Charyl Brusch

Charyl Brusch has been coaching for over 30 years in Northern California. Charyl is one of the most respected spin specialists on the West Coast of the United States. She has been specializing in spins since the late 1990’s. Charyl is very willing to share her knowledge and she has presented at a number of skating seminars including the 2009 PSA World Conference in Orlando, Florida. Charyl works with skaters at all levels, from beginners to national and international competitors. She is also a Regional Technical Specialist.

Charyl began specializing in spin coaching at the recommendation of Scott Brown. Scott and Charyl taught together in Dublin, California and Charyl initially focused on spins with Scott’s students. At this time, Charyl works with the students of about 25 to 30 coaches in the Bay Area, helping them to increase the quality, consistency, and speed of their spins. Charyl is currently working regularly with approximately 80 skaters on their spins. Charyl also has a number of her own skaters and she continues to teach all other aspects of figure skating as well.

Charyl grew up skating in Southern California and she was trained by Barbara Roles and Ronnie Robertson. (Ronnie Roberson was one of the greatest spinners of all time and had the title of “the fastest spinner in the world.” Ronnie was actually studied by NASA for Vertigo.) Charyl skated professionally with Ice Capades and performed in “Nutcracker on Ice” at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, as well as in several local shows in the San Francisco Bay area. She also skated in several Charles Schulz shows in Santa Rosa, California.

Most recent videos at the top…

Spin Tips for Adult Skaters – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch begins a short series of videos discussing adult skaters and their specific issues in terms of spinning. She offers many tips for working with adult skaters to help them improve their spins. Charyl notes that in her experience adult skaters have more fear and less trust for their edges and positions, […] Continue reading →
Spin Strategy and Process for Maximizing IJS Points (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch discusses the strategy and processes she uses to help her skaters develop spins to maximize IJS points in competition. This process focuses on quality over quantity, and Charyl builds upon the inherent strengths the skater already has when selecting and training the spins for their programs. [Editor’s Note: All detailed discussions […] Continue reading →
Upright Spin Variation – The Y-Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches the upright spin variation called the Y-spin (sometimes also called the “heel stretch spin”). This video contains tons of important observations and insights to help anyone working on this upright backspin variation. The first tip Charyl offers is the idea of keeping the hips square, […] Continue reading →
Front Layover Camel (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains and demonstrates how she would teach a front layover camel to a proficient spinner. Obviously, skaters need a consistent front camel spin before they can really work on this. Charyl describes an initial position of reaching forward with the skating side arm in a front camel and balancing […] Continue reading →
Change of Edge Camel Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch shares how she teaches a change edge camel spin. This is a forward camel spin (blade skating backward, technically on an inside edge) that switches edge and skating direction (blade skating forward, technically on outside edge). As Charyl notes, this spin is difficult and it usually requires considerable practice […] Continue reading →
Learning a Hamill Camel (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains and demonstrates the process of teaching a Hamill camel to a skater who can already spin well. The move was popularized by 1976 Olympic Champion Dorothy Hamill and it’s not so much a spin as a unique transition from a back camel spin to a back sit spin. […] Continue reading →
Illusions – Learning an Illusion Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch teaches an illusion. The illusion falls under the “windmill” type spin in IJS language and is performed as part of a backspin. (A similar-looking spin done using the forward spin is called “bounces.”) Charyl uses 2 primary methods in this video to teach an illusion. In the first method, […] Continue reading →
The Butterfly Spin Entrance – Part 2 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her presentation on the butterfly spin entrance. This video clarifies some of the concepts covered in Part 1. Charyl discusses leg fanning, second leg timing (starts up before second leg drops), a strong back, the importance of taking off and landing on the toe picks, strong inside edge take-offs, low […] Continue reading →
The Butterfly Spin Entrance – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a step-by-step process for teaching and learning a butterfly. The butterfly is a relatively complicated skill to learn, so it’s hugely beneficial to see a presentation like this. The demonstrator in the video knows the exercises well, but has not yet mastered the butterfly itself. Charyl begins at the wall […] Continue reading →
Side Layback and Transition to Square Layback (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch offers insights regarding the side layback, and how to properly transition to the square or back layback position. She has the help of two talented advanced level skaters so we can observe how different skaters create these spins. Charyl takes a moment to explain how she teaches skaters to get into […] Continue reading →
The Upright Straight Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches the upright straight spin. This spin goes by many names including the heel stretch, Y-spin, and shotgun. This is an advanced spin requiring significant flexibility. As Charyl explains, the key is remaining on the same part of the blade the whole time. She usually develops them from a […] Continue reading →
Flying Spin Lesson – Death Drop Drills, Flying Camel Insights (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a skater a lesson on death drops and flying camels. Although this skater is challenged by these skills, this video offers insights into some of the drills Charyl uses to correct these problems. On the death drop, Charyl starts with “kick turns” to develop the basic feel for the element. With […] Continue reading →
Advanced Layback Lesson (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch works with a skater on her layback and layback variations (side layback spin, haircutter spin, and Biellmann spin). Notice how even with an advanced spinner, Charyl has the skater warm-up the back at the boards before attempting a layback. The basic layback performed by this skater is worth modeling. For the transition […] 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Mushroom Spin Tips (Charyl Brusch)

