Figure Skating Spin: Butterfly Entrance (Charyl Brusch)

Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she introduces the butterfly spin entrance.  Many coaches don’t teach this spin entrance at all as it is challenging to get the correct positions and timing.  Charyl and her demonstrators do a nice job of helping clear up the confusion.

Although not directly related to the butterfly, Charyl begins this video explaining how she begins every spin lesson or spin practice session with basic spins to warm-up and develop a good center.  Becoming a great spinner usually demands dedication and focus on spinning, and warm-up spins are as important as warm-up jumps.

Charyl shows an important drill at the wall for skaters first learning the butterfly.  Notice the focus on the body movement first.  Charyl explains that it’s critical that the skater keep both legs behind them (“both legs in back”).  She notes that the legs should not “go around” because that makes the butterfly more like a flying camel. The demonstrators show a breakdown of how the drill is learned and practiced.  Charyl starts with lifting just one leg to get the proper feeling of lifting.  After they’ve mastered the first leg, then she adds the second leg, which really adds power to the butterfly.

Charyl breaks the wall drill down further and shows it in more detail with the second demonstrator.  Notice the focus on body twist from the core and the need to be on bent legs!  She offers additional insights before moving away from the way exercise.

Next Charyl works on the entrance.  She teaches this initially without a jump.  Notice the similarity with the exercise at the wall.  Finally, Charyl progresses to the full butterfly take-off.  Charyl explains the desired timing and motion of the body.  Both demonstrators have not yet mastered the element but provide valuable “errors” for all of us to learn from.

We are very fortunate to have a spin specialist of Charyl’s caliber as a presenter at  iCoachSkating.com.  Please rate this content and leave a comment for Charyl or other members below.

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