AboutDianne DeLeeuw Expertise I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing! To correct or instruct you on manuevers is really not what I want to do.
Experience Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars.
Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club
Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge
Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year
Question I have practiced camel change camel and flying camel for a month now..On forward camel I can get maybe 6-7 revolutions then changing foot and do back camel with 3-4 revolutions at the most. On the flying camel I get maybe 4 revolutions..
Im wondering what to do to increase speed and rotations in these spins (change arm-positions, timing of trailing-leg etc)..?
When doing the flying camel, I step into the spin and jump before completing 1/2 rotation (or the 3turn "hook" of the spin). I jump or step over (like jumping a waltz jump but with my upper body leaned forward almost parallell to the ice), rotating 180 degrees, and then start spinning on an right back outside edge as soon as Im landing.. does it sound like Im doing it correct (or am I jumping too soon/too late etc)..?
I find it more difficult to do back camels from an 3turn entrance (I have trouble "whipping/swinging" my leg around with sufficient force, my foot is trailing on the ice a little bit before lifting it up and swinging it around and back, and I always end up on a way too deep outside edge, slowing down the whole spin),, do you know how to fix this..?
Cold you also give me some tips for the Hammill camel (from back camel and down into a back sit)..?
(I can do the back camel back scratch transition, but I always fall when attemting the Hammill camel..)
I`d be very greatful if you could answer these questions, because right now I dont have a coach (Im a student who have to take a couple of classes in a town that doesnt have a figure skating club, and Im staying here for 5 whole months!)
Rose
Answer Hi Rose,
Sounds like you are doing good!
The back camel is the base for all these. Work on the entrance timing. That is how you rise on the knee, this will give you speed.
For the jump in on flying camel: Think of jumping "over" the line you took going in for more swing.
The Hamill camel is obviously not my favorite. But to go to sit from camel is easy. Bend the skating knee, and snap the free leg to front as you turn your body to meet it. This all occurs as you are going down into sit.
Watch videos to help you out...there are plenty on line!
Good luck, remember everyone is different and varies things a bit.
Dianne
