Scratch Spins: What to Remember (Written by a Novice)
So here’s the dealio: scratch spins are a piece of work.
What a way to start a post, eh? If you don’t know what a scratch spin is, worry not (I didn’t know what it was until about a year ago), and if you do know what it is… I mean… nice?
A scratch spin is a staple spin in figure skating. It’s the first official spin you learn after going through the basics of two-foot spins and simple one-foot spins that get you more accustomed to spinning. Scratch spins take you from an awkward, slow wobble of a spin, to a really fast, really disorienting tornado.
If you can’t tell, I’m learning how to do scratch spins right now, and boy is it not going so well… I mean, it’s going fine, but it’s also a pain in the butt (especially when I fall on my butt). Basically, the last time I went skating, I attempted an ungodly amount of spins, and only managed to actually do the thing correctly 4 times, and even then I checked out sooner than I should have. And seriously… when I say ungodly, I mean it. The session was 2 hours long, for about 30 minutes I was warming up, and about 20 minutes I was working on something other than my spins. The rest of the time I was straight up spinning nonstop.
Long story short, I wasn’t doing so well, but with so much time failing, one learns to categorize the things one needs to work on. Which is what I did… and what I’m doing. Here are some tips (that I’m writing for myself because I can) to balancing out a scratch spin:
1. Take time on the entrance. I mean it. You go into this spin on left outside edge (like a lunge), and it’s too easy to rush the entrance and COMPLETELY throw off your balance! Take time. Hold yourself steady. It’ll be worth it.
2. Use your outside edge (still on the entrance). Do NOT use your toepick to throw you into your spin. You’ll lose your momentum and your balance. Bend your knee, and lean into that edge. You’ll have a more centered spin!
3. Don’t forget about your skating leg. In a scratch spin, it is incredibly easy to only think about the leg that is raised in the air and moving to different positions. Your skating leg (aka the foot you are spinning on) must remain your focus. Keep it pulled up. Focus on where your rocker is (it’s… the part of your blade that you spin on… sorry for all the terminology if you don’t know skating!)
4. Lift your toe in your boot. On your skating leg, to help you find your rocker without catching your toepick, lift your toes in your boot. The results were like a miracle to me… now I just need to remember how to use it!
5. ARMS! I have a tendency to drop my right arm and lift my right shoulder. You need your arms to be parallel to the ice, especially as a beginner. Bring them in slowly, without dropping your elbows until you absolutely need to.
6. Keep your core tight. This one should be self explanatory, but I tend to forget about it sooooooo. Basically, use your stomach muscles. It makes things so much easier.
7. It’s better to land early than not land at all. Or, at least, that’s what my coach told me. If you feel like you are losing control, then check (stop spinning and land).
I’m sure I’m missing something. If you are a figure skater, please leave your tips for me… I could use them! If you’re not a figure skater, then let me know if you’ve ever taken an interest in the sport! I didn’t start skating until a little over a year ago, and I’m completely obsessed!
If you are a skater and are looking for a new spinner, here is the one I’m looking into!