Camel Spins And Sit Spins Explained For Figure Skaters

A spin can look like a blur of speed, sequins and precise musical timing, yet its defining feature is often simple: the shape created by the skater’s body. Two of the most recognisable shapes are the camel spin and the sit spin. Both demand control over the skating foot, body alignment and centre of rotation, but they communicate very different lines on the ice.

The camel position creates a long, almost aircraft-like silhouette. The skating leg remains extended while the torso leans forward and the free leg stretches behind, usually at or above hip height. A sit position lowers the body instead, with the skating knee bent deeply and the hips held near the level of the knee.

The distinction matters for spectators, coaches and developing skaters. At a major event such as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, a change in spin position can be part of the choreography, a required element or a way to build difficulty. The 2019 Torino event brought Senior and Junior skaters together at Palavela, where small technical details were visible even from the stands.

The Torino event guide offers useful background on disciplines, competitors, schedules and the arena experience. Understanding the two positions makes it easier to follow why one spin appears expansive and elevated while the other seems compressed, grounded and powerful.

The Shape Of A Camel Spin

A camel spin is built around an extended body line. The skater rotates on one foot with the upper body leaning forward and the free leg extended backwards, creating a roughly horizontal position. The free leg should remain active rather than simply hanging, and the torso, hip and leg need to work together to preserve a clear silhouette.

The classic version is only one possibility. A skater may use a straight-back camel, a side camel with the torso opened towards the side, or a variation in which the free leg bends or the arms change position. The defining quality remains the same: the body is elongated, and the free leg is lifted behind the skater while the skating leg supports the rotation.

Balance is especially sensitive in this position. If the head rises suddenly, the chest collapses or the free hip drops, the centre of mass shifts and the spin may travel across the ice. A strong camel position usually shows a stable skating knee, a firm core and a free leg that stays at a consistent height. The most effective versions look calm even when the entry was difficult.

How A Sit Spin Lowers The Body

A sit spin is defined by a pronounced bend in the skating knee. The hips descend while the torso stays controlled, and the free leg is generally extended forward or positioned in another recognisable sit variation. The skater can appear to be sitting on an invisible chair, although the exact depth, arm placement and leg direction vary considerably.

The basic sit position points the free leg forward, with the thigh close to parallel with the ice when the position is fully established. Variations may extend the free leg to the side, pull it closer to the body, or alter the torso and arm line. A cannonball sit, for example, draws the body into a compact shape, while a broken-leg sit creates a more asymmetric visual pattern.

Lowering into the position requires strength in the quadriceps, glutes and ankle stabilisers. The skater must bend deeply without allowing the knee to collapse inward or the weight to move too far behind the blade. Returning to an upright position too early can erase the intended shape, while staying low with poor alignment can reduce speed and control.

Visible Features Of Each Position

• Camel spin: torso leans forward and the free leg extends behind
• Sit spin: hips lower and the skating knee bends deeply
• Camel variations: side, catch-foot and bent-leg shapes
• Sit variations: forward, side, cannonball and broken-leg positions
• Both positions: require a steady axis and controlled free leg

Entry, Balance And Rotation

The entry is one of the clearest practical differences between the two spins. A camel may begin from a forward edge with the free leg swinging through and rising as the skater settles into the horizontal line. A sit spin may use a back entry, a step sequence or a flying take-off before the skater drops into the low position. The entry must lead naturally into the final shape rather than becoming a separate movement that destroys the axis.

A camel spin often feels exposed because the limbs are extended far from the centre. Small changes in the shoulder line can pull the rotation off-centre. Skaters commonly use the arms during the entry to control momentum, then draw or open them to create a planned variation. The free leg acts like a long lever, so even a slight change in its height can affect the speed.

A sit spin has a different challenge. The compact body can rotate quickly, but the low centre of gravity makes the position physically demanding. A skater needs enough knee bend to show the sit shape without losing speed. The supporting ankle must remain responsive, especially when the blade rocks between its forward and backward parts during the adjustment.

For young skaters training in Australia, the setting can influence preparation. Rinks in Melbourne and Sydney often have busy public sessions, while Brisbane skaters may travel further for specialised ice time. A short practice session should therefore have a clear purpose: one session for entry edges, another for holding the position, and a separate block for changes of foot or flying entries.

