Learn figure skating
upright spins.

Before trying to spin, learn how to create speed with the pivot. The pivot uses the front-wheel and EDGE pick position while the other foot pushes around you.

The pushing leg travels around you to create the rotation. Practice the pushing action by itself until you can continue around without losing your balance.

Keep the arms wide while you push around. When you are ready to turn the pivot into the spin, bring the arms in with the movement.

Keep the weight centered through the pivot. Do not lean forward as you push around. The aim is to feel balanced, safe and in control before bringing the spin inward.

As you move from the pivot into the spin, bring the arms and pushing leg inward together. Make the transition one connected action rather than pulling different parts of the body in at different times.

As you bring the spin in, stand up tall. Do not drop downward into the rotation. A tall, controlled position makes it easier to understand where your balance is.

If you choose a point where you want to spin, do not skate directly toward it and then try to rotate. Travel around toward the point so the entry itself creates the rotation.

The right arm and right leg work as one unit through the entry. When they travel around together, they help create the power for the spin. If they separate, the movement becomes disconnected.

Spins on inline figure skates need momentum. Do not try to manufacture the rotation only after you arrive in the spinning position. Build the power before you get there.

Once the entry brings you into the rotation, bring the free-leg knee up into the upright position in one controlled action rather than slowly searching for the position.

Open from the left-foot spin and push onto the right foot into the landing position. Hold the position under control rather than simply stepping out of the rotation.

The lighter you press on the EDGE pick, the faster and longer the spin can continue. Balance the pressure rather than pressing heavily into the floor.

The right arm and right leg stay connected through the entry. They travel around together into the first spinning position rather than separating and losing the momentum.

Do not lift the free leg higher than your balance allows. Find a position you can hold first. A higher position is not useful if it immediately pulls you out of the spin.

Enter the spin and stay in the opening position until the rotation naturally slows. Learn to control that position before bringing the body further into the Scratch Spin.

The body stays supported while the left skate leans slightly inward. As the spin rotates, the front wheel travels backward in a small loop. Keep the movement small and controlled rather than leaning the body into the circle.

Open from the spin and push out from the left foot onto the right foot into the landing position. Stay on the center two wheels and use a slight arch through the lower back to keep your body supported over the skate rather than falling forward onto the EDGE pick.

A back spin can feel scary at first because the free foot is no longer sitting in the position that normally makes you feel safe. Remember that you can simply put the foot down and step out.

Do not begin by chasing multiple rotations. Enter the position, complete only a quarter or half rotation and step out. Repeat until the position begins to feel familiar.

A regular spin on the left foot has the skating foot slightly to the inside as the rear wheel travels backward in a small loop. In the back spin, the skating foot is on the outside and travels around the opposite way.

Because the back spin is working on the outside edge, the skating foot will sit slightly to that side in the spinning position. Learn that feeling before trying to increase the number of rotations.

You need a little back-pivot action to help create the rotation, but do not make it a large push around. Too much movement into the entry can pull you away from the balance needed for the spin.

Once the entry and outside-edge position feel controlled, increase the rotation little by little. Do not skip the stage where you can comfortably enter, rotate and step out.

Begin with the first Scratch Spin position, then move into the second position before starting the change. Do not rush directly from the entry into the second foot.

The pivot needs to create power without becoming a large visible push around the floor. Keep the movement small enough to remain controlled while still generating momentum.

Keep the changing foot underneath you. If you step too wide, your balance moves away from the position you need for the back spin.

This is where the power comes from. Bend into the change, rise, allow the pivot to travel around and then pull upward into the back spin.

You should be able to create the second spin with very little starting momentum. Practice the change and back spin on their own so you understand exactly where the power comes from.

Stay on the right foot as you exit the back spin. Lift the left leg and push it backward into the landing position while staying on the center two wheels. Keep your shoulders aligned over the center two wheels rather than leaning forward onto the EDGE pick.