Bobbe Shire
Bobbe Shire was a coach for over 45 years and was one of the most sought after spin specialists in the world. She worked with a number of National, World and Olympic competitors to perfect their spinning technique. Bobbe held PSA Master Ratings in both figures and freestyle and presented at numerous USFSA and PSA conferences and training camps throughout the country. Some of Bobbe’s well known clients include Sarah and Emily Hughes and Johnny Weir.
Bobbe taught at the Garden Ice House near Laurel, Maryland, along with surrounding rinks in the area, as well as Delaware. By specializing in spins, she developed novel teaching methods that helped her students understand and execute proper spinning techniques. As a specialist, Bobbe and her students constantly pushed the envelope in terms of creativity, technical ability, and skill development.
Our sport unfortunately lost Bobbe in 2017, but we continue her legacy by keeping her videos on the site in hopes that her wisdom continues to assist future skaters and coaches.
Most recent videos at the top…
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Fixing a Flying Sit Spin Take-Off and Tuck (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares insights about how to fix a flying sit spin that spins too much at take-off so the skater cannot get proper lift. It is very common for skaters to either create too much rotation on the entrance edge or too little. In this case, the skater is creating …Continue reading →
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Increasing Layback Speed and Side Layback Tips (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of the layback spin. During the first part of this video, Bobbe talks at length about how to make a layback spin faster or spin longer. She talks about arm and body and leg positions and their relationship to George. As a reminder, George is the …Continue reading →
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Important Spinning Advice (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares some thoughts about spin training. To start the video, she finishes up a discussion of the backspin layback she covered here. She suggests using a running 3-turn sequence to get into the spin. The free leg should be in the attitude position throughout the entry. The real value …Continue reading →
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Layback Tips, Backspin Layback (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire offers insights about the layback spin and also explains the tricks for learning a layback backspin. One important tip for a forward layback or a backspin layback is to stop the free leg from coming in front, and leave it to the side before letting it draw back into …Continue reading →
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Fun With Advanced Layback Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about using the layback spin to maximize IJS points and simply to have fun with. At the beginning, Bobbe discusses trying to get a level 4 call for a layback as a spin in one position with a change of foot. Before beginning, Bobbe discusses the importance of …Continue reading →
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Tips for Change Edge Camel Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches a change edge camel. She begins by teaching the change edge using a forward upright spin. She explains that the hook on the original forward spin entry has a three turn, and the change of edge is also a three turn. In the forward upright, …Continue reading →
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Why Do Spins Slow Down? (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about spin speed, and she offers insights about why a spin might slow down. This is one of the most common issues in skating as many skaters can generate a fast spin, but they slow down quickly. Bobbe says, “The main thing I really think is that the …Continue reading →
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Sit Spin Tips and Observations (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses some aspects of the sit spin, both forward sit spin and back sit spin. At the beginning of the video, she notes that skaters that make progress quickly on the sit spin are those that are willing to fall on it. As she says, “I don’t know anybody …Continue reading →
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Trick to Get Backspin Spinning Backward (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares a valuable tip on how to help skaters who are struggling to learn a correct backspin (blade gliding backward in spin). This can be incredibly frustrating for the skater and the coach. Initially Bobbe talks about the entry she uses for the backspin, to build consistency and confidence. Then …Continue reading →
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Powerful Transitions in Change Foot Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the push into a backspin from a forward spin during a change foot spin. She reminds us, “Anytime you change position on a spin or anytime you change feet, everything you need for the hook you need again. You need a new axis for the new position or …Continue reading →
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All About Sit Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of spin basics. In the first video of this series, she shared a repeatable spin setup and entrance to maximize rotational energy while giving the skater the greatest possible chance for centering consistently. In the second video, she reiterated that she goes back to these basics whenever …Continue reading →
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How to Center a Spin, Sit Spin Basics (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of spin basics. In the previous video, she shared a repeatable spin setup and entrance to maximize rotational energy while giving the skater the greatest possible chance for centering consistently. In this video, she reiterates that she goes back to these basics whenever her skaters are having …Continue reading →
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Spinning Basics & Forward Upright Scratch Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire reviews her foundational spin concepts and explains the challenges of the forward scratch spin. After a brief introduction, Bobbe talks about how she uses a 5-step system to teach spins. She says, “All you have to learn are 5 things and 1 rule… and two words, and then you know …Continue reading →
