54. Spins: Back Scratch Spin

We're Xenia and Oleg, four-time U.S. national competitors with goals to make Team USA and represent the U.S. at international competitions. We'll share with you what we learned along the way, so let's make this journey together. Hi everyone, you're skating out. What are we showing them today, Xenia? We will show you how to do basic spins. When doing a spin, you have to have a lot of control in your core, legs, and arms. You have to feel tension through your arms and free leg. Tension and control are vital in spins. If you are loose in your body, it will make your spin travel. When doing the backstretch spin, you enter from a forward inside three-turn. If you turn your three-turn too soon, your spin will travel. However, don't wait too long and force the three-turn. Instead, you should feel your skate going for the turn at the end of your entry edge, then rise and turn. Check your hips so that your free leg is to the side and not in front. Don't stick your hips out. You spin over the rocker of your skate, the part that corresponds to where your toes join your foot, the ball of your foot. Don't rock on your blade. Establish your spin. Don't pull your free leg or arms in right away. You should be centered and spinning before you bring your arms and free leg in. Keep your shoulders and hips square. That is, don't twist your upper body around your hips. Once you feel that you have stabilized your spin, slowly bring your arms and free leg in. Common mistakes of the backstretch spin are leaning back, dropping a hip in, dropping a shoulder in, and sticking the hips out. Remember, control and tension are vital in a spin. Hey guys, we really hope you enjoyed the video. If you did, hit the like button and click on the subscribe to subscribe for more videos. Alright, see you next time!