accountant
The official who compiles scores from judges and computes placements.

Axel
Named for Axel Paulson, the 1908 Gold Medalist who invented it, this is a jump on which the skater takes off from the forward inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. There are single, double, and triple versions.

"Invented by Axel Paulsen, the axel is the most fickle jump in skating. No one can claim to get it 90% right : it's the only one which sets off forwards from a waltz jump basis (half-turn), then becomes an axel (1 and half turns), then double axel (2 and half turns), etc ..."

camel
A spin performed on one leg, while the skater's other leg is extended in the air, parallel to the ice.

chasse step
Step in which the lifted foot is placed on the ice next to the skating foot. The latter, having become the free foot, leaves the ice in front or to the side of the skating foot.

choctaw
Passing from back to forward or forward to back from one foot to the other on different types of edges.

closed draw
A draw in which the referee draws numbers from a container, in the presence of judges, to determine skating order for an event. See also open draw.

combination jumps
A combination of several jumps in such a manner that each landing constitutes the lift-off for the next jump.

combination spin
An extended maneuver made up of two or more spins, during which the skater must change feet and positions while maintaining speed.

crossover
A method of turning corners and gaining speed on which the skater crosses one foot over the other.

A good way to get up speed. The skater crosses one skate over the other. You can crossfoot to the right or the left, backwards or forwards.

death spiral
In pairs skating, a difficult and crowd-pleasing move in which the male holds his partner's hand and pulls her in a circle around him; the female glides on one foot, with her body nearly horizontal to the ice.

double Axel
An Axel on which the skater performs 2 1/2 revolutions.

draw
The method of determining the skating order for an event. See also closed draw and open draw.

edge
Each skate blade has two edges, one on each side of the groove in the center, the inside edge and the outside edge, and each edge is divided into two sections, forward and back. On most maneuvers, specific edges are supposed to be used. For example, the specifications for the Axel call for a takeoff from the forward inside edge and a landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

edges
The 2 sides of the skate blade along tne concave part. These are the inside edge and the outside edge. Bearing in mind the movements forwards and backwards, we have 4 edges : forward outside edge, forward inside edge, back outside edge, back inside edge.

edge jump
Any jump on which the skater takes off from an edge of the skating foot without assistance from the other foot; for example, the Axel, loop, and Salchow.

flip
A jump, made with the assistance of the toe pick, on which the takeoff is from the back inside edge of one foot and the landing is on the back outside edge of the other.

"Like the toe loop, the flip is set up by a forward outside edge three turn. The body weight remains on the leg used for number three and you pick with the other leg. You always land on a back outside edge."

flying camel
A combination move, a jump spin on which the skater lands in the camel position.

flying sit spin
A combination move on which the skater performs a jump spin, assumes the sitting position in mid-air, and continues with a sit spinafter landing.

free
At any given moment, a skater is usually skating on one foot and the other is called the free foot. By extension, every other part on that side of the body is called "free," as free shoulder, free hip, free side, etc.

free skating
A portion of the competition, 4 or 5 minutes long, in which the skater performs movements, including jumps and spins, that are choreographed to background music.

layback spin
A spin on which the back is arched and the head and shoulders lie back.

lift
Any move in pairs skating in which the male skater lifts his partner off the ice. In the most spectacular lift, he holds her above his hand with one hand.

Pair movement where the man lifts his partner above his head on outstretched arms. The lift is composed of three stages : ascension, revolution and descent. Lifts also exist in dance but are usually less athletic and more strictly regimented.

loop
A type of edge jump on which the skater takes off from and lands on the same back outside edge.

"It's the only edge jump which takes off and lands on the same foot."

Lutz
Named for inventor Alois Lutz, this is a jump on which the skater, while moving in a backward curve, uses the toe pick to rotate in the opposite direction, taking off from a back outside edge and landing on the other back outside edge.

"The lutz is the only jump which stars the opposite way to all the others. It is similar to the flip in that it is a toe jump. You set off on an outside edge whereas the flip sets on an inside edge. You land on an outside edge with the same toe pick."

mohawk
Passing forward to backward or backward to forward from one foot to the other on the same type of edges.

open draw
A draw in which the skaters themselves determine skating order by drawing numbers from a closed pouch.

