Editing Figure skating spins (section)

== Rules and regulations ==

===Single skating===
If a skater performs a spin that has no basic position with only two revolutions, or with less than two revolutions, they do not fulfill the position requirement for the spin, and receives no points for it. A spin with less than three revolutions is not considered a spin; rather, it is considered a skating movement.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-103">S&P/ID 2021, p. 101</ref> The flying spin and any spin that only has one position must have six revolutions; spin combinations must have 10 revolutions. Required revolutions are counted from when the skater enters the spin until they exit out of it, except for flying spins and the spins in which the final wind-up is in one position.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-110">S&P/ID 2021, p. 108</ref> Skaters increase the difficulty of camel spins by grabbing their leg or blade while performing the spin.<ref name="hill">{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Maura Sullivan |date=6 February 2018 |title=All the Figure Skating Lingo You Need to Know Before the Olympics |work=Cosmopolitan |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a15949360/figure-skating-jumps-spins-moves-olympics/ |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

A skater earns points for a spin change of edge only if they complete the spin in a basic position. Fluctuations in speed and variations in the positions of a skater's arms, head, and free leg are permitted. A skater must execute at least three revolutions before and after a change of foot. If a skater tries to perform a spin and his or her change of foot is too far apart (thus creating two spins instead of one), only the part executed before the change of foot is included in the skater's score.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-103"/> The change of foot is optional for spin combinations and for single-position spins.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-110" /> If they fall while entering a spin, the skater can fill the time lost by executing a spin or spinning movement immediately afterwards; however, this movement will not be counted as an element.<ref name="communications2494-1">{{Cite web |date=30 June 2022 |title=Communication No. 2494: Single & Pair Skating/Ice Dance |url=https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/28951-isu-communication-2494/file |access-date=4 July 2022 |publisher=International Skating Union |location=Lausanne, Switzerland |page=3}}</ref> Difficult spin variations increase the level of a spin and are worth more points. These variations include a movement of the body part, head, leg, arm, or hand that requires flexibility or physical strength and that effects the balance of the skater's main body core. There are 11 categories of difficult spin variations; three are in the camel spin position, based on the direction of the skater's shoulder line.<ref name="no2334-3">{{Cite web |date=8 July 2020 |title=Communication No. 2334 |url=https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/24665-isu-communication-2334/file |access-date=26 July 2022 |publisher=International Skating Union |page=3}}</ref>

A spin combination must have at least "two different basic positions with 2 revolutions in each of these positions anywhere within the spin".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-103"/> Skaters earn the full value of a spin combination when they include all three basic positions. The number of revolutions in non-basic positions are included in the total number of revolutions, but changing to a non-basic position is not considered a change of position. The change of foot and change of position can be made at the same time or separately, and can be performed as a jump or as a step-over movement. Non-basic positions are allowed during spins executed in one position or, for single skaters, during a flying spin.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-103"/> Difficult exits must have a significant impact on the spin's execution, control, and balance.<ref name="no2334-3" />

<gallery>
File:2019 Internationaux de France Friday ladies SP group 2 Wakaba HIGUCHI 8D9A7964.jpg|{{center|Haircutter spin<br/><small>[[Wakaba Higuchi]]</small>}}
File:Kaori Sakamoto - 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki - 20.jpg|{{center|[[Biellmann spin]]<br/><small>[[Kaori Sakamoto]]</small>}}
File:Imai-3.jpg|{{center|Catch-foot camel spin<br/><small>[[Haruka Imai]]</small>}}
File:2018 EC Maria Sotskova 2018-01-18 17-48-23 (2).jpg|{{center|Donut spin<br/><small>[[Maria Sotskova]]</small>}}
File:Photos – Cup of China 2017 – Ladies (Marin HONDA JPN – 5th Place) (16).jpg|{{center|Upright spin<br/><small>[[Marin Honda]]</small>}}

