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Bobbe Shire
talks about the theory and practice of change foot spins, and focuses on
sit-change-sit. This is an awesome video with tons of great
information. The mechanics of change foot spins are misunderstood by a
huge percentage of coaches and skaters. You can see this at nearly every
rink and competition where skaters change feet by putting the free foot down
right next to the skating foot without changing positions at all or getting any
kind of "push."
Bobbe starts this video by sharing an observation that is utterly brilliant.
She says "Any time you change position...or any time you change feet,
everything you need for the hook, you need again. You need a new
axis...and you definitely need a new George as the old one is dying out and you
need to stay down in the knee and open for one full turn."
Aside: Admittedly it can be difficult to create a new hook when changing
from some positions to others without changing feet but it's a good goal and if
you use Bobbe's approach, your spinners can really excel! More on this in
upcoming videos.
Bobbe's explanation of the need to re-create the hook to get more "fat George"
is really valuable. Most coaches describe it as "pushing into" the second
spin but that often causes loss of axis and center. Although "pushing
into" the spin is a valid description, it's less accurate than "re-creating the
hook" which skaters often find easier to understand and apply.
To recreate the hook on a sit-change-sit (and all forward to back spins), Bobbe says:
1. Take the free shoulder and arm back (you
need the twist)
2. Keep the free leg up and start the free
leg pushing (starts creating width between feet)
so it
starts moving away from the spin center (Bobbe: "pulling away")
3. Push for half a circle before putting
the other skate down (still in twist) directly in the
center
of the original spin
4. When toe/knee/belly button are lined up,
the new free foot comes off the ice at 9 o'clock
5. Wait a moment and turn the new skating
hip under the free hip
Bobbe then shows how she has her skaters learn this using an open upright spin.
She goes through the drill in detail and has one of her skaters demonstrate it.
If it's done right, you get the back spin right on top of the forward spin.
Another way to explain it is increasing the diameter of the spin on the ice
which the skater pushes against. By not stepping down right away the
skater is forced to create more "fat George" by pressing down and controlling
the edge on the wider diameter spin circles that the skate makes on the ice.
Once the circle is wide enough the skater can easily step down in the center of
the old spin.
Leave Bobbe a comment for her willingness to share this great information.
Please rate this content and leave a comment
for Bobbe or other members below.
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