Expert: gary beacom - 10/25/2009

Question
Hi. I just passed my basic 4 evaluation and I am now basic 5. I am having a hard time learning a 1 foot spin. Here are my 3 problems: 1) I kinda look at my hands when I am spinning. This makes me dizzy. Where am I supposed to look when I am spinning? 2) I don't know how to enter the spin. Am I supposed to enter it on a deep outsise edge, from stand still, or other? 3) My toepick always touches the ice. This prevents me from spinning more than 1 revolution. What part of the blade am i supposed to spin on? (I'm not doing a scratch spin)

Answer
Hi Emmaleigh and congratulations on passing your level 4 evaluation!
It doesn't matter that much where you are looking when you spin. I sometimes spin with my eyes closed. You don't really need your eyes to do a good spin. Keeping your eyes on the top of the boards all the way around the rink may help by giving you a sense of level.
I would enter the spin off a deep forward outside edge from a back inside edge on the other foot. Don't push at all into the spin if you can help it. Get enough speed on the back crossovers that lead to the back inside edge so that you won't need to push into the spin. A push upsets the balance which is so key to centering. While you are in the spin your blade should be on an inside edge, but just barely. You should be very close to a flat.
Your toe pick can touch the ice for balance, but just barely. Try not to rely on it to the point that it digs into the ice. This will slow the spin right down, as you know.
Take care.
Gary