figure skating spirals

The name "Spiral" is indicative of the skating edge. This move is generally (but not exclusively) demonstrated on a deep inside or outside edge. As the skater moves, he or she glides slightly to the left or right (depending on the edge used), and continues in a spiral pattern around the ice if held long enough.

Spirals can be performed on 8 edges: forward or backward, and on the inside or outside edges. Straight line spirals aren’t typically done in shows or competition and are mostly only used for tests such as Pre-Preliminary MITF.

The basic spiral is performed with the free leg stretched and extended to the rear above hip level. Many skaters try to lift the leg as high as possible, but more important than the height of the free leg is that it be fully stretched and that the tension of the position be maintained in the upper body as well.

Judges look at the depth, stability, and control of the skating edge, speed and ice coverage, extension, and other factors. Some skaters are able to change edges during a spiral. Michelle Kwan was known for her change-of-edge spiral, in which she maintained a fixed arabesque position while changing from an inside to outside edge.

A "spiral sequence" is a series of spiral moves performed together. The spiral sequence was a required element for ladies and pairs in international competition prior to the 2012–13 season; under the rules for the ISU Judging System, the skater must have held each spiral position for at least 3 seconds to have received credit for it.

A spiral sequence often included a change of edge spiral. The same spiral position was held, but the skater changed the edge he or she was skating on. The most common was forward inside edge to forward outside edge.{{cite web |url= http://www.skatejournal.com/turnglide.html |title=Turns and Glides|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719174955/http://www.skatejournal.com/turnglide.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 |work=Figure Skating Journal}}

From the 2012–13 season and onward, the spiral sequence was replaced by the choreographic sequence.{{Cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/TN%20103%20Singles%20Choreographic%20Sequence%206%2021%2012.pdf |title=Technical Notification 103 |publisher=U.S. Figure Skating |access-date=2018-11-26 |archive-date=2012-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030175053/http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/TN%20103%20Singles%20Choreographic%20Sequence%206%2021%2012.pdf |url-status=dead }} The choreographic sequence is required for men's, ladies' and pairs' free skating. The choreographic sequence consists of moves in the field, unlisted jumps, spinning movements, etc.{{cite web |url=https://www.isu.org/inside-single-pair-skating-ice-dance/isu-judging-system-fs/isu-handbooks-faq-sandp-skating-2/17595-tp-handbook-pair-skating-2018-19/file |title=Technical Panel Handbook: Pair Skating 2018/2019 |publisher=International Skating Union |date=19 July 2018 |page=8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725203752/https://www.isu.org/inside-single-pair-skating-ice-dance/isu-judging-system-fs/isu-handbooks-faq-sandp-skating-2/17595-tp-handbook-pair-skating-2018-19/file |archive-date=25 July 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.isu.org/inside-single-pair-skating-ice-dance/isu-judging-system-fs/isu-handbooks-faq-sandp-skating-2/17594-tp-handbook-singles-2018-19/file |title=Technical Panel Handbook: Pair Skating 2018/2019 |publisher=International Skating Union |date=19 July 2018 |page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725203739/https://www.isu.org/inside-single-pair-skating-ice-dance/isu-judging-system-fs/isu-handbooks-faq-sandp-skating-2/17594-tp-handbook-singles-2018-19/file |archive-date=25 July 2018}}

Spirals can also be performed in other positions, such as with the free leg extended forward or to the side, with a bent knee, or with the leg, knee, or skate supported with one or both hands. There are many variations and some names, while not necessarily official, have come into common use.

An arabesque spiral is the basic spiral position. The free leg is extended behind the body above hip height (at least a 90-degree angle). Some skaters are able to achieve vertical (180 degrees) with this position, but it is not required.{{cite web |title=Figure Skating Spirals |url=http://gofigureskating.com/skills/spirals/spirals.html |website=gofigureskating.com |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926062251/http://gofigureskating.com/skills/spirals/spirals.html |url-status=live }}

A catch-foot spiral does not refer to any single position, but generally refers to any spiral with the skate of the free leg being held in one or both hands. Catchfoot spirals include:

:The Biellmann spiral is performed with the free leg grasped from behind and pulled overhead in the Biellmann position. This spiral may be performed on any of the spiral edges.

:A cross-grab spiral is a catch-foot spiral with the skate of the free leg grasped from behind by the opposite hand (e.g. right skate held by the left hand, left skate held by the right hand)

:A Y-spiral also known as a 180 because your legs are at a 180 degree angle is performed with the skate of the free leg held out to the side. This is usually performed as a catch-foot spiral, although some skaters have increased the difficulty of this position by releasing the foot and holding the leg position unsupported.