Pivots
Pivots resemble spins in that they involve rotation of the body around a stationary axis. That axis is defined by the skater placing a toe pick in the ice and scribing a circle with the blade of the other foot around that pivot point. Pivots are commonly performed as a conclusion to a spin providing an alternative to the traditional gliding exit or abrupt halting by placing the toe pick of the free blade into the ice. A gracefully performed pivot can also add to the aesthetic quality of a routine.

The most common pivots which rotate CCW include: right toe pick stationary with LBI edge, left toe pick stationary with RFI edge and left toe pick stationary with RBO edge. The LFO pivot (with right toe pick) is awkward and rarely seen.

referee
The official who has over-all charge of competition and serves as chairperson of the judges' panel.

running steps
Step in which the lifted foot overtakes the skating foot when put down on the ice. Thus the skating foot becomes free to leave the ice in the trace of the new skating foot.

Salchow
Invented by Ulrich Salchow, an edge jump on which skater takes off from the back inside edge of one foot and lands on the back outside edge of the other.

"The salchow is an edge jump like the loop and the axel. You start with a forward outside edge three turn and then face backwards. The arm corresponding to the supporting leg is blocked in a forward position and then the free leg is brought around the supporting leg to gain momentum which enables the rotation. You land as in all the other jumps, i.e on the back outside edge."

single Axel
An Axel on which the skater performs 1 1/2 revolutions.

 

SPINS
General Information
Spin Direction Spins are performed either forward or backward. In a forward spin, the skater’s body rotates forward in the direction of the spin. Counterclockwise skaters perform most forward spins on the LBI edge. Advanced skaters may perform camels on the LFO edge. Conversely, backward spins or “back spins” are performed on the RBO edge, and the skater’s body rotates backward in the direction of the spin. Whether the skater performs a forward or backward spin, rotation occurs in the same direction (i.e. counterclockwise skaters spin in a counterclockwise direction). The leg upon which the spin is executed determines whether it is a forward or backward spin.

Center All spins whether forward or backward should be centered. “Centering” refers to the positioning of a spin on the ice. Ideally, every revolution of the spinning blade will overlay the previous tracings, creating a circular impression in the ice (Figure 1). Perfect centering is not easy to achieve. Most spins “travel”, meaning the blade tracings are off set from each other. Figure 2 shows the tracing of a spin that traveled for a couple of rotations before achieving a center. This spin is reasonably good. The spin in Figure 3 travels around a central axis and would be considered satisfactory. While some minor degree of traveling is permissible, spins that travel across the ice leaving a corkscrew pattern are undesirable

Two-Foot Spins
Basic Two Foot Spin
Basic two-foot spins are the first spins taught to beginning skaters. They are simply forward spins performed on two feet. These spins are rarely seen beyond the lowest competitive levels.

Crossed Leg Spin
While only beginners perform basic two-foot spins, crossed foot spins can be a dazzling part of an elite skater’s program because they are particularly difficult to perform well. As the name implies, the spin is performed on both feet with the legs crossed. The body weight must be centered over the outside edges of the rockers of both blades. Skaters enter the spin from a forward or backward one-foot spin crossing the free foot over the skating foot and placing it on the ice.

Pivots
Pivots resemble spins in that they involve rotation of the body around a stationary axis. That axis is defined by the skater placing a toe pick in the ice and scribing a circle with the blade of the other foot around that pivot point. Pivots are commonly performed as a conclusion to a spin providing an alternative to the traditional gliding exit or abrupt halting by placing the toe pick of the free blade into the ice. A gracefully performed pivot can also add to the aesthetic quality of a routine.

The most common pivots which rotate CCW include: right toe pick stationary with LBI edge, left toe pick stationary with RFI edge and left toe pick stationary with RBO edge. The LFO pivot (with right toe pick) is awkward and rarely seen.

