Two-foot spin

Both feet on the ice, turning on the spot. The first spin every learn-to-skate programme teaches.

Also called two foot spin or beginning two-foot spin. Other names.

spin

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.

shoulder to hip —on the —

both blades on the ice, a hip's width apart: entered, centred, three turns with a wind-up, opened out. Negative twist means the shoulders are held back against the hips, which stores rotation before a takeoff and checks it on a landing.

Both blades stay on the ice and turn together on the spot, the feet close, while the arms and upper body drive the rotation. Ice Skating Australia asks for the skates to stay together: one revolution at first, then two, then three from an entry of two or three backward crossovers, finishing on a back outside edge with the free leg extended. Learn to Skate USA has a beginning two-foot spin of up to four revolutions at its fourth level and an advanced one of at least four at its fifth. KiwiSkate teaches it from a spiralling edge.

Australia’s measure of a good one is that it stays put: no more than three blade lengths from where the first revolution started. U.S. Figure Skating treats it as a different spin from any one-foot spin, and lets it count as one of the two spins on its Pre-Preliminary test.

Build on

Two-foot turnBoth turn on two blades. Learn to Skate USA teaches two-foot turns at its second and third levels and the two-foot spin at its fourth.

Off the ice

Spotting and rotationTurning quickly without dizziness, and seeing straight again when the turning stops.

Leads to

One element in the guide is built on this one.

Upright spinThree or more revolutions on one back inside edge with the skating leg straight.

Appears in

In the USA's grades