Sit Spin Figure Skating Variations: The Clam – Back Sit Position (Bobbe Shire)

Bobbe Shire continues after her explanation of the pancake spin with a spin she calls the clam or reverse pancake.  This video was shot before the more recent “sit front, sit side, sit back” terminology, but this spin would qualify as a “sit back.”

Bobbe notes that this spin is very similar to the pancake spin so make sure you watch that video first.  There are a few differences, and Bobbe offers two brilliant tips to help coaches and skaters with this spin.

First, when transitioning from one spin to the clam, Bobbe emphasizes that the skater needs to stay on their axis.  It’s very easy for skaters to drift away from the axis in the transition.  Bobbe notes that she does not transition to the clam from a back sit, mainly due to how it looks.

Second, to keep the skater’s butt down during the spin, Bobbe has the skater turn her head sideways into the direction she’s rotating.  She tells the skater to “go to sleep” on the free side and turn their head the way they’re spinning.

Finally, Bobbe has the skater grab and keep constant upward pressure on both the free foot and free knee throughout the spin to prevent the free knee from dropping down (and to keep the proper tension in the spin).  Bobbe says, “I tell them that it’s like doing curls on the gym.  You keep pressure up on both ends of that lever.”

The last bit of advice seem intuitive, but can be really helpful for skaters.  Bobbe says, “Just make yourself as small as you can and that gets the job done.”

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