Question: Do Figure Skaters Ever Spot Their Spins Like Dancers Do?
Most people know that figure skaters do not "spot" spins the same way that dancers do, but some people say that skaters never spot spins. That is not completely true.
Answer: Dancers use a technique called "spotting" to help prevent dizziness after pirouettes. As a dancer spins, they will keep their heads and eyes focused on a fixed spot.
Figure skaters use the spotting technique in a different way.
During a spin, a skater becomes aware of the rink around him. He does not "spot," but, during the spin, will look for a fixed place in the rink to prepare for the spin's exit. Then, when the skater completes the spin and exits, he or she will stare at that fixed point. The rink will "still be moving" during the exit, but by looking at that fixed point, dizziness does not occur.
Note: It does benefit figure skaters to learn how to spot when they participate in ballet classes geared for figure skaters or when they take part in classes at a traditional ballet school.
