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| Figure Skating Spirals |
| A Spiral is a position with one blade on the ice and the
free leg (including knee and foot) higher than the hip level.
Spiral positions are classified according to the skating leg
(right, left), edge (outside, inside), direction (forward,
backward) and position of the free leg (backward, forward,
sideways). |
| Variation |
Description |
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Video |
| Arabesque Spiral |
An arabesque spiral is the basic spiral position. The free leg is extended behind the body above hip height (at least a 90 degree angle). Some skaters are able to achieve vertical split position (170- 180 degrees) with this position. |
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| Catch Foot Spiral |
A spiral where the free leg is held with one or both hands.A catch-foot spiral does not refer to any single position, but generally refers to any spiral with the skate of the free leg being held in one or both hands. Catchfoot spirals include: |
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| Biellmann Spiral |
A Biellman spiral is a variation of a catch foot where the free leg is pulled up hiugher than the head. THis position requires extreme flexibility. |
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| Cross Grab Spiral |
A cross grab is a catch-foot spiral where the skate of the free leg grasped from behind by the opposite hand |
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| Charlotte |
A Charlotte is a variation in which the torso is dropped down forward toward the skating leg and the free leg is lifted behind in a near-split position |
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| Fan Spiral |
A fan spiral is a back outside edge spiral held with the free leg held unsupported to the skater's front or side. Ideally, this position should be held with both legs straight, although less flexible skaters attempt to compensate for a lack of strength or flexibility by not fully extending the free leg or bending the skating leg. |
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| Kerrigan Spiral |
A Kerrigan spiral is a high-leg outside spiral performed with one hand supporting the knee of the free leg. This position is named after Nancy Kerrigan. |
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| Inverted Spiral |
An inverted spiral is a variation performed with the free leg held in front with the skater leaning backward over the edge of the skating foot so that the skater's upper body is held almost parallel to the ice. The position attained in this spiral is similar to that of a layover camel. |
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| Spread Eagle |
This move involves turning both feet and legs outward so that the skater moves sideways on the ice. When performing a spread eagle the skater should turn their legs at the hip. If you feel stress in your knees you are not turning at the hip enough. |
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| Spiral Sequences in competition |
| Straight Line |
Short barrier to short barrier.
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| Serpintine |
Two or three bold curves. Skater skates
from short barrier to short barrier.
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| Circular |
A skater completes a circle using the width of
the ice surface. |
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| Quality and Grade of Execution |
| Quality |
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| Grade of Execution |
1. Good flow, energy and execution
2. Good speed during sequence
3. Good body line
4. Highlights the character of the program
5. Superior flexibility
6. Creativity and originality |
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