In this demonstration, a young skater uses a off-ice spinboard to performs a combination spin including a camel forward variation (catch foot camel), a sit behind variation (tuck), and an upright biellmann.
Note that when practicing with an off-ice spinboard, the spinning foot should be positioned with the toes about half an inch off the front of the board. This allows the skater’s weight to be balanced over the ball of the foot (the widest part of the foot), mimicking the feel of spinning on the ice over the blade’s rocker.
Windmill (0:00 – 0:01)
The skater begins with a forward windmill, also known as an illusion, by leaning forward while kicking her free leg upward behind her so that her legs are near the split position of at least 135 degrees. Her hips stay relatively square, with her belly button facing downward, and her body tilts straight downward as she kicks her leg. Her body and her leg stay in line and move as a single unit.
Camel Forward Variation: Catch Foot Camel (0:03 – 0:05)
After the windmill, the skater begins the transition to a catch foot camel position by hinging her hips so that her back is parallel to the ground. She then bends her free leg upward, keeping her thigh in line with her body, and reaches back with her skating arm (this skater’s left arm) to grasp the outside her right foot and pull it upward. Her right arm is held against her chest, one of the many arm variations for this position.
The camel spin and the catch foot camel variation can be practiced by balancing on the spinboard without rotating, allowing the skater to learn the feeling of bending the free leg upward and grasping it with their skating hand.
Sit Behind Variation (0:06 – 0:08)
Next, the skater performs a sit behind variation, also known as the tuck spin. Her left hand is already grasping the outer side of her right foot, so she bends her skating knee until it is hinged at about 90 degrees and pulls her right leg beneath her. Her right arm remains near her chest, and she holds the position for about three rotations.
Upright Biellmann (0:12 – 0:14)
Finally, the skater transitions to the upright biellmann spin by straightening up and stacking her free side higher than her skating side to her center the spin. She grasps the toes of her right foot with her right hand and straightens her skating leg as she pulls her free leg upward; she then grasps her free leg with her left hand to complete the position. This skater showcases her flexibility by moving her hands to her shin as she straightens her legs nearly into the splits. When she has finished, she releases the spin and performs a checkout position.
