How to Do a One Foot Spin in Figure Skating

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Last Updated: December 17, 2024

A one-foot spin is a basic, upright figure skating spin on one foot. This spin is the basis for other more difficult upright spins, such as the scratch spin. There are multiple different entrances to this spin. The instructions below are for a counterclockwise spinner. If you spin clockwise, reverse all left/right directions throughout.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Two-Foot to One-Foot Spin

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Have your left arm in front of you and your right arm to your right. Keep your head up, and look to the left. Bend your left leg.
Keep your body stable. Feel the center of the spin. Begin to pull your arms into towards your left. Try to do only a few rotations on two feet, so you can have more rotations on one foot.

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Try bringing your right foot to different heights, from just above the ice to your knee. Do not drop your hip when you lift your leg. Fully bring your arms in to a crossed position.
When you are ready to end the spin, put your right foot down, and lift your left foot behind you. Skate on a backward edge with your right arm in front and left arm to the side.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Backwards Crossover Entrance

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If you are right footed, you will spin on your left foot, meaning you will start off your spin by doing right over left backwards crossovers. If you are left footed, you will spin using your right leg, so you will start off your spin from left over right backwards crossovers.
After your last crossover, instead of bringing your foot out from the crossover, leave it crossed and off the ice while keeping your other foot planted and leg bent.
For right footed skaters, this will be your left arm. For left footed skaters, this will be your right arm.
The tighter you are, the faster you go and the more rotations you'll get.
Once it hits the ice, push off backwards with your left foot (if you are a right footed skater) or your right foot (if you are a left footed skater) bring the leg you were spinning on up behind you, as if you are doing a backwards spiral on an inside edge.

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Tips

Make sure you stretch before every skating session.

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Helpful 20 Not Helpful 3
Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you look behind you when doing the backwards crossovers, for it is easy to accidentally hit someone. Only spin on open, smooth ice.

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Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
Find your center before raising your free leg or stepping into your spin. An off-center spin will not perform well.

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