Spins and Footwork Jumps
Forward Spin ( Corkscrew, Scratch )
A fast upright spin where circles are skated on the back inside edge.
The toe pick touches or slightly 'scratches' the ice.
Back Spin
Same rotation as a forward spin, but skated on the back outside edge on the opposite foot.
Most right-handed skaters rotate counterclockwise,
doing a forward spin on the left foot and a back spin on the right foot.
Layback Spin
A spin with a backward or sideways lean of the torso
The forward layback spin [skating a forward spin in the layback position] is the most common variation.
Also done as a back spin in the layback position.
Camel Spin
A forward spin in the 'T' shape position (ie. The torso and free leg in a horizontal position).
Flying Camel Spin
A flying camel is a back spin in the camel position entered from a forward takeoff jump similar to an axel.
It was originally called the Button Camel after its inventor Olympic Champion, Dick Button
Illusion ( Windmill )
This looks like a camel spin but with a variation wherein the skater's torso and free leg move up and down while spinning
Invented (in error) by German and World Champion, Gundi Busch.
She went off balance during a camel and continued to repeat the 'mistake'.
Biellman Spin
A spin where the skater arches the back and pulls the free leg high over the head.
Named after Denise Biellman
Death Drop
A flying spin similar to a flying camel, but where the skater immediately drops into a back sitspin.
Officially, this element is known as an 'open axel sit spin'.
Arabian ( Butterfly )
A jumping move similar to the entrance of a flying camel or death drop, but without the spin afterwards.
Usually done in a series of two or three in succession
Spiral
A skated edge where the free leg is extended and held higher than the hip.
A relatively easy move, but effective when done with good stretch and speed.
Spread Eagle
A movement skated on two feet with the toes pointing in opposite directions.
It can be done either on outside or inside edges.
Ina Bauer
A variation of the spread eagle variant where one knee is deeply bent and the other leg stretched behind the body.
Typically done with an arched back.
Invented by 3 time German Champion, Ina Bauer.
Cantilever
A spread eagle skated in a squatting position with knees bent and the torso leaning far back.
Invented by Werner Groebel ( Mr. Frick of the original 'Frick and Frack' ).
Mr. Frick was a long time Ice Follies' comedian.
Mohawk and Choctaw
These are two-foot turns ( front-to-back or back-to-front ).
A mohawk is done on from inside-to-inside or outside-to-outside edges.
A choctaw requires a change of edge ( inside-to-outside or outside-to-inside ).
Mohawks are commonly used in free skating as a simple turn or in step sequences,
but choctaws are more typically used in ice dancing.
Explanation of Curves used in executing skating turns
A natural rotation edge occurs when the body preparation and the edge go with the circle (eg. a 3 turn)
A counter rotation edge occurs when the body preparation and the edge go against the natural rotation of the circle.
A change of edge (or Sepentine ) occurs when changing direction
from one curve ( circle ) to another curve ( circle ).
3 Turn
A common one foot turn done on a curve with the cusp of the turn pointing inward.
The 3 turn consists of two natural rotation edges - one in and one out of the turn.
The tracing on the ice resembles the number 3.
Counter
A counter is a turn consisting of an difficult counter rotation edge combined with the easy, natural rotation edge. A counter occurs when the skater takes a counter edge going into the turn and takes a natural edge out of the turn.
( ie. In a counter the skater's long curve in allows time to prepare for the difficult counter edge )
Rocker
A rocker occurs when the skater takes a natural edge going into the turn and takes the more difficult counter edge out of the turn.
The rocker is more difficult to execute than a counter because the skater must skate a counter edge without preparation
(ie. In a rocker the skater's long curve in allows time to prepare for the natural rotation, but no time to prepare for the difficult counter rotation to complete the turn).