Spin specialist Kim Ryan begins a spin class with more advanced spinners, with the focus on the sit forward “cannonball” or “Fratianne” position. She begins the class with a basic forward upright scratch spin, going from spin entry to the skinny-v to the fast scratch position and then returning back to the skinny-v and then the exit. The skaters in this class are not used to the skinny-v concept and Kim calls the more open position the “starfish.”
Next Kim has the class do basic forward sit spins. She offers some tips such as leading in with the skating arm and bringing the free leg and arm around together. She also explains pressing the thighs together in the sit position as “pinching a glove” and she wants the skaters to hinge at the waist “so that your body weight is forward.” She asks for 10 revolutions in the sit position which should be easy for skaters at this level. Kim reminds the class to exit the sit position by first returning to the upright skinny-v (or any open position) rather than coming up to a tucked position which offers little in terms of options for changing positions or feet.
The main focus of this video is the sit forward “cannonball” or “Fratianne” position and Kim explains that skaters will not get the call for this position if they do not put their heads down (and she notes it’s the same for the pancake position). She continues by sharing her preferred way to perform the cannonball. Rather than grab the leg with both hands, Kim likes skaters to grab the top of the free toe with the free hand and the skating-side hand grabs or holds the heel of the free-side skate. She then has the skater twist the body slightly and turn the head to look through the resulting “hole” in the arms. This position has a number of benefits including a way to fully stretch the upper body to appear more flat. It also “stacks” the shoulders over the spinning side which is fantastic for balance. To demonstrate the position, she has a skater sit on the hockey bench and explains that this is a great way to learn the position before trying it on the ice. Kim then offers the important tip of turning the free toe outward to improve the stretch and keep the skater’s weight over the ball of the foot.
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