Spin specialist Kim Ryan begins a class on off-ice spin training. This video focuses on how to get started with upright forward spins and upright backspins. Kim begins by explaining how to place the foot on the spinboard that she uses (and sells at kimspinergy.com), but offers an important tip regardless of what brand or type of spin board one uses. It’s important to try varying foot placements to find a position that works, with a focus on bringing the balance point under the ball of the foot.
Kim has the class start with basic half turns for a forward upright spin. The purpose of starting with very little total rotation is to prevent over-pushing and so the skater can focus on balance and proper arm and leg positions and movements. Kim teaches a “skinny V” basic position for upright spins, both on and off the ice. The preparation position has the non-axis arm in front and the axis arm pulled back. The axis foot is placed to the side of the spinning foot and the skater pushes from the axis foot while bringing the axis arm around and forward to the final skinny V position.
After doing 6 consecutive half turns, Kim has the class try full turn spins. She offers the tip, “Try not to rock backwards. Sew your belly button to your back.” She also explains how to get proper alignment over the spinning foot. Then she has the class try two full turns. Notice the more extreme wind up or twist of the preparation position for more rotational energy. The goal is to complete the full rotations in the skinny V position and stop gracefully with full balance. Kim says, “Start forward, go forward, stay forward” as a way to highlight the forward balance on the spinning foot and keep the arms and free leg in front in the skinny V. She also makes a point of explaining the importance of “bringing that free side (axis side) around” to prevent spins (especially the camel spin) from “getting stuck.” She uses the analogy of a ball and bat where the bat comes to the ball. She gives one skater a small beach ball to help her feel this. Notice the constant focus on “nice and easy” so the focus remains on proper technique, balance, and alignment.
After 3 revolutions in the forward spin, Kim has the class switch to back spins. Here Kim shares another tip of stepping partially onto the board with the non-spinning foot as a way to stabilize it when stepping on. The basic spin preparation and technique is the same, just on the other foot. Notice that the pushing foot is often placed a bit further behind the spinning foot to help generate more rotational energy on the push off. While doing half turns, Kim suggests spinning in the skinny V with the thumbs up to help open the shoulders and improve posture. As before, she has the class start with half turns and then moves to one, two, and three full revolutions. To help prevent falls Kim says, “Push through the ball of the foot” meaning keep the balance point forward on the spinning foot during the push and throughout the spin. Another tip is to move the foot forward more on the spin board.
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