How to do perfectly centred spins?

Question

I can do a few (4-5) revolutions with a proper entrance, ie backward crossovers, choctaw, outside three with hooked exit, but after the first couple of revs, the spin starts travelling (I look at the tracing afterwards). What can I do to correct this? Is there any off-ice work I could do? Also, when in the spin, how are the feet positioned, inwards (toes together) or outwards (heels together)?

Answer 1

You should really try investing in a spinner, its a off-ice disk-like object. You step on it and simply spin! Its very hard at first but the better you are at it off-ice. The more centered you'll be on-ice. You can do any spins on it to center it on-ice. Camels, sit-spins, laybacks, beilmans, scratch spin, back scratch, back sit, back camel. Just try it! They work! Try looking straight ahead when you spin and keep your body and shoulders square. And your feet postision is better inwards, it looks better too. I hope this helps! =]

Answer 2

Those spinner things someone else talked about are DANGEROUS.  If you don't know EXACTLY how to use them, you'll get seriously hurt.  I flew off of mine into a wall because I was trying to get a really fast scratch spin, and the spinner slipped out from underneath me and threw me!  I would work on really thinking about your body.  When you enter a spin, try to spin right when you step into it.  My coach draws a circle, and when I go into my spin, I aim for the circle, and then as soon as I step into it, that's when I have to spin.  Too many people wait too long to start their spin.  They wind up too much before the spin and then take these long gliding steps into their spin.  That's wrong!  As soon as you step for your spin, you should be spinning.  And you may not even notice how long you're holding that edge before your spin.  Since you're used to looking at tracings, try to see how long you're holding your edge before you spin.  My coach says the more you press on your knee of the spinning leg, the more centered your spin is.  So go into the spin on a bent knee, so bent you can feel it on the top of your knee, and then stand up straight as soon as you hit your center.  It will help you stay centered and spin faster.  If you want off ice help, just wear shoes that have a two inch heel, like an ice skate would, and just practice standing in all the positions you do in a spin.  This will let your body get comfortable to where everything should be, and you don't have to focus on spinning or anything.  You can just concentrate on how your body feels.  Good luck

Answer 3

Heels together and I don't know of any off ice things you cando but one way to practice on ice is to stick your toe pick in and try to spin like that. When you feel comfortable enough, take your toe pick out...

Answer 4

i used to have one of those spinners they helped loads towards my spins and jumps but try slow first otherwise you will be off it! once you get the feel of the centre of gravity you should get the hang of it on ice. if you are doing the 2 foot spin then the feet should be slightly turned inwards (toes facing each other)  when you step forward you will almost do a full little circle before starting the spin make sure you are spinning with weight on the left leg or right depending which way you spin? make sure you keep the skating knee soft and not locked and you should of rocked back onto the sweet part of the blade the part between the toe pick and middle of blade keep your arms out as if hugging a giant beach ball and then slowly bring them in for the speed and keep all weight centred and head up.

Answer 5

i am so glad that someone asked this question. There is this really simple thing on the usfsa website. It's called a spinner and it's really easy to use. Once you get comfortable with it your spins become amazing. It helps you keep a center. And you can use it off ice without having to practice at the rink all the time.

Answer 6

well when you go into your spin (just like an upright scratch spin) hold yourself in a star position (like with you arms and free leg out standing up straight and then balance yourself) then pull in everything and you will keep your center. good luck!