A Charlotte spiral is a variation in which the torso is dropped down forward toward the skating leg and the free leg is lifted behind in a near-split position.

A Kerrigan spiral is a high-leg outside spiral performed with one hand supporting the knee of the free leg. This position is named after Nancy Kerrigan.

A skid spiral (also known as a slide spiral) is a difficult 180-degree turn on the ice performed in a spiral position, using a skidden three turn to change directions. It was invented by Robin Cousins{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}, and is notably performed by Sasha Cohen and Evgenia Medvedeva.

A fan spiral is a back outside edge spiral held with the free leg held unsupported to the skater's front or side. Ideally, this position should be held with both legs straight, although less flexible skaters attempt to compensate for a lack of strength or flexibility by not fully extending the free leg or bending the skating leg.

An inverted spiral is a variation performed with the free leg held in front with the skater leaning backward over the edge of the skating foot so that the skater's upper body is held almost parallel to the ice. The position attained in this spiral is similar to that of a layover camel.

Image:Mirai Nagasu 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard.JPG|{{center|Two-handed Biellmann spiral
(Side view)
(Mirai Nagasu)}}

Image:Kim 2009 Skate America FS Spiral.jpg|{{center|One-handed Biellmann spiral
(Front view)
(Yuna Kim)}}

Image:WC2008 SPLadies Asada JPN 1.jpg|{{center|Cross-grab one-hand Biellmann spiral
(Mao Asada)}}

Image:Diane Szmiett Spiral 2008-2009 JGPF.jpg|{{center|Catch-foot spiral
(Diane Szmiett)}}

Image:Kostner 2008GPF by Carmichael.jpg|{{center|Cross-grab catch-foot spiral
(Front view)
(Carolina Kostner)}}

Image:Kwak 2009.jpg|{{center|135 leg lift/spiral
(Kwak Min-jeong)}}

Image:2011 WFSC 6d 075 Elene Gedevanishvili.JPG|{{center|One-handed I-position spiral
(Elene Gedevanishvili)}}

Image:Mao Asada 2009 World Championships Spiral.jpg|{{center|Kerrigan spiral
(Front view)
(Mao Asada)}}

Image:Joannie Rochette Spiral - 2006 Skate Canada.jpg|{{center|Kerrigan spiral
(Side view)
(Joannie Rochette)}}

Image:Caroline Zhang Spiral 2008 Skate Canada.jpg|{{center|Variation on Kerrigan spiral
(Caroline Zhang)}}

Image:Mao Asada Spiral Grand Prix Final 2008.jpg|{{center|Fan spiral
(side view)
(Mao Asada)}}

Image:Jenni Vahamaa 2008 Junior Worlds.jpg|{{center|Arabesque spiral
(Right forward outside edge)
(Jenni Vähämaa)}}

Image:Shawn Sawyer Spiral 2008 Skate Canada.jpg|{{center|A male skater performing
an arabesque spiral
(Front view)
(Shawn Sawyer)}}

Image:Sasha Cohen charlotte spiral.jpg|{{center|Charlotte spiral
(Sasha Cohen)}}

Image:SawtschenkoSzolkowy 1.jpg|{{center|Catchfoot and arabesque
(Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy)}}

Image:Marcoux buntin.jpg|{{center|Pair arabesque spiral
(Valerie Marcoux & Craig Buntin)}}

Image:Elena Efaieva & Alexei Menshikov - 2006 Skate America.jpg|{{center|Pair arabesque spiral
(Elena Efaieva & Alexei Menshikov)}}

Image:Nam & Leftheris Spiral - 2006 Skate America.jpg|{{center|Pair fan spirals
(Naomi Nari Nam & Themistocles Leftheris)}}

Image:Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA Nodari MAISURADZE Skate Canada 2010.jpg|{{center|Pair fan spirals
(Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze }}

Image:Maria Mukhortova & Maxim Trankov - 2006 Skate America.jpg|{{center|Pair Biellmann spirals
(Maria Mukhortova & Maxim Trankov)}}

Image:AljonaSavchenko RobinSzolkowy GER FP NH2007 3.JPG|{{center|Pair Y-spirals
(Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy)}}

File:Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA Nodari MAISURADZE EC 2009.jpg|{{center|Y and catch-foot
(Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze) }}

File:Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker Spiral 2009 4CC.jpg|Pair catch-foot
(Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker)

File:Lexettes spirals.jpg|(The Lexettes)

File:Colonials spiral.jpg|(The Colonials)

File:Skyliners spirals.jpg|(The Skyliners)

{{Commons category|Figure skating spirals}}

{{Figure skating}}

Category:Figure skating elements