In this short video, spin specialist Charyl Brusch offers some insights and tips for the sit spin variation commonly known as the mushroom or “sit back.” This video is basically a continuation of the Charyl’s pancake video. She notes that you can do a mushroom from a front sit or a back sit spin. She […] Continue reading →
Pancake Spin Tips (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch offers some insights and tips for the sit spin variation commonly known as the pancake. She begins by helping the skater get into the position while providing support. Notice the detail of grabbing the blade and how to use the thigh for leverage. Charyl wants the elbows down in the pancake […] Continue reading →
Sit Spin Variation – Cannonball, Bullet, Fratianne (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch shares some fantastic tips for doing the sit spin variation with the leg in front and the body forward and down. This sit spin is known by many names including the bullet spin, the cannonball spin, and the Fratianne spin (after Linda Fratianne who did the spin in the late 1970’s), […] Continue reading →
Back Sit Spin With A Core Change (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch teaches a back sit with a body core change. Beginning at a standstill on two feet, Charyl has the skater work on the position which requires a strong forward body lean, placing the chest on the thighs. The trick is to place the arms in a position that provides leverage to […] Continue reading →
Cross-Foot Spins: Learning a Cross Foot Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she introduces the cross-foot spin. As she describes, the cross foot spin is a spin on two feet with the feet crossed. Just like any two foot spin, one foot is spinning forward and one is spinning backward. One approach to introducing the spin is to have the skater […] 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 →
Flying Back Sit Spin from Forward Inside Edge (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a lesson on the flying back sit spin from a forward inside edge take-off to a skater who has never attempted one. This spin entry has only recently become somewhat popular as a result of the rule changes associated with IJS. Traditionally it was not popular because it […] Continue reading →
Flying Reverse Sit Spin, Also Known as the Axel Sit (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives a lesson on the flying reverse sit spin to a skater who has never attempted one. The flying reverse sit spin is sometimes called an axel sit spin. It is characterized by taking off into a forward flying sit spin and then quickly switching feet and landing in […] Continue reading →
Flying Sit Spin – Part 2 (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her discussion of the flying sit spin. In this video, she works with another skater and shares additional insights to help those teaching and learning this advanced figure skating spin. Here we get to see Charyl “give a lesson” and she talks with us as observers about what […] Continue reading →
Flying Sit Spin – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

