I'm sitting here, having to cancel my lesson last minute because I had a really bad vertigo episode in hte morning and basically lyed in my bed unable to move, and I was really excited because I wanted to show my coach my progress with sit spins and alternating 3-turns.

Anyway, since I can't spin until an inner ear infection clears up, I started thinking about ugly spin positions. I saw one skater (I think Stephane Lambiel does it) who did a spin where he was basically bent over in half with his butt in the air and his arm grabbing his free leg.

Found a pic:

Sorry, but I can't stand this spin position. I just don't think it's an attractive position. Anyone have any others?

Hmm...I don't think that photo can be topped!

Hope your ear infection clears up soon! I think Sandhu originated that spin position. I hate it too, but there is another one I also dislike that I call the "dog at a fire hydrant". Stance is upright, free leg is out, up and bent at the knee. Sorry no pic.

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Yep, I think Sandhu was doing that spin first. A lot of people refer to it as the butt spin.

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That picture's dirrrrrty!!

The "Butt" spin did originate (at least in competition) with Sandhu. Alissa Czisny does it, too. I don't think it looks that bad, it's just a bad angle. I also don't think Stephane is as great a spinner as everyone says he is. Fast? Yes. Centered and with good positions? No. Sandhu does it way better, and I bet no caption of him doing it would look half as bad.

Sorry to hear you have come down with an inner ear infection. I had that once and I seriously couldn't walk in a straight line - I kept on banging into the wall or simply falling over. It's a horrible sensation. I hope it clears up soon for you. Take it easy in the mean time.

As for that spin, I agree in that it's not attractive at all!

Nicki

Maybe one of the girl chinese gymnasts turned figure skaters could do one similar to that.... except they bend other way.

The bent leg (intnetional) camel is pretty awful too. I can't find a picture anywhere, but a few of the women do a camel where they bend both their free and skating legs in exactly the kind of position coaches used to correct.

Hey there,

Actually, I remember Nathalie Krieg (SUI) doing this spin at the '94 Olympics as part of her combination spin in the short. That's the first time I can recall seeing this particular position.

I think this is one of those positions that looks better in motion than it does in a still photo.

Take care,

Frank

I like the spin a lot when done quickly by a flexible skater. It looks like a little wireworks top spinning.

But man, that photo is scary!

Yes, Nathalie Krieg was most definitely doing it. I actually used to do this spin myself when I was a kid. That was in Switzerland in the early '90s, and it was a quite common spin.

Cheers
Skatingpanda

I hate Butyrskaya's and Sokolova's layback spins. I always cringe when I see them. Their arms and legs never hit any of the classical layback positions, and to me, were unpleasantly angular.
Sokolova, of late, has altered hers so that she is doing the "haircutter" spin--she goes into the layback, grabbing her free foot and bringing it to her head.

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Is anyone else totally distracted by how shiny those pants are?

Not me, the only thing that occurs to me is how on earth they would get me to the hospital if I ever even got into that position !!

Here is a bent leg camel with a layover position, which I think actually looks pretty cool.

My motto has been:

"Just because you can do it, does not mean you should."

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I HATE Sasha's beaver cleaver. It is so unbecoming and reveals way too much crotch!

OK, I'll bite - *what* is a "beaver cleaver"?? (And can anyone post a pic?) If it's that gynaecological spiral and spin position she gets into, I couldn't agree more.

One of the ladies does it without the layover though. I wish I could remember who!

Reminds me of the time my hubby and I were watching some pair skating-he really thought we were watching an X-rated program by the positions they obtained during some of the lifts... I think it helped get him more "into" skating

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Now I know what you are talking about...it is an ugly position! Don't have a pic of that one though.

Oh you are so spot on about Butyrskaya's "layback". I'm sure I'll never be able to to a layback in this lifetime, but like the "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" I know what I like in laybacks, and her's ain't it. Quite angular, with a very unattractive free leg position. Then there are the arms.

I like it better than those, just my opinion, HORRID change any spin to an inside edge and look like you're making a mistake spins.. I just can't stand those. Some things about CoP are creating......maybe some ugly positions. Though intellectually I can see such edge changes demonstrate control, etc. I still don't like them! That and the overused Biellmann's.

i do that all the time by accident on my back sit, and now i can get away with it!