</gallery>

===Pair skating===
====Solo spin combinations====
The solo spin combination must be performed once during the short program of pair skating competitions, with at least two revolutions in two basic positions. Both partners must include all three basic positions in order to earn the full points possible. There must be a minimum of five revolutions made on each foot.<ref name="techpanel-7" >Tech Panel, p. 7</ref> Spins can be commenced with jumps and must have at least two different basic positions, and both partners must include two revolutions in each position. A solo spin combination must have all three basic positions (the camel spin, the sit spin, and upright positions) performed by both partners, at any time during the spin to receive the full value of points, and must have all three basic positions performed by both partners to receive full value for the element. A spin with less than three revolutions is not counted as a spin; rather, it is considered a skating movement. If a skater changes to a non-basic position,{{Efn|A non-basic position is defined as "all the other positions not fulfilling the requirements of any basic positions".<ref name="techpanel-8">Tech Panel, p. 8</ref>}} it is not considered a change of position. The number of revolutions in non-basic positions, which may be considered difficult variations, are counted towards the team's total number of revolutions. Only positions, whether basic or non-basic, must be performed by the partners at the same time.<ref name="techpanel-8">Tech Panel, p. 8</ref>

If a skater falls while entering into the spin, they can perform another spin or spinning movement immediately after the fall, to fill the time lost from the fall, but it is not counted as a solo spin combination. A change of foot, in the form of a jump or step over, is allowed, and the change of position and change of foot can be performed separately or at the same time.<ref name="techpanel-7"/> Pair teams require "significant strength, skill and control"<ref name="techpanel-8" /> to perform a change from a basic position to a different basic position without performing a nonbasic position first. They also have to execute a continuous movement throughout the change, without jumps to execute it, and they must hold the basic position for two revolutions both before and after the change.<ref name="techpanel-8" /> They lose points if they take a long time to reach the necessary basic position.<ref name="techpanel-10">Tech Panel, p. 10</ref>

Pair teams earn more points for performing difficult entrances into their spins.{{Efn|An "entrance into a spin" is defined as "the preparation immediately preceding a spin" and can include the spin's beginning phase.<ref name="techpanel-9"/>}} Difficult flying entrances count, although backward entry into the spin and a flying camel do not. All entrances must have a "significant impact"<ref name="techpanel-9">Tech Panel, p. 9</ref> on the spin's execution, balance, and control, and the intended spin position must be achieved within the team's first two revolutions. The rules surrounding difficult variations, which also apply to single skaters and to both partners, are also worth more points.{{Efn|"Difficult variations" are defined as "a movement of a body part, leg, arm, hand or head, which requires more physical strength or flexibility and has an effect on the balance of the main body core".<ref name="techpanel-9"/>}} There are 11 categories of difficult solo spin variations.{{Efn|See the 2022/2023 ''Technical Panel Handbook''.<ref name="techpanel-10"/>}}

<gallery>
File:Photos – Cup of China 2017 – Pairs (Wenjing SUI & Cong HAN CHN – Gold Medal) (35).jpg|{{center|Side by side spins<br><small>[[Sui Wenjing]] and [[Han Cong]]</small>}}
Image:Rus-nat-totmianina-marinin6.jpg|{{center|Side by side camel spins<br><small>[[Tatiana Totmianina]] and [[Maxim Marinin]]</small>}}
File:Vise & Trent Spin - 2006 Skate Canada.jpg|{{center|Side by side spins<br><small>[[Tiffany Vise]] and [[Derek Trent]]</small>}}
</gallery>

====Pair spin combinations====
Both junior and senior pair teams must perform one pair spin combination, which may begin with a fly spin, during their free skating programs.<ref name="techpanel-12">Tech Panel, p. 12</ref> Pair spin combinations must have at least eight revolutions, which must be counted from "the entry of the spin until its exit".<ref>S&P/ID 2021, p. 117</ref> If spins are done with less than two revolutions, pairs receive zero points; if they have less than three revolutions, they are considered a skating movement, not a spin. Pair teams cannot, except for a short step when changing directions, stop while performing a rotation.<ref name="techpanel-12"/> Spins must have at least two different basic positions, with two revolutions in each position performed by both partners anywhere within the spin; full value for pair spin combinations are awarded only when both partners perform all three basic positions.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-113">S&P/ID 2021, p. 114</ref> A spin executed in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions is considered one spin. When a team simultaneously performs spins in both directions that immediately follow each other, they earn more points, but they must execute a minimum of three revolutions in each direction without any changes in position.<ref name="techpanel-14">Tech Panel, p. 14</ref>

Both partners must execute at least one change of position and one change of foot (although not necessarily done simultaneously); if not, the element will have no value.<ref>S&P/ID 2021, pp. 116–117</ref> Like the solo spin combination, the spin combination has three basic positions: the camel spin, the sit spin, and the upright spin. Also like the solo spin combination, changes to a non-basic position is counted towards the team's total number of revolutions and are not considered a change of position. A change of foot must have at least three revolutions, before and after the change, and can be any basic or non-basic position, in order for the element to be counted.<ref name="techpanel-13">Tech Panel, p. 13</ref>