Forward Spins Preparation
There are two basic preparations used to initiate forward spins. The most common is back crossovers. Counterclockwise skaters perform right over left back crossovers, which travel in the clockwise direction. Before entering the spin, the skater glides on a RBI edge and turns his shoulders counterclockwise. This is the “wind up” segment of the preparation. Then the skater steps into the circle with his left foot, upon which he will perform the forward spin. During the step the shoulders are released as the left arm pushes into the spin. The left knee bends deeply. One full revolution is generally completed on a bent knee before snapping up into the spinning position. While spinning, the skating knee should be kept slightly relaxed rather than completely straight, preventing the skater from hitting the toe pick and losing control of the spin. Depending on the type of forward spin the skater performs the timing and details of the body position incorporated in the preparation may vary slightly.

The second preparation, which is commonly used for flying spins is also effective for forward spins. The counterclockwise skater performs a RFI3 then steps into the tangent circle with the left foot. Of course, there are many different ways a skater can step into a forward spin. Skaters may step directly out off the landing edge of a jump into a spin. Forward spins may also be included in spin combinations as the skater pushes out of a backspin transferring his weight from the right foot to the left. Common examples include sit spin combinations where the skater may change between backward and forward sit spins as well as concluding a spin combination by stepping form a backward spin into a fast forward scratch spin.

Backward Spins
Preparation:
Backward spins are initiated from a RFI3 turn. At the apex of the turn, the skater bends deeply in the knee to center the spin and convert forward momentum into angular rotation. The knee bend as well as timing, arm position and coordination of upper and lower body contribute to centering the spin. After about one revolution, the skater rises from the bent knee to lock the spinning position.

While backward spins can be performed in isolation, they most often occur in combination with a forward spin. To transition from a forward to backward spin, the skater places the right foot on the ice and pushes with the left back inside edge to transfer his weight from the left foot to the right. The push resembles a push into a pivot or a push to initiate a back outside edge. The left foot should scribe a wide arc, which centers the backspin.

One Foot Spins
Basic Upright Spin:
Executed either forward or backward, the basic upright position consists of an erect posture and free foot held next to the skating foot with the side of the toe touching the calf of the skating leg. This position has also been called a “stork spin” because it resembles a stork standing on one leg. Basic upright spins introduce beginning freestyle skaters to the concept of spinning on one foot. While this is the simplest one-foot spin, it occurs often in competitive spin combinations, often serving as a final position before concluding the spin with a flowing exit edge or pivot.

Scratch Spin
This is the classic spin performed at the end of many skating programs. The skater enters the spin standing upright with the free leg extended forward and toward the free side. In order to increase the speed of the spin, free leg is pulled in front of the body curving around the axis of rotation. The skater pushes the free foot down crossing over the skating leg. Simultaneously, the arms are also brought in close to the body then either pushed down toward the pelvis or lifted above the head. This generates great speed, and under the best circumstances creates a blurred effect. This spin may be performed forward or backward.

Headless Spin
A variation on the basic scratch spin, the headless spin gives an illusion of the skater’s head disappearing at the peak of the spin. As the spin increases speed by pushing the free leg down, the skater brings his arms in toward his chest then raises them to neck height. With the arms positioned at the neck, the skater tilts his head back to look straight upward as the spin blurs. The head is hidden by the arms and skater appears to be a "headless" spinning blur. The spin must be perfectly centered to maintain balance during this maneuver

Camel
The camel spin is performed in a spiral position in which the body is tilted forward and the free leg raised. Depending on the skater’s limberness; the body may be flat forming a “T” shape, the torso may be raised above the plane of the free leg resulting in swan dive position, or the torso and free leg may both be elevated creating a gentle curve. Countless variations of the basic camel have been performed including layover camels in which the body rotates to face upward, catch camels involving the skater grasping the free leg and kneeling camels when the skater bends his knee dipping into a lowered body position. Camels and their variations can be performed forward or backward

Outside Edge Camel
The most advanced technique for performing a forward camel is to transition to an outside edge while spinning. Skaters initially learn to do a forward camel spinning on a LBI edge. However, as a skater becomes more proficient, he learns to execute the spin on a LFO edge. After initiating the spin, the skater completes a LBI3 resulting in a LFO edge, as shown in Figure 5. By spinning toward the back of the blade, the spin is forced forward and can achieve great speed. Outside edge camels generally rotate on a larger circle than their inside edge variants. Similarly, advanced skaters may perform backward camels on the RFI edge rather than the RBO, which is typical of backspins. The skater completes a RBO3 turn to transition to the RBI edge.

