Spins are an element in figure skating. There are many types of spins, identified by the position of the arms, legs, and angle of the back. The skater rotates on the round part of the blade, called the ball of the foot, just behind the toe pick. Spins may be performed singly or in a sequence combining different types of spins.

Spins may be performed on either foot. Figure skaters are rarely able to spin in both directions; most favor one or the other. For skaters who rotate in a counterclockwise direction, a spin on the left foot is called a forward spin, while a spin on the right foot is called a back spin.

In pair skating and ice dancing, there are additionally pair spins and dance spins in which the two skaters rotate together around the same axis.

Flying spins are spins that are initiated with a jump. These include the flying camel, flying sit spin, death drop, and butterfly spin. Usually, they go from a forward spin, to a back spin.

Spins are a required element in most figure skating competitions.

Types of spins

• The upright spin is the basic skating spin. The skater maintains a vertical position, often with the free leg crossed in front of the skating leg. It can be a forward or backward spin.

• A scratch spin is a fast upright spin. It 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. The spin is often finished by bringing the arms over the head to further reduce rotational inertia.

• The layback spin is an upright-type 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, however the spin is also highly admired when the skater maintains speed with the arms open, as in the image of Maria Butyrskaya above. Another variety of this spin is the catch foot layback, in which the skater grasps the free blade and pulls it toward their head.

• A camel spin (also known as a parallel or arabesque spin) is performed by assuming an arabesque" position (or spiral position) with the free leg extended behind at hip level, parallel to the ice surface. It is considered more aesthetically pleasing if the free leg is above the hip. A jump that lands in a back camel is called a flying camel.

• A doughnut spin is a variation of the camel spin where the skater pulls the blade of the skate of the free leg backward with one or both arms while arching the back to create a horizontal circular shape with the body. This is sometimes known as a horizontal Biellmann, and some skaters, e.g. Irina Slutskaya, use this to enter the Biellmann position.

• A sit spin is performed by assuming a "shoot the duck" position with the skating leg bent and the free leg extended forwards. It does not include the descending spin to reach this position or 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 turned inwards at the hip with the leg bent, it is called broken leg sit.
  • A Biellmann spin is performed by pulling the free leg from behind up and over the head. The blade of the skate may be held with one hand with the other hand grasping its wrist, or less frequently, both hands. This requires extreme flexibility in the shoulders, back, hips, and legs. It is named after Denise Biellmann, 1981 ladies' world champion from Switzerland (although she did not invent it, it was her trademark).
  • A crossfoot spin is a back upright spin in which the free leg is crossed behind the skating foot, or the front foot on a back upright is lowered and the spin becomes a two-footed spin.
  • A death drop is a flying spin performed by jumping up with a forward takeoff, kicking the same takeoff leg backwards, and landing in a back sit position. One of the major differences between a death drop and a regular flying sit spin is the position the skater attains in the air. Brian Boitano was known for his death drop.
  • Forward change-edge spins, where the skater goes on the outside edge when in a forward spin (this is not a change of position, but a "difficult variation" which garners supplementary points in the ISU Judging System).
  • Backward change-edge spins, where the skater goes on the inside edge when in a backward spin (this is not a change of position, but a "difficult variation" which garners supplementary points in the ISU Judging System).
  • "I" spins (or upright front-grab spins) are a collection of spins when the skater pulls the free leg up in front of his or her face or lifts it out to the side in a near-vertical angle (depending on the type of grab). The angle can be anywhere from 90 degrees (for less flexible people) to 180 degrees (for the most flexible). "Y" spins are an example of an I spin performed with less extension. Michelle Kwan is known for doing this variation consecutively on both feet. The grabbing arm can be either the left or the right, or both, and they can grab the skate or the skater's ankle. Sasha Cohen has been the driving force behind the recent popularity of this difficult set of positions, and the spin is sometimes known amongst fans as a Sasha Cohen spin.

  Figure skating elements

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