Purpose: Skaters should practice holding their star position--the snap position they hit after their spin entry-- in a spin before moving into their H position because the star position is key to having centered spin. Practicing this on a spinner helps skaters also feel where the weight should be...

Purpose: The star position is the snap position after an upright spin entry edge and hook. It comes before the traditional H position. Having good alignment on the star position is crucial for a centered spin, even more so than the H position, so this drill helps skaters practice holding the posi...

Level: Foundation
Base exercise: Forward scratch spin
Variation: None
Purpose: Doing spins off ice using a spinner is a great way for students to practice their balance, centering, and confidence. Using a spinner can often be more difficult than on the ice because the skater has to keep their axi...

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Spinner forward upright spin entry 1/2 turns
Purpose: Skaters should practice the entry position for each spin in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 turn progressions. This ensures that the skater has good alignment and balance on the spinner in that entry position before having th...

Purpose: Skaters should practice their star position--the snap position they hit after their spin entry--before moving into their H position because the star position is key to having centered spin. Practicing this on a spinner helps skaters also feel where the weight should be in the blade (towa...

Purpose: Skaters should practice holding their star position--the snap position they hit after their spin entry-- in a spin before moving into their H position because the star position is key to having centered spin. Practicing this on a spinner helps skaters also feel where the weight should be...

Level: Beginner
Base exercise: Forward upright spin entry
Variation: 1/4 turns
Purpose: Skaters should start practicing spins on their spinner by 1/4 turn progressions. By working through the 1/4 turn progressions, they will be able to make sure their axis and alignment is correct before trying a...

Level: Foundation
Base exercise: Forward/Backward upright spin star position hold
Variation: On spinner
Purpose: Skaters should practice their star position--the snap position they hit after their spin entry--before moving into their H position because the star position is key to having centered...

Level: Beginner
Base exercise: Forward upright spin
Variation: Forward inside three turn step forward entrance
Purpose: Practicing different entrances into spins is a good skill for skaters to learn as they can be more versatile and flexible when putting together program choreography
Focus: Entr...

Level: Beginner
Base exercise: Forward Upright Spin
Variation: From standstill, arms above the head during cross position
Purpose: Skaters should work on their forward upright or scratch spin from a standstill first to gain confidence and body awareness on the entry. Once they have gained more co...

Purpose: Learn how to not switch edges on a forward inside three turn backspin entrance to improve your back spin alignment and centering

Focus: Back spin entrance, back spin entry, back spin hoook, basic technique, edge quality, edge increase, forward inside three turn, upper body position

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Backward upright spin entry to H position 1/2 turn check on spinner
Purpose: This drill helps skaters practice their entry hook into a H position with less speed and rotation. By doing only one turn and having to check out afterwards, skaters have to pay extra attentio...

Purpose: Skaters can use this drill to practice balancing in their h position for their backspin. It is also helpful for loop take-offs and jump landings as well.

Focus: Basic technique, axis, alignment, balance, upper body position

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Upright spin h position to cross position repetitions on spinner
Purpose: When skaters move from the H position to the cross position on an upright spin, they need to maintain good alignment over their skating leg and make sure the free leg closes straight down rathe...

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Upright spin star position hold on spinner
Purpose: The star position is the snap position after an upright spin entry edge and hook. It comes before the traditional H position. Having good alignment on the star position is crucial for a centered spin, even more so tha...

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Upright spin star position to H position on spinner
Purpose: Skaters who want to do a tight upright spin forward or backward need to work on the two positions before the cross position: star, and h position.
Focus: Basic technique, axis and alignment, spin centering
D...

Purpose: Practicing spins on the spinner can be very helpful for skaters on the ice. It is more difficult to do spins on a spinner with improper technique than it is to do on the ice. Practicing spins on the spinner helps skaters really understand where the weight needs to be in the blade during ...

Level: Foundation
Exercise: Backward upright spin entry to H position 1 turn on spinner
Purpose: This drill helps skaters practice their entry hook into a H position with less speed and rotation. By doing only one turn and having to check out afterwards, skaters have to pay extra attention to the...

Purpose: Skaters can walk-through the phases of their back spin, entry, star, h, and cross position, while on their spinner to focus on proper weight placement in foot during each spin phase.

Focus: Weight placement, basic technique, spin phases

Level: Foundation
Base exercise: Back scratch spin
Variation: Loop jump exit
Purpose: Doing a loop jump off the back spin on a spinner can help skaters practice alignment into their loop jump and air position for any jump. Doing a loop jump off a spinner is also a good safety exercise for student...

Level: Beginner
Base exercise: Pivot to H position
Variation: Snap down into cross position
Purpose: Skaters can get comfortable with the feeling of snapping from H position into a cross position with very slow speed by using a spinner. They should focus on the quality of their H position before...

Level: Foundation
Base exercise: Backward scratch spin
Variation: Arms above the head
Purpose: Putting the arms above the head in a back scratch spin can be a fun variation for skaters to try so they can use in choreography. It can also be an useful exercise for students who need to practice more...