Fluctuations of speed and variations of positions of the head, arms, or free leg are allowed.<ref name="techpanel-7"/> Difficult variations of a combined pair spin must have at least two revolutions. They receive more points if the spin contains three difficult variations, two of which can be non-basic positions, although each partner must have at least one difficult variation. The same rules apply for difficult entrances into pair spin combinations as they do for solo spin combinations, except that they must be executed by both partners for the element to count towards their final score.<ref name="techpanel-14"/> A difficult exit, in which the skaters exit the spin in a lift or spinning movement, is defined as "an innovative move that makes the exit significantly more difficult".<ref name="techpanel-14"/> If one or both partners fall while entering a spin, they can execute a spin or a spinning movement to fill up time lost during the fall.<ref name="techpanel-12"/>


<gallery>
File:WC2008 FP SavchenkoSzolkowy GER 1.jpg|{{center|<small>[[Aliona Savchenko]] and [[Robin Szolkowy]]</small>}}
File:2011 TEB Free 297 Amanda Evora Mark Ladwig.jpg|{{center|Pair sit spin<br><small>[[Amanda Evora]] and [[Mark Ladwig]]</small>}}
File:Annika_Hocke_%26_Robert_Kunkel_2024_Worlds_Free_Skate_7.jpg|{{center|<small>[[Annika Hocke]] and [[Robert Kunkel]]</small>}}
</gallery>

===Dance spins===
There are two types of dance spins: the solo spin and the combination spin.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125">S&P/ID 2021, p. 125</ref> The ISU defines a dance spin as "a spin skated by the Couple together in any hold".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125" /> The ISU also states, "It should be performed on the spot around a common axis on one foot by each partner simultaneously".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125" /> The combination spin is defined as "a spin performed as above after which one change of foot is made by both partners simultaneously and further rotations occur".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125" /> The solo spin, or pirouette, is allowed and defined as "a spinning movement performed on one foot",<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125" /> with or without the partner's assistance, performed by both partners at the same time but around separate centers. The ISU announces dance spin variations or combinations at the beginning of each season.<ref>S&P/ID 2021, p. 127</ref>

Dance spins have three positions. The upright position is done on one foot with the skating leg slightly bent or straight and with the upper body upright, bent to the side, or with an arched back.<ref name="S&P/ID2018-125" /> The sit position is done on one foot, with "the skating leg bent in a one-legged crouch position and with the free leg forward, either to the back or the side".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-126">S&P/ID 2021, p. 126</ref> The camel position is done on one foot, with "the skating leg straight or slightly bent forward, and with the free leg extended or bent forward horizontally or higher".<ref name="S&P/ID2018-126" /> Ice dancers increase the difficulty of their spins by varying the direction of their spinning rotation and by changing how they enter into and exit out of the spin. For the direction of their rotation, they must both change the direction at the same time and complete at least three rotations in each direction. Their entry into their spins must be unexpected, without any evident preparation.<ref>Communication No. 2393, pp. 5–6</ref> Both their entry into and out of their spin, immediately before entering and exiting the spin, must both include a "continuous combination of different creative and/or difficult and/or intricate steps or movements or a continuous combination of both creative and/or difficult and/or intricate step(s)".<ref>Communication No. 2393, p. 6</ref>

<gallery>
File:Khokhlova & Novitski 2003 NHK Trophy.jpg|[[Jana Khokhlova]] & [[Sergei Novitski]], 2003
File:Nazarova, Nikitin - 2014 Junior Worlds - 3.jpg|[[Oleksandra Nazarova]] & [[Maksym Nikitin]], 2014
File:Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri 2024 Worlds Free Dance 4.jpg|[[Charlène Guignard|Charlene Guignard]] & [[Marco Fabbri]], 2024
File:2018 EC Natalia Kaliszek Maksym Spodyriev 2018-01-20 15-45-07 (5).jpg|[[Natalia Kaliszek]] & [[Maksym Spodyriev]], 2018
File:Sara Hurtado, Kirill Khaliavin - 2018 Olympics - 25.jpg|[[Sara Hurtado]] & [[Kirill Khaliavin]], 2018
File:2020 European Figure Skating Championships Yuka Orihara Juho Pirinen 2020 01 25 6619 (2).jpg| [[Yuka Orihara]] & [[Juho Pirinen]], 2020
</gallery>

{{commons category|Figure skating spins}}