How Judges Recognise Difficulty

In competition, a spin is assessed through its position, quality and level of difficulty rather than by appearance alone. The skater must establish a recognisable camel or sit shape, maintain control and complete the required rotations. A position that looks dramatic but is not held clearly may be less valuable than a simpler shape that is stable, centred and well executed.

Difficulty can come from a challenging entry, a difficult variation, a change of foot, a change of position or a combination of positions. A camel-to-sit combination can create contrast within one element: the body first stretches into a long horizontal line and then contracts into a low, compact shape. The transition must still be clean enough for each position to count.

Speed is another visible quality, but speed alone does not guarantee a strong result. A fast spin that travels widely may appear less controlled than a slightly slower spin centred on the same patch of ice. Judges and technical specialists also consider whether the skater has met the required features and whether the position is sufficiently clear.

At Palavela, spectators watching the 2019 Grand Prix Final could see how these details fit into the larger performance. A spin is judged as a technical element, yet its timing with the music, arm design and connection to the preceding steps can make it feel like part of the programme’s story rather than a pause in the action.

Common Errors In Practice

• Letting the camel free leg sink until the line is no longer clear
• Bending the sit knee without lowering the hips enough to show the position
• Allowing the shoulders to twist away from the skating direction
• Travelling across the ice because the weight is outside the blade’s sweet spot
• Changing arms or leg position before the basic shape is secure
• Rising from a sit position too early and losing rotational speed

Training Both Positions Safely

Camel and sit spins use different physical patterns, so training should include more than repeated attempts on the ice. Off-ice work can develop single-leg balance, hip mobility, ankle control and core endurance. A skater should practise the body lines slowly before adding speed, and should use a coach’s feedback to check whether the apparent shape matches the intended position.

For a camel, useful preparation includes controlled arabesque holds, hip-extension exercises and balance drills with the torso inclined forward. The aim is to lift the free leg from the hip while keeping the pelvis level. For a sit spin, strength work should support a deep skating-knee bend, with attention to knee tracking and the ability to rise without pushing the body backwards.

Safety also depends on the rink and the session. Australian skaters may train around school timetables, early-morning public sessions and long drives between metropolitan arenas. Hydration, warm layers and a proper off-ice warm-up are practical concerns in a country where an indoor rink can feel cold even during a hot summer day. Coaches and rink operators should follow local work health and safety requirements, while clubs should apply child-safe policies when juniors train or travel.

The commercial side matters as well. Private lessons, skate sharpening, costumes and competition entry can make figure skating expensive in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must provide services with due care and skill, but skaters still benefit from checking lesson terms, cancellation rules and what a session includes before paying. A clear training plan helps ensure limited ice time is spent on useful repetitions rather than random attempts.

Reading Spins As A Spectator

The quickest way to identify a camel spin is to look for the long line from the skater’s head and shoulders through the torso to the raised free leg behind. The body is usually close to horizontal, even if the arms or leg create a more unusual variation. If the skater changes position while keeping the rotation continuous, watch for the moment the shape becomes distinctly different.

For a sit spin, focus on the hips and skating knee. The skater should appear low to the ice, with the supporting leg bent and the body held over the blade. A skater may keep the free leg forward, move it to the side or draw it close, but the lowered hip line remains the essential clue.

Many programmes combine both positions with upright spins and changes of foot. This is why a full spin element can look complex even when the audience is trying to identify one shape. The skater may enter in a camel, move through a difficult variation, change to a sit position and finish upright, all within a few seconds of music.

When watching from an Australian arena or a streamed replay, pause at the moment the skater settles into the position rather than judging the whole movement at once. Notice the skating knee, the free-leg height, the body angle and whether the rotation stays centred. With those four details, the difference becomes much easier to see.

A useful viewing habit is to compare the positions without ranking them. The camel spin displays extension, openness and balance, while the sit spin demonstrates compression, leg strength and control close to the ice. Both can be fast, elegant and technically demanding, and elite skaters use their differences to create contrast across a programme.

Watch a competition replay or revisit the event information with these visual markers in mind. Then use the next rink session to identify one camel feature and one sit feature from the boards, or ask a qualified coach to help refine the positions safely and accurately.