Layover Camel
A variation on the basic swan dive position, the layover is most often performed as a back camel, though forward versions can be very beautiful and interesting. To achieve a layover, the skater rotates his torso upward during the spin. In the most extreme cases, his face and chest are directed upward toward the ceiling.

Inverted Camel
A more dramatic position than the layover, the inverted backward camel requires the skater to open her hips allowing her free foot to rotate such that the toe points up. Adding originality to a spin combination, a skater who has developed proficiency with the inverted back camel may adopt an interesting leg position by bending the leg rather than keeping it outstretched. The inverted camel is performed exclusively as a backward spin.

The inverted backward camel is an uncommon move in ice skating, not necessarily because it is overly difficult but because it is not a required test element. However, female artistic roller skaters are required to perform inverted backward camels, and they are included in almost every advanced woman’s program. Both Nicole Bobek (USA) and Josee Chouinard (Canada) perform excellent inverted backward camels on ice.

Sit Spin
The sit spin is simply a spin performed in a seated position with the free leg extended in front of the body and the foot pointed out. The quality of the spin is determined not only by its speed and center but also by the body position and depth of the seated position. In general, a spin with a straight back and shoulders is superior to one in which the skater’s body is hunched or rounded. Similarly, a straight free leg is more desirable than if the free leg were curled around the skating leg. A deeply seated spin requiring a fully bent skating leg is preferred to a spin in which the skater appears to be squatting over the ice. Skaters demonstrate mastery of the sit spin by performing both forward and backward spins with equally attractive positions on a deeply bent knee. Like the camel, there are many variations of the sit spin.

Broken Leg Sit Spin
A common variation of the sit spin is the broken leg sit spin. As its name implies, the skater’s free leg is bent and held to the side. This gives the leg a “broken” appearance in contrast to the straight extended free leg position achieved in ideal conventional sit spins. In the broken leg variant, the body generally leans toward the free side. This position resembles a fusion between a layback and a sit spin. Broken leg sit spins are rarely performed backward.

Cannonball Sit Spin
In the cannonball variation, the skater leans forward to hold the free leg and rest his head on the free knee. This spin may be performed forward or backward

Layback
Layback spins are upright spins in which the skater arches her back such that her chest faces upward. While this move was traditional considered a feminine element, it is now being incorporated into men’s programs. Ideally, the shoulders are parallel to the ice rather than tilted to one side. The free leg is held back and to the side with the foot turned out and parallel to the ice. The free leg position is a common source of error in the layback. A dangling bent free leg with the knee pointing downward toward the ice is considered undesirable. Arm positions are limitless.

Few skaters execute backward spins in a layback position. However, some perform variations on the upright backspin in which the free leg passes behind the skating leg and the skater bends at the knee. In rare cases, this position can be exaggerated to achieve a sitting spin.

Biellmann Spin
Limber skaters perform variations of the layback that involve catching the free foot and lifting it toward the head or over the head. The lift may be accomplished with one hand or both. When the free leg is lifted above the head with both hands creating a vertical split position the spin is known as a “Biellmann”, popularized by the 1981 Ladies’ World champion from Switzerland, Denise Biellmann.

Sideways Leaning Spin
While tilting sideways in the layback may be considered a fault, a spin which intentionally leans to the side can be an interesting addition to a limber skater’s program. The free leg is held to the side and the body arches above it with the arms usually stretched over the head, creating a sharp curve from the fingertips to the pointed toe of the free foot. An uncommon spin, it is usually performed forward and may be included in an innovative combination with a traditional layback.

Attitude Spin
The attitude spin combines the leg position of a layback with an upright posture. The arms may be positioned creatively or simply held to form a “V” above the shoulders.