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Shoulder Flexibility for Some Catch Foot Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire shares some helpful information related to testing for shoulder flexibility for Biellmann spins, haircutters, and donut spins. It’s a little hard to see in the video what Bobbe is talking about when she says “see if they can pop the elbow through.” But the idea is simply to catch the …Continue reading →
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Teaching Methods and Learning Methods (Bobbe Shire)
In this video, figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses teaching and learning methods in the context of skaters trying jumps within spins. In particular, Bobbe has her demonstrators attempt forward sit, jump into back sit. Notice that initially she provides no instruction so the skaters need to try to figure it out themselves. After …Continue reading →
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Back Camel, Jump to Forward Sit Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire teaches 3 skaters the back camel, jump to forward sit spin. None of the skaters had attempted this before this lesson so you get to see the typical learning process. Bobbe calls the jump between the spins a “hitch kick” (back camel, hitch kick to forward sit). She begins …Continue reading →
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Jumps Within Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches the camel spin jump into flying sit spin combination. A jump within a spin can add an IJS level to a spin and Bobbe shares her favorite way of taking advantage of this rule. For the camel into flying sit, she tells her skaters “the …Continue reading →
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Strategy for Maximizing IJS Spin Points (Bobbe Shire)
In this video, figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire offers many insights for maximizing IJS points for spins. This is a long video with lots of ideas. The specific rules and point values may have changed by the time you are reading this and watching this video. The video was recorded in December 2013 but …Continue reading →
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Back Camel Spin – Part 3 – Running Three Turn Entry (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her description of the back camel. In Part 1, she talked at length about the back camel spin entrance and in Part 2 she discussed the back camel position in detail. In this video, she talks about the running three-turn entrance to the back camel. According to Bobbe, …Continue reading →
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Back Camel Spin – Part 2 (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her description of the back camel. In Part 1, she talked at length about the back camel spin entrance. In this video, she begins by working on the back camel position at the boards. Bobbe says, “A back camel needs a twist that a forward camel doesn’t need.” …Continue reading →
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Back Camel Entrance – Figure Skating Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches the back camel entrance. Right from the start, Bobbe notes that she does not like the common two foot entrance where the skater drags the free foot into the spin, even though it works well. (If a skater already has that entrance and it works …Continue reading →
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Bounces and Illusions More Details – Part 2 (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her discussion of bounces and illusions. She introduced these spins in Part 1 and offers more details here, focused primarily on common problems. First Bobbe discusses the common error she calls “jack knifing” where the skater’s timing is off and the body and leg both drop at the same time. …Continue reading →
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Bounce Spin – Not an Illusion Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches what she calls “bounces.” She notes that this falls under the “windmill spin” family in IJS language. But she also notes that bounces are not the same as an illusion spin. She explains the difference between bounces and an illusion. An illusion is performed from a backspin …Continue reading →
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How to Spin Fast – Figure Skating Spin Speed (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire answers the age-old question about “how to spin fast.” This is one of the most common questions we receive here at iCoachSkating.com, especially by adult skaters and young coaches. Right off the bat, Bobbe notes that spin speed is generated by pushing strongly into the spin and having a good “hook.” …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Spins – Sit Spin Differences and Clam (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the sit spin and the sit spin variation she calls the clam (sit back on forward foot). On the clam she likes to have the skaters turn their heads to the side because it helps keep the skaters head flat and the hips lower and it elongates the “line” …Continue reading →
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Corkscrew Spin, Spaghetti Spin – Figure Skating Spins (Bobbe Shire)
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the corkscrew spin, which she likes to call the spaghetti spin. This is somewhat similar to the crossfoot spin but unlike the crossfoot, the skater is only spinning on one foot in the corkscrew. Most really good corkscrew spins are done in the sit position with the free leg …Continue reading →
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Crossfoot Spin – Figure Skating Spins – Part 2 (Bobbe Shire)
In this figure skating video, spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her explanation of how she teaches a crossfoot spin. In the first video (Part 1), Bobbe explained why the crossfoot spin is important and how she prefers to develop it. In this video, she shows how to get into the spin from a back entrance. …Continue reading →
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Crossfoot Spin – Figure Skating Spins – Part 1 (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches a crossfoot spin. This spin is generally misunderstood by skaters and coaches and few coaches know how to teach this spin properly. A crossfoot spin is a spin on two feet on two outside edges. (A regular two foot spin is typically performed on two …Continue reading →
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Learning to Spin – Some Clarifications on Spin Entries (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire goes into more details about a few things she mentioned in her previous video on spinning. Since the publication of Bobbe’s earliest videos on iCoachSkating.com, some subscribers have tried unsuccessfully to apply Bobbe’s method of stepping with the opposite hand in front to enter a spin. In this …Continue reading →
