How can I gain speed on my scratch spin?

Question

Sometimes I get it centered, and sometimes I just travel! I really need to gain speed on it. Any advice? Thanks in advance. :)

Answer 1

Spin reeeeeally tight.

Answer 2

Before you spin, make sure your crossovers are powerful. Get as much speed as possible, but don't go so fast that you aren't comfortable.

Whenever you step into the spin, make sure your left arm is in front of your chest (assuming you spin to the left. If not, make sure your right arm is in front of your chest) then when you push and start spinning, pull your arms so they are out in the "T" position.

Hold your free leg out for some "hang time" until you get centered. Then start bringing your leg and arms in slowly. Do not whip them in or you will go off balance and travel a lot.

Remember to push your leg down into the cross foot position, too, because that will help the speed. But don't do it too fast, because, again, you'll go off balance. Also, push your arms down with your foot for some extra speed.

I hope I helped!

Answer 3

Well centering your spin will help you a lot in the long run on gaining speed into your spin, so keep practicing you entrance and whipping into the spin in order to find that "sweet spot" that will help you center your spin. Beside that, what will help is once you are spinning, hold your free leg out for as long as possible (practice holding out you leg at home for as long as possible to gain muscle and strength for this) and once you feel comfortable and centered, then you pull the leg and arms in very forcefully. This free leg is very important, and needs to be in front of you, and not to the side. It is also very important that your arms and leg pull in together. If you watch a real professional on youtube or some video website you can carefully watch and kind of see this. Keep working on it and it will come with time! Good luck, and happy skating!! ;]