In this short video clip Audrey Weisiger shows how to help skaters that are having a hard time getting to a back outside edge when learning a backspin. This continues to be problem for even surprisingly advanced skaters. It is not uncommon to see skaters working on double jumps that cannot perform a backspin on the back outside edge. In many cases the skater starts on a forward inside and eventually switches to a back outside. As coaches, our goal should be to help our skaters get to the back outside edge immediately. Audrey provides some tricks you can use to help develop this skill.
Notice Audrey’s upper body position as she does these drills. She does not discuss it in the video but her arms are checked against the rotation to avoid losing control of the free side.
Audrey is an Olympic coach and we are very lucky to have her contributions to iCoachSkating.com. Please leave a comment for Audrey or other members below.
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4 responses to “Figure Skating Back Spin Tips – Outside Edge (Audrey Weisiger)”
So simple! Great for those beginning their back spin and correcting those who have been skating for years.
That is a great tip! I will try it with my skaters who are having trouble getting their weight on the right part of the blade. Thank you
Yeah, I’ve been teaching the back spin that way for years and it works. I don’t have any students spinning on the wrong edge (on the heel) in the back spin.
YAY! Such a simple exercise and I am using it tomorrow!! Teaching the backspin has always been difficult for me and I have so many different ideas from different coaches. I love the simplicity! Thanks Audrey!!!