Kim Ryan

Kim Ryan is been coaching for more than 40 years. She is an acclaimed spin specialist who has been focusing on spin technique for many years. She is a National and International coach and she holds a PSA Rating. She teaches primarily out of 3 different rinks in the Pacific Northwest, and works in collaboration with other coaches, allowing her to focus almost exclusively on spins.

In 2008 Kim launched her “Spinergy” Clinic series, which brings her unique spin specialization to more skaters and coaches. She works with skaters of all ages, including adults, and skill levels from beginner through international competitor. Kim’s teaching philosophy focuses on an energetic and supportive approach to help skaters make maximum progress.

Most recent videos at the top…

Developing the Camel Spin (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a camel spin lesson to a young male skater. In a previous video, Kim worked with this same skater on upright forward scratch spin. We begin this video with a camel spin attempt by the skater. Notice how the skater spins with palms down and head down and […] Continue reading →
Basic Spinning Lesson – Upright Forward Scratch Spin (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a lesson on the upright forward scratch spin. The young male skater is just learning to control the basics of this spin, and it gives Kim a chance to explain in some detail her approach to teaching basic spins. Notice the step-by-step process she uses. Whether you teach […] Continue reading →
Sit Forward (Pancake) and Sit Behind Spin Lesson (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a young skater a lesson on some sit spin variations. The first variation is a sit forward which is known as the pancake. After the skater attempts one, Kim takes the skater to sit in the hockey box and work on the position and the hold. One trick that Kim […] Continue reading →
Broken Leg Sit Spin Lesson (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a young skater a lesson on her broken leg sit spin. Kim starts the lesson by analyzing and improving the skater’s forward sit spin before working on the broken leg transition and position. To improve the basic sit spin, Kim focuses on the skater’s arms by straightening them and connecting […] Continue reading →
Beginner Backspin (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a young skater a lesson on the beginner backspin. The real value in this video is not only the process that Kim uses, but the coaching along the way. This skater is struggling with generating enough rotational energy from the entry edge, so Kim immediately uses the back […] Continue reading →
Starting a Haircutter Spin (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues her lesson with a skater just learning a layback spin (see part 1 here). In this part of the lesson, Kim challenges the skater to learn the haircutter variation. As you’ll see, Kim uses a step-by-step approach to the spin starting with her “skinny V” entrance with the skating-side arm […] Continue reading →
Beginning Layback (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a skater on the basics of the layback spin. She says, “The number one most important thing about a layback spin is you have to find your balance, and you have to find the center of that spin.” She begins by working on a simple upright spin entry and […] 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 →
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 →
Drill for Victory Spin or Y-Spin (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan shares a drill she uses to help skaters with the basics of a “victory spin” which is also known as a Y-spin. This spin is an upright spin with the free leg held up to roughly head height with the free arm. The grab is usually at the ankle but some […] Continue reading →
Tips for Side Layback (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a skater on her side layback. In the desired position for this spin, the shoulders should be vertically stacked. But even many skaters who have good flexibility to the side may have problems getting this shoulder position. Kim offers a great way to address this. By doing a stand-still […] 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 →
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 →
Improving a Layback Spin (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a layback spin lesson. At the beginning of the lesson, Kim focuses on improving the skater’s upright position before switching to the layback. This position is critical, especially during the learning process, because it sets the upper body in a stretched position and helps the skater press the hips forward to […] Continue reading →
How to Improve a Flying Camel (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a flying camel lesson. She begins by sharing a standstill drill that helps a skater develop an understanding of the proper movement of the hips and legs. She starts by having the skater in a forward camel position against the wall. She uses an imaginary “fence” that runs perpendicular to the […] Continue reading →
Hydroblade Exit Tips (Kim Ryan)

In this very short video, spin specialist Kim Ryan offers tips for exiting a hydroblade position. As she notes, if you can glide in a position, you should be able to get into that position and spin in it (because it’s balanced). One of the most common errors for exiting a hydroblade is collapsing the […] 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 →
Butterfly Flying Spin Lesson – Common Problem (Kim Ryan)

In this figure skating spin video, spin specialist Kim Ryan is working with a skater to improve her butterfly. If you are looking for information about the basics of a butterfly, check out these two videos: Butterfly Entrance and The Butterfly. The video below focuses on one very common problem with the butterfly. Due to the focus […] Continue reading →
Case Study: Turtle Spin – Follow Up (Kim Ryan)

This short video by figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan is a follow-up to the lesson she gave a skater on a sit spin that transitions from a regular forward sit spin (sit front) to what the skater calls a turtle spin (also called a clam), which is a forward sit spin in a sit back position […] Continue reading →
Case Study: Turtle Spin (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan gives a lesson on a sit spin that transitions from a regular forward sit spin (sit front) to what the skater calls a turtle spin (also called a clam), which is a forward sit spin in a sit back position with the free leg tucked behind and the body compressed forward […] 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 →
Advanced Layback, Haircutter, Biellmann Spin Lesson (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan works with a long-time student on her layback spins. There are some nice tips in this video, but one of the main benefits you’ll get from watching this video is to see the outstanding demonstrations. The positions this skater achieves are worth modeling. They begin with a standard layback spin. […] 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 →
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 →
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 →
Outside Edge Camel Spin – Part 2 (Kim Ryan)

Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues her spin class presentation on the forward outside edge camel spin. You can see Part 1 here. Here she describes a drill she has the skaters do on the hockey circle. It involves a forward outside spiral where the skater deepens the edge and makes a smaller circle. Notice the […] 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 →
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 →
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 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 →
Spin Class – Scratch Spin Introduction (Kim Ryan)

Figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan teaches a spin class. In this first part of the class, Kim explains how she teaches a forward upright scratch spin. As is the case with most spin coaches, Kim likes to start with an upright scratch spin as a way to warm up, both in terms of technical […] Continue reading →