Corkscrew Spin
The corkscrew is an upright spin, performed forward or backward. The skater places the free foot behind the knee of the skating leg. The skating knee bends slightly. By extending one arm over the head and crossing the other over the chest, the skater’s body appears to twist like a corkscrew as it rotates

Illusions
Illusions are generally performed from a backward spin, but have been also executed forward. As a backward spin, the skater swings the free leg forward and up then reaches down toward the ice with the hand on the skating side as the free leg swings to the back and upward. This combination of movements creates an illusion of the skater rotating like a pinwheel around her hips. A single illusion provides a dramatic finale to a spin combination. When performed in a series, sequential illusions resemble a windmill rotating about its axis. In the best illusions, the skater appears to invert completely as the free leg swings upward and the torso drops down to the skating leg. Much of the drama of the illusion is lost when skaters perform sequential illusions that do not achieve this exaggerated position. Instead, the skater seems to bob up and down like a rotating teeter-totter.

Miscellaneous Variations
Countless unnamed spins exist which are invented creative limber skaters and their coaches. As these spins gain recognition, they are often named after the first skater credited with performing the spin in competition. A well-known example is the Biellmann spin, popularized by the 1981 World Ladies’ Champion, Denise Biellmann of Switzerland. The Beilmann spin has become a staple element in ladies skating and has also been performed by male skaters. The move requires a very limber back and legs as well as superior spinning ability.

Traveling Spins
Usually skaters avoid traveling while spinning. Good spins are supposed to be centered. However, there are a couple of exceptions. These moves resemble spins because the skater rotates while traveling across the ice, but the fact that traveling is intentionally achieved separates these elements from traditional spins. Traveling spins may also be classified as footwork since the traveling motion is achieved through a series of turns, as shown in Figure 6. Notice the difference between the forward traveling spin tracing in Figure 6 and the tracing of a forward spin that travels unintentionally

Traveling Camel
True to its name, the traveling camel looks like a basic forward camel spin that moves in a wide arc across the ice. Rather than rotating on the LBI edge to create a centered camel spin, the skater performs sequential three turns while maintaining a camel position. The turns are as follows: LFO3, LBI3, LFO3, LBI3, etc. To achieve the traveling effect, the LBI3 is performed on the heel of the blade. The skater must lift the forward portion his blade completely off the ice in order to turn on the heel. Dropping back to the ice, the skater pushes forward on the blade to glide into the next LFO3 turn. Alternating LFO3 and LBI3 turns are performed to maintain the traveling camel.

Traveling camels may be performed alone or initiated from a series of stars (described below). An effective traveling camel culminates in a centered camel, flying camel or butterfly. In some cases, a traveling camel may emerge from a centered camel.

Stars Stars
are a series of toe-assisted three turns performed in a camel position that travel in a wide arc, almost linearly, across the ice. As the skater performs a LFO3, his torso dips downward and his free leg extends above the plane of the body. As he begins to pivot forward in the next turn, the toe pick of free foot touches the ice assisting in a LBI3 turn and propelling the skater forward. After pushing, the free leg swings upward again for the next LFO3 turn. The torso remains lowered throughout the series of turns to simulate a camel posture.

After completing several stars, the skater may omit the toe push and continue to cover the ice in a traveling camel. Other options include, centering a forward camel, jumping into a flying camel, performing a butterfly or Arabian cartwheel.

Traveling Backward Camel
The traveling backward camel is also a common move in artistic roller skating, though some ice skaters use it as a novel entrance to a centered backward camel. Like the basic traveling forward camel, the travel is achieved through a series of three-turns performed in a camel position, similar to the forward traveling spin tracing illustrated in Figure 6. For the counterclockwise skater the turns are RFI3, RBO3 and RFI3 into a backward camel. A longer sequence of turns may be used to exaggerate the traveling effect.

Upright turns may also be performed leading into a backward camel or other backward spin variation.

Hillary Spin
A Hillary Spin is a series of upright three-turns leading into a basic back spin. For a counterclockwise skater, the sequence includes RFI3, RBO3, RFI3, RBO3, etc. The number of turns in the sequence may vary as desired but must conclude with a RFI3 initiating a backspin. Usually, the turning pattern forms a large circle in the center of the rink before pulling a backward scratch spin.

Miscellaneous Traveling Spins
By performing the sequential three turns in an attractive upright position, skaters can become accustomed to the rhythm of a traveling spin. This exercise also results in mastery of an upright traveling spin variation, which can culminate in an attitude, layback or scratch spin.

