iCoachSkating.com - Bobbe Shire - Spinning In 5 Steps

Bobbe Shire - Spinning In 5 Steps

Bobbe Shire explains and demonstrates her basic philosophy of spinning. In this video she shares her 5 Step Approach to Spinning. As Bobbe says, each step has a name and the important things to remember about it.

The 5 steps are:
     1. Presentation Edge
              a. Let edge get small (Bobbe calls this the "Curlicue")
     2. Push Onto Spinning Foot
              a. Twist
              b. Opposite hand leads
              c. Push "into" circle
              d. Let the edge run
     3. The Hook (most important part of any spin - where we get force and center)
              a. Axis (toe, knee, belly button)
              b. 3 Hinges (instep, knee, hip)
              c. Everything as far from axis as possible! (You get "Fat George" here...)
              d. Stay down in your knee and open for one revolution
     4. Spin
              a. Center
              b. Line
              c. Speed (squeeze George)
     5. Exit
              a. Always exit with style
              b. Big push

This method is an excellent systematic approach to teaching spins. In this video, you'll also be exposed to some of Bobbe's terminology and concepts that have helped make her one of the most sought after spin coaches in the world. There's tons of great information packed into this video. Enjoy!

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Bobbe is an Olympic spin coach and we are very lucky to have her contributions to iCoachSkating.com. Please rate this content and leave a comment for Bobbe or other members below.

Last Updated: Mar 26, 2009 at 1:11 PM
-- Current Rating: 4.76 of 5

» [- Mar 26, 2009 at 8:03 PM -] Nancy says: Thank you Bobbe!! This is great information. I love the steps. It IS so simple. Thank you for sharing your expertise and your time!

» [- Mar 27, 2009 at 7:31 AM -] srswift says: I love the break down into progressions. Can't wait to try it out with my strugglers. Thank you!!

» [- Mar 30, 2009 at 1:29 PM -] Paula Trujillo says: Great presentation! thank you Bobbie!

» [- Mar 30, 2009 at 6:59 PM -] Laura says: I was able to use the steps today and they are great!!! My kids loved how "simple" it made their spins feel. I really like how the steps give unison to spins, I feel they give beginner skaters more confidence when trying new spins. Thank you Bobbe and Welcome!!!

» [- Apr 3, 2009 at 1:36 AM -] Lisha says: I love "Fat George". I know I'm going to have insomnia until I can come up with a good Hebrew translation that sounds as cute. :) That spot where you showed the hinges and extension was really helpful. I have some adult skaters that are trying to get spins and I've had a lot of trouble with both of them getting their axis straight and solid from entrance through execution. Maybe this will help.

» [- Apr 3, 2009 at 7:36 PM -] Sheila Thelen says: Bobbe! LOVE IT! Fat George is going to the ice arena - with me! Great, great tips! THANKS!

» [- Apr 12, 2009 at 4:34 AM -] sharon maree upton says: proving that the breaking down of manouvres into small components and making they are all the right cut before you stitch it all together works thanks

» [- Apr 22, 2009 at 10:48 PM -] Faye Kitariev says: Bobbie! Gr8 presentation! And you explain everything so crystal clear, a baby will understand. Beautiful! Thank you so much! I miss you you and Denise a lot. "Hi" to the girls. Faye

» [- Apr 22, 2009 at 10:59 PM -] Faye Kitariev says: I have send a comment a moment ago, but didn't hit "rate" button, I think. I've noticed, that they usually set on 3. This video is 5!!! If I have send "3" it was an accident, pls, change it to "5". Thank you.

» [- Apr 30, 2009 at 7:23 PM -] Dawn says: Excellent instruction and skater examples! Will be sharing these techniques at the rink next week.

» [- Apr 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM -] Nathalie says: I teach "same hand leads' instead of the opposite, I might give "opposite hand" method a try with one of my skater who seems to have trouble controling her arms. Great step by step tutorial.

» [- Aug 20, 2009 at 11:32 PM -] Daphne Solis says: Nice explanation. The entrance off of a backcrossover is so mystical to some skaters so I really like the idea of using the line first. I'm beginning to wonder....."hmmmmm, why didn't I think of that?" I agree that the less movement on the prep the better. I often have my skaters visualize the *big*, *huge* door on the giant's castle from Jack and the Beanstalk. Emphasis on BIG and HUGE. I explain to them that they need to push the door open w/ only their opposite arm (left arm for left rotating skaters) when they enter the spin. I usually have them begin at a stand still, extend their arm, then press against my hand in order to bring their arm around with the outside entrance edge. I press back in order to not let their arm 'whip' around and to give them a "feeling" of what pushing the big, huge door would be like. This, along w/ the GREAT tips from Bobbe, helps my skaters get a little extra 'umph' in their spins. Thanks so much for this video!

» [- Dec 31, 2009 at 7:30 AM -] Debbie says: Great examples..very clear...I use different words ,but same ideas. Thanks

» [- Dec 31, 2009 at 8:11 AM -] Anne A says: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I love getting others tips and terminology because sometimes it takes a different perspective to get it through! I will start with these tomorrow!

» [- Dec 31, 2009 at 8:22 AM -] Amanda says: Wonderful! This confirmed a lot of my teaching style when it comes to spins.

» [- Jan 1, 2010 at 12:05 PM -] Dobrila says: This is soo great.

» [- Jan 3, 2010 at 8:25 AM -] Stewart Feinstein says: Not bad Bobbe - nice to hear a coach explain things well. I coach left arm in front, but understand opposite and that works for me too. However if you coach left arm in front and the student has a great whip with the free leg and the hook of the spin is approximately half a heart shape then it will produce a much faster spin!!! Also I am a very strong believer in a relaxed spinning knee and free heel down on a scratch spin - it all helps to "Blur" the spin. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you explain though as I dont see any good spin technique taught in my country. Kind regards - Stewart - Ice Skating Coach UK

» [- Jan 3, 2010 at 7:44 PM -] Lynn says: Thank you. I am an adult skater and have struggled with spinning and will try your techniques. My coach sent me this video.

» [- Jan 10, 2010 at 10:25 PM -] Mark says: Thanks for your great video Bobbe! Super helpful info! I thought the opposite hand in front seemed too weird, but when I tried it today it was just great. It was very smooth to, upon hooking, just bring the free leg up under an already positioned hand and arm. And the curlicue entry is really helpful too; it really makes the entry step a lot better. Thanks again for your contribution I really appreciated it!

» [- Feb 2, 2010 at 2:50 AM -] Dan says: I have tried this technique and it has worked great ever since with all my skaters. I feel that they spin much faster and are always centered. Thanks Bobbie

» [- Aug 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM -] Geoff says: I really appreciate this advice and can't wait to give it a whirl! My spin - which had been pretty good a couple of years ago, has deserted me and really brought me down. Thanks again. Geoff. ~:o)

» [- Jan 29, 2011 at 12:38 PM -] K Clarke says: As I always have trouble working out the preparation for the spin it was great to see it broken down into steps so you could see what was happening at each stage. Very helpful and something to refer back to when needed.