Camel Spin - Variations

Variations

• Flying camel spin – formerly known as a Button camel, initiated with a jump from a forward outside edge to a back camel spin.

• Layover – performed by upturning the torso and free leg so that the skater's torso and free foot are pointing toward the ceiling, rather than toward the ice. This spin is frequently seen in artistic roller skating, where it is called a "layback spin" (but is distinct from the layback spin performed on ice).
  • Bent-leg layover – similar to a layover, except with a bent free leg. Josée Chouinard and Kim Yu-Na are among the best-known practitioners of this spin variation. Both have used it as one of their signature moves. This spin has been called the "Yuna camel".

• Catch-foot camel – performed by the skater grasping the free leg's blade with either hand. The skater's torso remains pointed toward the ice, and the free leg is held upward. A catch-foot camel with free leg extended upwards is sometimes called a one-hand Biellman or a half-Biellmann—named for Swiss skater Denise Biellmann, who popularized the move in the 1970s and '80s.
  • Doughnut or donut spin – a catch-foot camel, but the skater's head is pulled toward the free leg's foot so that the skater's head, torso, and free leg form a toric shape parallel to the ice. Oksana Baiul, Yukari Nakano frequently perform this spin.

• Grafström spin – camel with a bent skating leg, with the free foot still in the arabesque position.

• Hamill camel– not a true camel per se, but rather a transition from a backwards camel to a backwards sit spin by bending the skating leg and dropping the torso and free leg simultaneously.

• Illusion spin – performed by the skater keeping their head, torso, and free leg in a straight line, and rhythmically bobbing above and below the position of a standard camel spin. Tiffany Chin performed this spin frequently as an amateur.

• Forward Camel with change of edge- this spin starts off as a regular camel spin. Then the skater changes back to a forward outside edge and continues to spin in small forward outside circles and then switches back to a regular camel spin. This move requires a lot of control and power