Forward sit spins can also intentionally travel across the ice by performing the same series of three turns in a seated position. Similarly, skaters can achieve a traveling seated maneuver on both feet by squatting and executing a series of two-footed turns rocking from the front to heel of both blades. These moves are very unusual and are generally seen in professional or exhibition routines.

Spin Combinations
Spin combinations may be performed on one foot or involve a change of foot. One-foot combinations require only a change of position while change foot combinations require the skater to change feet while spinning. Variations of position are infinite. The difficulty of one foot and change foot combinations involves maintaining or increasing speed during the transitions. A solid combination also requires the skater to hold each position for several revolutions such that control over the position is demonstrated. Weak combinations are characterized by loss of speed and flow throughout the transitions and the skater barely achieving a position before switching to the next.

Certain combinations such as a back sit spin to a back camel (no change of foot) are difficult to complete because little opportunity exists to gain speed in the transition. The forward camel to forward sit spin (or scratch spin) are the first combinations most skaters learn because generating speed in the transition occurs readily as the body converts from an open position to a more tightly closed position around the rotational axis.

Spin combinations are generally named based on their components. Examples of combinations that involve a change of feet include the following: sit-change-sit (also known as a forward sit spin-change-back sit spin), camel-change-camel, and camel-change-sit. Abbreviated names imply the first spin is performed forward and the change involves a change of feet to a backward spin. Combinations that do not require a change of feet are named similarly as follows: forward camel-layback, back camel-back sit spin, forward camel-sit spin-scratch spin. The word “change” is omitted.

Other spin combinations require a jump to change feet. These will be discussed in the Flying Spin section.

Hamill Camel
A notable exception to this basic nomenclature system is a spin combination popularized by 1976 Olympic gold medallist, Dorothy Hamill. Her well-recognized spin combination is called a “Hamill Camel”. The Hamill Camel is usually initiated from a flying camel. After maintaining the back camel position for several revolutions, the skater bends slowly in knee without sacrificing the camel posture. Before the free leg can touch the ice, or after a slight tap, the skater flips over into a back sit spin.

sit spin
A spin on which the skater "crouches" close to the ice, with the skating leg bent and the other leg extended to the side. spiral Any move on which the skater glides along the ice on one skate, with the non-skating leg in the air to the rear.

spiral
Pair movement in which the man pirouettes as a pivot holding one of his partner's hands as she turns in a horizontal position with one blade on the ice and parallel to the ice.

spiral sequence
A series of spirals on which the skater traces a pattern over the ice. starting order The sequence in which skaters will compete, as determined by the draw.

step sequence
A series of steps done in rapid succession in time to the music.

stroking
A method of gaining speed, seemingly without effort, by pushing off the inside edges in alternation.

throw
A pairs skating move in which the male lifts his partner and throws her away from him. She continues the move with a mid-air spin, landing on one foot.

Pair movement where the man assists his partner in a jump.

toe loop
A jump, assisted by the toe pick, on which the skater takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same edge.

"You start with a forward three turn then transfer weight to the other foot picking with the opposite foot."

toe pick
Teeth at the front of each skate blade, often used to assist in jumps and spins.

toe rakes
Same as toe picks

toe wally
A toe loop on which the takeoff is from the back inside edge instead of the outside edge.

trace
The line formed by the skater's blade on the ice.

triple Axel
An Axel on which the skater performs 3 1/2 revolutions.

twist
In pairs skating, a spectacular move in which the male lifts and his throws his partner, then catches her on landing after she has performed a double or triple twist in the air.

Two-Foot Spins
Basic Two Foot Spin:
Basic two-foot spins are the first spins taught to beginning skaters. They are simply forward spins performed on two feet. These spins are rarely seen beyond the lowest competitive levels.

Crossed Leg Spin
While only beginners perform basic two-foot spins, crossed foot spins can be a dazzling part of an elite skater’s program because they are particularly difficult to perform well. As the name implies, the spin is performed on both feet with the legs crossed. The body weight must be centered over the outside edges of the rockers of both blades. Skaters enter the spin from a forward or backward one-foot spin crossing the free foot over the skating foot and placing it on the ice.

waltz
A simple jump, for beginners, in which takeoff is from the forward outside edge and the landing is on the back outside edge of the other foot, after a half revolution in the air.

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