Spread eagle
Gliding on two feet turned out in opposite directions, one blade travelling forwards and the other backwards along the same curve.
Also called spread-eagle, inside spread eagle or outside spread eagle. Other names.
Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.
Both feet stay on the ice with the heels towards each other and the toes pointing opposite ways, so one blade travels forwards and the other backwards, and both follow the same curve. US Figure Skating defines it in exactly those terms: a forward edge and the matching backward edge, on one tracing. Its rulebook allows the pair to be outside edges or inside edges, as long as the two match.
Ice Skating Australia asks for the inside edges at Free Skate 2: at least a metre on a curve, both knees straight, in both directions. New Zealand’s KiwiSkate teaches the inside spread eagle at Novice 2 and accepts it at Free skating 2 in place of the Ina Bauer. British and US tests name it for choreographic sequences.
In the Ina Bauer the two feet travel on parallel tracings, with the back leg extended behind.
Off the ice
- Hips and turnoutHow far the legs rotate outward from the hip, for the free leg, mohawks and the spread eagle.
Appears in
In the UK's grades
No test syllabus recorded yet.