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Learning to Spin – Recent Changes (Bobbe Shire)
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire discusses how she has changed how she teaches spins since some of the earlier recordings on iCoachSkating.com. Several years have lapsed in real time between Bobbe’s earlier iCoachSkating.com videos and the new videos which begin with the video below. You can see Bobbe’s earliest videos by scrolling down her …Continue reading →
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IJS Spin Levels And Points (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses some of the issues surrounding maximizing IJS points for spins. She addresses this by discussing a few Level 4 spin examples by her skaters. Bobbe notes at the beginning how everyone is focused on having Level 4 spins. But she makes it clear that it is often better to sacrifice a spin …Continue reading →
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Flying Camel Spin Tips Video (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses the flying camel spin and comments on some demonstrations. As Bobbe notes at the beginning of the video, please review Audrey Weisiger’s Flying Camel video. This video is relatively short as Bobbe did not want to repeat all the information in Audrey’s video. First Bobbe explains how the flying camel is judged. …Continue reading →
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Camel Spin Variations And Upright Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire teaches variations on upright and camel spins. As Bobbe notes, these spins all require excellent flexibility. The spins discussed and demonstrated include the “Y-spin,” the “split-spin” or “Sasha Cohen spin,” the Biellmann spin, and the “donut” spin (which Bobbe calls the “bagel spin”). In the Y-spin, Bobbe discusses briefly how to grab the …Continue reading →
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Sit Spin Variations: With Twist (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses how to achieve the core change feature in the sit spin. She calls this a twisted sit spin. The video starts with two demonstrations and then Bobbe explains how to think about the core change to make it happen. Remember the core change must be significant, so Bobbe’s tips really help create …Continue reading →
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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. …Continue reading →
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Sit Spin Figure Skating Variations: Pancake (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses the details of a pancake sit spin feature. As Bobbe explains, this feature is not overly difficult to get as most reasonably flexible skaters can eventually get into the position. …Continue reading →
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Sit Spin Figure Skating Variations: Cannonball (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire shares some tips on learning the cannonball sit spin variation. According to Bobbe, the best cannonball position has the free leg completely parallel to the ice. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Camel Spin Tips: Outside Edge Change (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire offers some excellent tips for change edge camels. This is a continuation of her initial discussion of the change edge camel. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Sit Spin Variations: Edge Change (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses change of edge sit spins. (This is a continuation of Bobbe’s discussion of change edge upright spins and change edge camel spins.) …Continue reading →
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IJS Figure Skating Spins: Change Of Edge Camel Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire talks at length about change edge camel. As with all spins, Bobbe wants her skaters to spin at the ball of the foot, even for the forward outside edge. …Continue reading →
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IJS Figure Skating Spins: Change Of Edge Upright Spin (Bobbe Shire)
One of Bobbe’s main concepts for change of edge spins is revolutionary, but it is now growing in popularity. …Continue reading →
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Biellmann Spin Tip Figure Skating (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire offers her opinions and thoughts on teaching and learning the Biellmann spin. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Education: Camel-Sit Combination Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses two change of position spins on one foot, camel sit and back camel back sit. She starts with the camel sit because it is the most common. …Continue reading →
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Spinning In Figure Skating: 1 Foot Upright (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire explains her expectations for the forward upright scratch spin. …Continue reading →
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Layback Spin Technique Video: Features-Variations (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire discusses additional positions for the layback spin. Her demonstrator shows a version of the spin that can gain rotational speed as well as the haircutter. …Continue reading →
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Layback Spin Technique Video: Part 2 (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire continues her explanation of the layback spin. Make sure you watch Part 1 of the layback presentation here. …Continue reading →
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Layback Spin Technique Video: Part 1 (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire explains how she introduces the layback spin. Notice that Bobbe starts her presentation with a discussion of potential back injuries and how to prevent them. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Spins Video: Death Drop (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire shares her knowledge of the Death Drop. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Spins Video: Flying Sit Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire gives a thorough explanation of the flying sit spin. The flying sit has been a challenging spin for skaters and coaches for years. …Continue reading →
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Figure Skating Spins Video: Stars Spin (Bobbe Shire)
Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches “stars.” Stars is one of those spin entrances that’s been slowly disappearing. …Continue reading →