Bobbe Shire
Bobbe Shire has been coaching for over 45 years. Bobbe has become one of the most sought after spin specialists in the world. She has worked with a number of National, World and Olympic competitors to perfect their spinning technique. Bobbe holds PSA Master Ratings in both figures and freestyle and has presented at numerous USFSA and PSA conferences and training camps throughout the country. Some of Bobbe’s well known clients include Sarah and Emily Hughes and Johnny Weir.
Bobbe teaches at the Garden Ice House near Laurel, Maryland. She also teaches at other rinks in the area and she currently coaches one day a week in Delaware. By specializing in spins, she has developed novel teaching methods that help her students understand and execute proper spinning techniques. As a specialist, Bobbe and her students are constantly pushing the envelope in terms of creativity, technical ability, and skill development.
Most recent videos at the top…
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares insights about how to fix a flying sit spin that spins too much at take-off so the skater cannot get proper lift. It is very common for skaters to either create too much… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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.… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire offers insights about the layback spin and also explains the tricks for learning a layback backspin. One important tip for a forward layback or a backspin layback is to stop the free leg from… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about using the layback spin to maximize IJS points and simply to have fun with. At the beginning, Bobbe discusses trying to get a level 4 call for a layback as a spin… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches a change edge camel. She begins by teaching the change edge using a forward upright spin. She explains that the hook on the original forward spin entry has a three… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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.… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares some helpful information related to testing for shoulder flexibility for Biellmann spins, haircutters, and donut spins. It’s a little hard to see in the video what Bobbe is talking about when… Continue reading
In this video, figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses teaching and learning methods in the context of skaters trying jumps within spins. In particular, Bobbe has her demonstrators attempt forward sit, jump into back sit. Notice that… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire teaches 3 skaters the back camel, jump to forward sit spin. None of the skaters had attempted this before this lesson so you get to see the typical learning process. Bobbe calls… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches the camel spin jump into flying sit spin combination. A jump within a spin can add an IJS level to a spin and Bobbe shares her favorite way of… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her description of the back camel. In Part 1, she talked at length about the back camel spin entrance and in Part 2 she discussed the back camel position in detail. … Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her description of the back camel. In Part 1, she talked at length about the back camel spin entrance. In this video, she begins by working on the back camel position… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches the back camel entrance. Right from the start, Bobbe notes that she does not like the common two foot entrance where the skater drags the free foot into the… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of bounces and illusions. She introduced these spins in Part 1 and offers more details here, focused primarily on common problems. First Bobbe discusses the common error she calls “jack knifing” where… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches what she calls “bounces.” She notes that this falls under the “windmill spin” family in IJS language. But she also notes that bounces are not the same as an illusion… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the sit spin and the sit spin variation she calls the clam (sit back on forward foot). On the clam she likes to have the skaters turn their heads to the side because… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the corkscrew spin, which she likes to call the spaghetti spin. This is somewhat similar to the crossfoot spin but unlike the crossfoot, the skater is only spinning on one foot in the… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her explanation of how she teaches a crossfoot spin. In the first video (Part 1), Bobbe explained why the crossfoot spin is important and how she prefers to develop it.… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches a crossfoot spin. This spin is generally misunderstood by skaters and coaches and few coaches know how to teach this spin properly. A crossfoot spin is a spin… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire goes into more details about a few things she mentioned in her previous video on spinning. Since the publication of Bobbe’s earliest videos on iCoachSkating.com, some subscribers have tried unsuccessfully to apply Bobbe’s… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses how she has changed how she teaches spins since some of the earlier recordings on iCoachSkating.com. Several years have lapsed in real time between Bobbe’s earlier iCoachSkating.com videos and the new videos… Continue reading
Bobbe Shire discusses some of the issues surrounding maximizing IJS points for spins. She addresses this by discussing a few Level 4 spin examples by her skaters. Bobbe notes at the beginning how everyone is focused on having Level… Continue reading
Bobbe Shire discusses the flying camel spin and comments on some demonstrations. As Bobbe notes at the beginning of the video, please review Audrey Weisiger’s Flying Camel video. This video is relatively short as Bobbe did not want… Continue reading
Bobbe Shire teaches variations on upright and camel spins. As Bobbe notes, these spins all require excellent flexibility. The spins discussed and demonstrated include the “Y-spin,” the “split-spin” or “Sasha Cohen spin,” the Biellmann spin, and the “donut”… Continue reading
Bobbe Shire discusses how to achieve the core change feature in the sit spin. She calls this a twisted sit spin. The video starts with two demonstrations and then Bobbe explains how to think about the core change… Continue reading
Bobbe Shire continues after her explanation of the pancake spin with a spin she calls the clam or reverse pancake.
