Spiral tips please!

[Alycat]

So, I have to do a spiral for my grade. I've already learnt and passed (in one lesson) bunny hop-drags and two foot spins, so I just need to pass spirals and waltz jumps to move forward.
To pass I have to do a spiral that has my knee level with my hip (at least). I can do this off ice (well, that's how high it goes, no further) but when I get on the ice I can't. I figure I need to stretch it further off ice so I can get it on the ice.
Any tips?

[trewyn]

This probably should have gone in the 'skater's chat', I guess that's why nobody's answered yet. Anyway, I can't help you with the skating part, since I don't really skate myself. But I do take an amateur ballet class for adults, and ever since I've been practicing an arabesque at home. So that's basically the same kind of stretching. I'm sure lots of other people on here can give you better tips than me. My flexibility is absolutely non-existing. But practicing an arabesque or spiral can be so much fun! First of all; I try to practice it every day. It rarely takes long. I do lots of different things; just swing my leg back and forth, reaching a spiral position without holding it, just to warm up and see how far it goes. Then I bring the toes of my one foot to the knee of my other leg and work from there to a spiral position; you feel lots of muscles you'll need to be able to hold it and stretch it; but for me when doing that exercise, I don't really work on my flexibility all that much because I slightly cheat the movement by turning the spiral leg slightly sideways, if you know what I mean. So one last exercise I do is work from both legs together and slowly bring the one leg up to the right position; then you really feel the muscles in the lower part of your back (and in my case realize how not flexible you are). Of course a lot about a spiral is about balance; so you can do these exercises supported and without aid. So really, there's lots of variations, and I think it's a lot of fun. Maybe someone else on here will say that I'm giving you all the wrong advice; so please correct me!

[Alycat]

This probably should have gone in the 'skater's chat', I guess that's why nobody's answered yet. I thought I HAD put it in skaters chat.
Never mind. I will definately try your advice

[sonador16]

Oooh spirals are awesome :D

Okay, so what you can do:

1) PRACTICE. Just keep on doing it, and you will build up the muscles and flexibility gradually

2) Try to keep your torso upright at all times. That way, when you do bend your torso forward, you get extra leverage.

3) Work on your side splits - the flexibility will help you.

4) Laura (Emma7639) made a great video on how to improve your spirals. You can search her vids for it, I'll try to see if I can find where she posted it.

[Alycat]

Thanks,
I will search for that video. I've tried some of the stretches and will try again today before I go to bed. I really want to get these, because I'm really inflexible and I don't want to get stuck on it for ages.

[Emma7639]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4MydrVR148

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptH1Dn49x-0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s0dskzWYWI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Gd8-_VSMA

:)

[Alycat]

Thanks for the videos. I've checked them out and will be trying some of the stretches

[aimeefan]

what grade are you in though

because in the Skate UK in grade 10 you do spiral.

Tip: Stand near the barrier and put your hand on there the lift your leg up. Do this a few times then you can do a really high spiral and do this off ice!

[Alycat]

what grade are you in though

because in the Skate UK in grade 10 you do spiral.

Tip: Stand near the barrier and put your hand on there the lift your leg up. Do this a few times then you can do a really high spiral and do this off ice!
Erm, I'm bronze star skate UK. In grade 10 you do a short sequence, crossovers round two circles (forwards and backwards) and a spiralling curve (which my teacher took to mean that you spin in smaller and smaller circles until you are doing like a spin).

I've been doing that by the barrier every time, but it doesn't really help that much. I can't do a really high spiral cause my flexibility sucks! Thanks for the reply though.

[Aemskater]

My coach made me go to side of the rink and hold my leg up with the wall. It helped me get used to holdling my leg up with the weight of my skates.