What is a camel spin and when is it required?

The camel spin is one of the three "basic position" spins in figure skating, alongside the upright spin and the sit spin.

Body position:
- Skater spins on one foot (typically the right back outside edge for a CCW skater)
- Free leg is extended horizontally behind the body, parallel to the ice
- Upper body tilts forward to balance the back leg — head, hips, and free foot form roughly a horizontal line
- Arms typically extended for balance, often to the sides

Where it sits in the test track:
- Solo spins are required from Pre-Preliminary onward, though earlier levels accept various positions including the upright spin (most beginner-friendly)
- The camel as a SPECIFIC named element commonly appears as part of combination spins at later test levels
- Higher levels (Pre-Juvenile and up) generally include camel positions in combination spin requirements

Common errors:
- Free leg too low (below horizontal) — costs height and traveled distance
- Hip-leg alignment off (free leg twisted from hip) — looks awkward and is harder to maintain
- Back leg drops mid-spin — almost always a core/hip strength issue, not technique

Difficulty progression:
- Two-foot camel position (held while gliding, no spin yet) — practice on the floor first
- Single-foot camel glide — feel the balance
- Camel spin attempt — start with 2–3 revolutions
- Camel position spin holds 6+ revolutions for higher-level tests

The camel spin is one of the harder spins to learn cleanly because it depends as much on flexibility and core strength as on technique. Don't be discouraged if it takes longer than other spins.

Want to see whether your child's free leg is holding horizontal or sagging? SkateMarks captures the full spin and shows leg height frame by frame.