Bobbe Shire discusses the details of a pancake sit spin feature. As Bobbe explains, this feature is not overly difficult to get as most reasonably flexible skaters can eventually get into the position.
Bobbe Shire shares some tips on learning the cannonball sit spin variation. According to Bobbe, the best cannonball position has the free leg completely parallel to the ice.
Bobbe Shire offers some excellent tips for change edge camels. This is a continuation of her initial discussion of the change edge camel.
Bobbe Shire discusses change of edge sit spins. (This is a continuation of Bobbe’s discussion of change edge upright spins and change edge camel spins.)
Bobbe Shire talks at length about change edge camel. As with all spins, Bobbe wants her skaters to spin at the ball of the foot, even for the forward outside edge.
One of Bobbe's main concepts for change of edge spins is revolutionary, but it is now growing in popularity.
Bobbe Shire offers her opinions and thoughts on teaching and learning the Biellmann spin.
Bobbe Shire discusses two change of position spins on one foot, camel sit and back camel back sit. She starts with the camel sit because it is the most common.
Bobbe Shire explains her expectations for the forward upright scratch spin.
Bobbe Shire discusses additional positions for the layback spin. Her demonstrator shows a version of the spin that can gain rotational speed as well as the haircutter.
Bobbe Shire continues her explanation of the layback spin. Make sure you watch Part 1 of the layback presentation here.
Bobbe Shire explains how she introduces the layback spin. Notice that Bobbe starts her presentation with a discussion of potential back injuries and how to prevent them.
Bobbe Shire shares her knowledge of the Death Drop.
Bobbe Shire gives a thorough explanation of the flying sit spin. The flying sit has been a challenging spin for skaters and coaches for years.
Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches "stars." Stars is one of those spin entrances that's been slowly disappearing.
Bobbe Shire discusses camel-change-camel. As Bobbe says, "The hardest thing about camel-change-camel is to do nothing. We all want to work it too hard."
Bobbe Shire talks about the theory and practice of change foot spins, and focuses on sit-change-sit. This is an awesome video with tons of great information.
Bobbe Shire discusses the back camel. She starts right off saying the back camel entrance is hardest of the back spin entrances.
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about errors in the camel spin and how she addresses them.
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses the camel spin. She explains why a camel is unique and different than any other spin.
Bobbe Shire talks about using the forward inside three turn entry for forward spins. She is not fond of the entrance and she explains why.
Bobbe Shire gives a thorough explanation of the sit spin. She discusses how it differs from the upright scratch spin. She also talks about the importance of "locking the back down."
Bobbe Shire talks about one of the most misunderstood aspects of spinning, which is setup speed. Bobbe talks about how high setup speeds are difficult to control and generally do not add to the speed of the spin, especially for lower level skaters.
Bobbe Shire discusses back alignment and body position and tension for spinning. This video is a continuation of Bobbe's 5 Steps of Spinning.
Shire discusses optional arm positions for forward spin entry.
Bobbe Shire discusses what causes traveling in a spin and what you can do to minimize it. This video is a continuation of her introduction to spinning, 5 Step Approach to Spinning.
Bobbe Shire explains and demonstrates her basic philosophy of spinning. In this video she shares her 5 Step Approach to Spinning. As Bobbe says, each step has a name and the important things to remember about it.
