How to Do a One-Foot Spin in Figure Skating

Once figure skaters have mastered the two-foot spins, they can tackle a one-foot spin. You can use this spin in competitions only after you have perfected your form and can perform the spins gracefully. Start practicing one-foot spins from a standing position and then advance to one-foot spins from a gliding position.

Instructions

1. Position yourself on the ice standing on one skate. Your body weight should be centered over your standing leg.

2. Bring one arm out in front of your torso and bring the other arm straight out to the side. If you are standing on your left leg, your left arm must be out in front. If you are standing on your right leg, your right arm must be out in front.

3. Keep your back and neck straight as you swing your sideways extended arm into your chest and your free leg in against your standing leg. Your free leg should be bent and the blade of the skate should be parallel to the calf of your standing leg.

4. Join your hands together in front of your chest and begin to spin on your standing skate.

5. Release your free leg and open your arms to their starting positions to finish the spin.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are starting your spin from a standing position, your free skate point toward the ice and your toe pick touch the ice. Push off the ice with your toe pick to start your spin.

• If you are starting your spin from a gliding position, swing your extended arm into your chest and bring your free leg into your standing leg to start your spin.

• To perform a scratch spin, lift your free leg out in front of your body at the beginning of the spin. Cross your free leg over in front of your standing leg during the spin to speed your rotation.