# Layback spin

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{{Short description|Element in figure skating}}
{{Infobox Figure Skating Element
|image= Layback spin (Nikodinov).png
|imagesize= 90px
|caption= 
|element name= Layback spin
|alt name= 
|scoring abbrev= LSp
|element type= [Upright spin](/source/Upright_spin)
|edges= 
|take off edge= 
|landing edge= 
|inventor= [Cecilia Colledge](/source/Cecilia_Colledge)
|named for= 
|disciplines= 
}}

A '''layback spin''' is a variation of the [upright spin](/source/upright_spin), a [spin in figure skating](/source/figure_skating_spin). British figure skater [Cecilia Colledge](/source/Cecilia_Colledge) was "responsible for the invention"{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=107}} of the spin and the first to execute it.{{Sfn|Hines|2006|p=112}} Colledge's coach, Jacques Gerschwiler, who was a former gymnastics teacher and according to Colledge "very progressive in his ideas",{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=107}} got the idea for the upright spin while watching one of Colledge's trainers, a former circus performer turned acrobatics instructor, train Colledge to perform backbends "by means of a rope tied around her waist".{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=107}} The upright spin has long been associated with women's skating, but men have also performed it. Skaters include it in their programs because it increases their technical content and fulfills choreographic needs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Petkevich |first=John Misha |url= |title=Sports Illustrated Figure Skating: Championship Techniques |publisher=Sports Illustrated |year=1988 |isbn=978-1-4616-6440-6 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=154 |oclc=815289537}}</ref>

The layback spin is executed by holding the free leg in a back attitude position and arching the head and upper body backward so that the skater faces up towards the sky, ceiling, or further.{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=281}} The free leg position is optional.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Special Regulations & Technical Rules: Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance 2024 |url=https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net/isudamcontainer/CMS/Corporate-Site/Sports-Rules/Figure-Skating-Rules/Constitution-and-Special-Regulations/2024SpecialRegulationSPandIceDanceandTechnicalRulesSPandIDFinalrev0853339001741256957-7689.pdf |access-date=7 October 2025 |publisher=International Skating Union |page=104}}</ref> A variation of the layback spin is the '''[Biellmann spin](/source/Biellmann_spin)''', made popular by world champion [Denise Biellmann](/source/Denise_Biellmann), which the [International Skating Union](/source/International_Skating_Union) (ISU), the organization that governs figure skating, considers a difficult variation of the layback spin. It is executed by the skater grabbing their free blade and pulling the heel of their boot behind and above the level of the head so that their legs are in an approximate full split, with the head and back arched upward.{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=281}}{{Sfn|Kestnbaum|2003|p=281}} The spin "requires much strength and extreme flexibility".{{Sfn|Hines|2006|p=227}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Catch foot layback.jpg|alt=|{{center|Catch foot layback spin<br><small>([Jelena Glebova](/source/Jelena_Glebova))</small>}}
File:Mirai Nagasu Spin 2007 JGP USA.jpg|{{center|Catch foot layback spin<br><small>([Mirai Nagasu](/source/Mirai_Nagasu))</small>}}
File:Zhang 2008TEB by Carmichael.jpg|{{center|Catch foot layback spin<br><small>([Caroline Zhang](/source/Caroline_Zhang))</small>}}
File:Angela Nikodinov 2.jpg|{{center|<small>([Angela Nikodinov](/source/Angela_Nikodinov))</small>}}
File:Angela Wang - 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki - 08.jpg|{{center|<small>([Angela Wang](/source/Angela_Wang))</small>}}
File:Bereswill 2008JGPFgala by Carmichael.jpg|{{center|<small>([Becky Bereswill](/source/Becky_Bereswill))</small>}}
File:Jennifer Kirk Layback 2003 NHK Trophy 2.jpg|{{center|<small>([Jennifer Kirk](/source/Jennifer_Kirk))</small>}}
File:Kim 094cc by Carmichael.jpg|{{center|<small>([Yuna Kim](/source/Yuna_Kim))</small>}}
File:Rachael Flatt Spin 2009 World Team Trophy.jpg|{{center|Layback spin<br><small>([Rachael Flatt](/source/Rachael_Flatt))</small>}}
File:Wagner 2009 WJC Layback spin.jpg|{{center|Layback spin<br><small>([Ashley Wagner](/source/Ashley_Wagner))</small>}}
File:Rohene Ward Layback.jpg|{{center|A man performs layback spin<br><small>([Rohene Ward](/source/Rohene_Ward))</small>}}
File:Diane Szmiett Spin 2008-2009 JGPF.jpg|{{center|"Haircutter" variation<br><small>(Diane Szmiett)</small>}}
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{Cite book |last=Hines |first=James R. |title=Figure Skating: A History |date=2006 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=978-0-252-07286-4 |location=Urbana, Illinois}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kestnbaum |first=Ellyn |title=Culture on Ice: Figure Skating and Cultural Meaning |date=2003 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |isbn=0819566411 |location=Middletown, Connecticut}}

{{commons category|Layback spins}}

{{Figure skating}}

Category:Figure skating elements

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Layback spin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layback_spin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layback_spin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.