What is a camel spin and when is it required?

A camel spin is one of the most elegant spins in figure skating—your skater rotates on one leg while extending the other leg behind them, creating that distinctive horizontal line from head to toe. It's named for the position's resemblance to a camel's hump, and when done well, it's absolutely mesmerizing to watch.

You'll start seeing camels required at the Intermediate level, where skaters need to demonstrate both a camel spin and a sit spin as separate elements in their programs. Before that, at Pre-Preliminary and Preliminary, the focus is on building foundational single-leg spins and sit spins. Once camels become required, judges expect clean entries, good centering over the skating foot, and ideally a change of foot to show versatility.

What makes camels tricky is the balance required. Unlike a sit spin where the skater's center of gravity stays relatively low and centered, the camel demands exceptional core strength and hip flexibility to maintain that extended leg position while staying upright. Many skaters find the entry challenging at first—it requires momentum and precise weight transfer.

The best way to prepare? Have your skater work on single-leg glides and basic spins now, focusing on posture and center. A strong foundation makes the camel's transition much smoother down the line.

Want to see this in your child's skating? SkateMarks analyzes every jump with per-second AI coaching notes.