Sit spin

A spin held with the skating thigh at least parallel to the ice and the free leg forward.

Also called sit. 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.

The skating knee folds until the thigh is at least parallel to the ice, and the free leg reaches forward. That line is the ISU’s own definition and it is the whole of the element: a spin that does not get the thigh down is an upright spin with a bent knee, and is counted as one.

Getting down is the easier half. The fold carries the hip well behind the line you are turning about, and the free leg reaching the other way is what balances it, so the position is held by two things pulling against each other, with nothing stacked over the blade.

Rising out of it without letting the rotation die is the rest of the work, and the diagram shows why it is worth doing well: standing up brings everything to the axis, so a clean rise is also the fastest part of the spin.

Derived

Build on

• Upright spinThree or more revolutions on one back inside edge with the skating leg straight.
• TeapotA low glide on one foot with the free leg reaching forward, a balance exercise disguised as a trick.
• DipThe ISU defines a sit spin by the skating thigh being at least parallel to the ice. Ice Skating Australia's dip bends the knees to about ninety degrees.

Off the ice

• A deep, soft kneeThe bend skating lives on: strength to hold it, and an ankle that uses all the boot allows.
• Holding spin positionsThe sit, camel and layback shapes, held still for longer than a spin lasts.
• Spotting and rotationTurning quickly without dizziness, and seeing straight again when the turning stops.

Leads to

2 elements in the guide are built on this one.

• Combination spinOne spin passing through more than one basic position, each held for at least two revolutions.
• Flying spinA spin entered with a jump, with no turning on the ice before the take-off, named by the position it lands in.

From LBI

• Left backward inside edgethe plain edge, with no turn on it
• Left backward inside push backexits RBO · changes foot, the edge changes, the direction holds, the lobe continues
• Left backward inside step wideexits RBI · changes foot, the edge holds, the direction holds, the lobe reverses
• Left backward inside change of edgeexits LBO · same foot, the edge changes, the direction holds, the lobe reverses
• Left backward inside three turnexits LFO · same foot, the edge changes, the direction reverses, the lobe continues
• Left backward inside rockerexits LFI · same foot, the edge holds, the direction reverses, the lobe reverses
• Left backward inside bracketexits LFO · same foot, the edge changes, the direction reverses, the lobe continues
• Left backward inside loopexits LBI · same foot, the edge holds, the direction holds, the lobe continues
• Left backward inside choctawexits RFO · changes foot, the edge changes, the direction reverses, the lobe reverses
• Left backward inside counterexits LFI · same foot, the edge holds, the direction reverses, the lobe reverses
• Left backward inside mohawkexits RFI · changes foot, the edge holds, the direction reverses, the lobe continues

Clusters from LBI

• Left backward inside double threeLBI → LFO → LBI
• Left backward inside counter-mohawkLBI → LFI → RBI
• Left backward inside rocker-mohawkLBI → LFI → RBI
• Left backward inside rocker-choctawLBI → LFI → RBO
• Left backward inside counter-2½ twizzleLBI → LFI → LBO
• Left backward inside bracket-cross rollLBI → LFO → RFO
• Left backward inside bracket-counterLBI → LFO → LBO
• Left backward inside counter-threeLBI → LFI → LBO
• Left backward inside rocker-counterLBI → LFI → LBI
• Left backward inside three-mohawkLBI → LFO → RBO
• Left backward inside choctaw-three-rockerLBI → RFO → RBI → RFI
• Left backward inside double three-mohawkLBI → LFO → LBI → RFI
• Left backward inside rocker-counter-double twizzleLBI → LFI → LBI → LBI
• Left backward inside 3-turn-change of edge-double twizzleLBI → LFO → LFI → LFI
• Left backward inside triple threeLBI → LFO → LBI → LFO

Appears in