Biellmann Spin Tip Figure Skating (Bobbe Shire)

Bobbe Shire offers her opinions and thoughts on teaching and learning the Biellmann spin.  Bobbe starts off by admitting that the Biellmann spin is not for everyone, as it can be a difficult position to get into and not everyone is physically able to do them.  Her preferred entry is from a layback, or at least from a pretty attitude spin.

“The rule on a Biellmann is that your free leg has to be up above the center of your head.  If you have your free leg back behind you, they won’t give you that feature.”  Bobbe doesn’t care if both hands are on the blade or one hand is on the blade and the other is on the wrist. In order to get the foot above the head to get credit for the spin, Bobbe emphasizes that the skater needs to “stretch up.  It’s important that you get the tension between the torso and your leg even.”  She wants the skaters to make themselves as tall as they can when they reach the apex of the spin.

Bobbe offers a priceless tip at 1:46 to help the skater do this. By attempting to “push the free leg as straight as you can,” the skater will more fully stretch into the final position.  This is much more effective than simply trying to pull the leg up with arm strength alone. Bobbe describes the most graceful way to grab the blade to bring it over the skater’s head.  These tips again are can be very helpful.  The skater should have palm up when reaching for the blade, and the skater needs to pop the elbow forward as they start pulling the skate upward.  Some skaters might run into shoulder flexibility issues, which she says should be addressed with off-ice training. She finishes the video with an easy little trick she uses with her skaters to help them get credit for having the foot over the middle of the head.

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