How to Do a Sit Spin (on Ice)

Prepare for the spin. You can do this with either backward crossovers or an inside three-turn. Crossovers: perform one or two backward crossovers in a clockwise direction. Keep your knees bent. Your left arm will be behind you and your right arm in front. On the second crossover, keep your left leg crossed under the right ( but lift the foot off the ice), switch your arms, and hold the right backward inside edge. Three-turn: perform a right inside three turn (which is clockwise), then hold the right backward inside edge. If you’re a lefty, switch the directions and limbs. For the crossover prep you’ll do backward crossovers counter clockwise and start with your left arm in front. For the three-turn you’ll do a left inside three-turn (which is counterclockwise). You will hold the left backward inside edge before spinning.

Step into the spin on a right outside edge. Imaging the crossovers/three turn has drawn a “circle” on the ice. Push inside that circle as you step into the spin and whip your left arm out to the side. Keep your left knee bent and your right leg straight. Turn out the right leg. You will begin spinning counterclockwise. Lefties: push into the circle with a right outside edge and whip your right arm out to the side. Keep the skating leg bent. You will rotate clockwise.

Snap into the sit spin position. Keeping your free leg turned out and leading with the heel, pull your legs together so that the thighs and knees and tightly locked together. At the same time, the right arm (left arm if you’re a lefty) will snap to the other arm so that the hands are stacked on top of each other straight out in front of you. Keep this arm in sync with the free leg. Don’t bend your arms. This snap is essential for holding the sit spin. Be aggressive with it.

Keep your balance. Bend your ankle, your knee, and lean a little forward over the skating leg. Shift your weight over the ball of your foot. Point your toes.

Tighten your muscles. Use your core to give the spin control and keep your balance. Squeeze the thighs together to maintain the spin position. Focus especially on the free leg to keep it from dipping too low.

Hold this position for as long as you can. A sit spin with 3-4 rotations is considered passing for lower level skaters. A skater at the highest level (senior) must do at least six. Bend your knee more if possible. Go as low as you can. Your free leg must be parallel to the ice to receive a good score.

Stand up from the spin by straightening the skating leg, pulling the free leg into a scratch spin or one foot spin position, and bringing your arms to your chest.

Check out. Remember to look up, keep your shoulders back, your free leg extended, and your arms straight. Don’t feel bad if you fell or messed up. A sit spin may take a few months to perfect. Just use a minute to catch your breath and stop feeling dizzy, then try again.