Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna lead a spin class for less advanced skaters. Notice that Sheila starts off trying to gauge the level of understanding that the class has. She asks a few skaters to draw a good spin entrance on the ice. It’s very common that skaters don’t really know what they’re actually doing as you’ll see in the video. Sheila draws what should happen in a spin entrance. (The comment Nick makes about Jimmy Santee was some dry humor regarding a great deal of confusion about spin entrances published in the PS Magazine at about the time this video was recorded. Jimmy is the Executive Director of the PSA.) Notice the confusion the skaters have regarding what edge they’re actually on in a classic forward upright spin. (One skaters confidently shouts out “forward inside” and Sheila says, “How is that even possible?”) If you’re a coach, make sure your skaters know this stuff. It will help them. And if you’re a skater, make sure you understand what edges you use in your spins. Sheila asks, “Why do they call it a front scratch spin? (pause) I don’t know!” (I’ve never heard a reasonable explanation either. If you have an idea, please leave it in the comments below.) One thing is for sure, we’re confusing the heck out of our skaters by calling it a “front scratch” as many think it must be spinning forward. Uhg! Sheila talks about back spins and then opens another can of worms when she asks what part of the blade we spin on. If you listen closely, a number of skaters respond “the middle.” Uhg again! Sheila goes on to show the skaters what is meant by the ball of the foot. Sheila knows how to make it fun! About halfway through the video, Nick takes over and to talk about sit spin position. (Nick’s a pretty good artist on the ice!) Notice again how many of the skaters have an incorrect understanding of what a good sit spin position is. Nick takes a moment to discuss the rules for sit spin. It’s important that all skaters understand this. You’ll see a number of quality sit spins at this level at the end of the video.
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2 responses to “Figure Skating Spins: Intermediate Spins (Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna)”
Thanks Sheila and Nick! I appreciate all of your info!!
Interesting to hear your take on the sit spin position. In particular, I’m surprised at the assertion that you can’t go down too far. Some 25+ years ago, I was taught (or maybe permitted) to go all the way down and essentially sit on the rear of my skating ankle, with the skating leg fully folded and the free leg perfectly straight and turned out, its blade almost grazing the ice. As an adult I began to reconsider this position for 2 reasons–1) is it truly attractive, since it tends to produce a bend in the back and 2) is this good for the skating knee, since I’ve read so many warnings about avoiding bending the knee past 90 degrees. I’ve also admired some fine looking fast spins where the whole free leg is perfectly locked and parallel to the ice (the position many aim for before crouching into a cannonball). I gather you’re worried that this borderline position may be denied full sit credit. Personally, I find it a lot more challenging that my former all-the-way down habit. Nowadays I aim for something in between, with a straight back and locked free knee.