In this figure skating spin video, spin specialist Charyl Brusch teaches a flying sit spin from the ground up. To start the lesson, Charyl has the skater perform an upright flying spin from a standstill. This approach ensures the skater can work on the correct timing (not a flying waltz jump as a result of […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spins – All About Backspins (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch shares a ton of information about how to do and teach the challenging backspin. Typically the backspin is an element that takes a long time to develop. Charyl notes that she often starts with a back pivot but she notes, it’s not very effective, at least not by itself. Instead, she […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Flying Spin – The Butterfly (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches a butterfly. This discussion contains further details from Charyl on this spin as she already discussed the butterfly here. The butterfly is often confused with an Arabian. Charyl explains the difference and notes that almost no figure skaters actually do an Arabian. [Editor’s note: This is just […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Flying Spin – Death Drop Details (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch answers a broad array of questions regarding the death drop flying spin. This video is a continuation of Charyl’s previous video on introducing the death drop. The death drop has become one of the most popular flying spins in recent years thanks to the changes in the rules brought on by […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spin – Broken Leg Sit Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches a broken leg sit spin. This sit spin has gained new popularity recently with the recent rule changes that give credit for a “sit side difficult variation.” The broken leg sit spin has historically been a spin that some skaters can do well and others […] Continue reading →
Layover Camel Position Tips (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how to create a layover camel from a standard back camel position (from various entries including flying camel). She explains in detail the transition and movements needed by the skater. She notes, “Ahhh! It’s scary.” The first layover position Charyl shows typically allows the skater to create a lot of […] Continue reading →
Flying Camel Landing Tips (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her explanation of how she teaches a flying camel. In her introduction to the flying camel, she worked directly with a skater on the basics of learning the spin. In the second video covering flying camel improvements, she discussed how to build the flying camel with more speed and energy. […] Continue reading →
Flying Camel Key Positions (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her explanation of how she teaches a flying camel. In her introduction to the flying camel, she worked directly with a skater on the basics of learning the spin. In the second video covering flying camel improvements, she discussed how to build the flying camel with more speed and energy. […] Continue reading →
Flying Camel Improvements (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her explanation of how she teaches a flying camel. In the previous video in this series, she worked directly with a skater on the basics of learning the spin. In this video, Charyl continues her explanation of how she builds the flying camel with more speed and energy. She starts this video by adding the […] Continue reading →
Flying Camel Building Blocks (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her explanation of how she teaches a flying camel by working with a skater and discussing common problems and their solutions. There’s actually a huge amount of information in this video lesson, but you have to listen carefully and watch the demonstrations very closely. At the beginning of this video, Charyl shows how she […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spins Tip – Back To Front Change Foot Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how to change feet in a spin, from a backspin to a regular “front” spin. Charyl shows how to do this without changing centers or traveling. The basic concept is to switch to the backward outside edge of the backspin to a forward inside edge prior to the push/step. The skater then […] Continue reading →
Layback Spin Tips: Troubleshooting Problems (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch offers some troubleshooting tips for layback spin problems. This is the third video in the layback series from Charyl. In the first part, Charyl simply had the skater do various attitude spins without laying back. In the second part, she explained exactly how she turns it into a full blown layback spin. To help her skaters […] Continue reading →
Lay Back Spin In Ice Skating: Part 2 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her discussion of the layback spin. See how she initially introduces the layback in the first part of this series. In the first part, Charyl simply had the skater do various attitude spins without laying back. In this video, Charyl adds the discussion of actually laying back. At first Charyl asks the skater to […] Continue reading →
Lay Back Spin In Ice Skating: Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch shows how she initially introduces the layback spin. Charyl starts with an attitude spin where they go in like a scratch spin, put their skating hand on their skating hip, and the free arm over their head. As the arm goes up, their leg goes back into an attitude position. Charyl uses this […] Continue reading →
Death Drop Figure Skating Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch gives an excellent presentation on the death drop. When introducing the death drop, Charyl starts with a drill she calls the “kick turn.” Notice the drawing on the ice to encourage the skater to ride a deepening edge rather than jump early. Charyl describes the drill in detail including where to start with […] Continue reading →
Flying Camel Spin Video Tip (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches a flying camel. She always has the skater start on the wall in a T-position. The wall drill she shows is a pretty common way of introducing the flying camel but Charyl notes that the skater absolutely must stay on an outside edge and then pivot on the toe […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spin: Butterfly Entrance (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she introduces the butterfly spin entrance. Many coaches don’t teach this spin entrance at all as it is challenging to get the correct positions and timing. Charyl and her demonstrators do a nice job of helping clear up the confusion. Although not directly related to the butterfly, Charyl begins […] Continue reading →
Camel Spin In Ice Skating – Part 2 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her discussion of the camel spin. For skaters having trouble with the basic position, Charyl likes to use back spirals to work on the position. She wants them to do the back spiral in a straight line, with their skating knee straight and just dragging their toe pick. Getting this […] Continue reading →
Camel Spin In Ice Skating – Part 1 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches the camel spin. She starts by talking about the desired spinning position. One of the keys to a good camel spin is having the free hip on top of the skating hip. Charyl also discusses free leg position and body position and she offers a fun and […] Continue reading →
How To Spin In Figure Skating: Back Sit Spin (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch works with several skaters on the back sit spin. At the beginning of the video, Charyl discusses the issues associated with the common problem of spinning the back sit on the wrong edge (forward inside). Solutions she discusses for this problem include dragging the toe (skating foot to stay forward on […] Continue reading →
Sit Spin In Ice Skating Tips – Part 2 (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch continues her discussion of the sit spin. In the previous sit spin video, Charyl explained her philosophy on sit spin and how she teaches it. In this video, Charyl shares some drills for developing proper balance and position. In the first drill, she has the skater basically doing a backward gliding […] Continue reading →