.” […] Continue reading →
-
How to Center a Spin – Tips to Prevent Traveling (Kim Ryan)
Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan explains the need to ride and deepen the entrance edge of any spin. In this case, she is discussing the forward scratch spin (see Part 1) but she notes that this applies to sit spins and camel spins and is true for the back crossover entrance or the forward […] Continue reading →
