This video shows a demonstration of a layback spin. The skater achieves a level four by performing one of the six mandatory “gateway” features, along with four difficult variation features.  

Feature: Eight Revolutions (0:00 – 0:04)

For the first feature, the skater begins with a basic layback spin. Once she has centered the spin, she maintains her spinning axis by stacking her free side (this skater’s right side) higher than her skating side by pulling up her right hip. This basic layback spin counts as a difficult feature because the skater holds the position for eight revolutions, without changing her body position or edge.

Gateway Feature: Outside Edge (0:05 – 0:06)

Next, the skater changes her skating foot to an outside edge, while maintaining the same body position in the basic layback spin. The edge change counts as a “clear change of edge”, qualifying the skater to receive a level four on this spin.

There are a total of six different features that can qualify a spin to be a level four:

• Difficult change of position on the same foot
• Difficult exit
• Clear change of edge
• Both directions immediately following each other in sit, camel, Layback or difficult variation of an upright position
• Clear increase of speed
• Difficult variation of flying entry

Feature: Side Layback (0:07 – 0:09)

For the third feature, the skater performs a side layback. Her free leg is fully extended, and her skating leg is straight. Her shoulders are vertically stacked, and she puts her right arm behind her back so that she can pull it down toward the ice to achieve the proper position. This way, she utilizes her full range of motion and maintains her speed of rotation.

One common mistake on the side layback is allowing the skating knee to bend; notice how this skater keeps her leg properly straight so that the spin is centered and the position is more elegant.

Feature: Haircutter (0:09 – 0:11)

Finally, the skater transitions into a haircutter. With her right hand, she reaches through the gap between her blade and her boot near the heel and turns her palm up. Grasping the blade, she then turns her right elbow to point toward the ceiling, pulling her free foot closer to her head as she arches backward. She keeps her skating leg straight during the transition and holds the spin for about four rotations.

For more information about these positions, view our post on the side layback and haircutter spin.