How to Increase Spin Speed

Kaori Sakamoto © Pinterest

Why Fast Spins Matter

Whether you’re a figure skater, dancer, rhythmic gymnast, or artistic gymnast, faster spins can dramatically improve the quality and appearance of a performance.

A fast spin looks more controlled, more difficult, and often earns higher scores from judges. However, many athletes focus only on spinning harder when the real solution lies in technique.

Increasing spin speed is usually about efficiency, body position, and balance rather than strength alone.

The Science Behind Faster Spins

One of the most important principles behind spinning is reducing the distance between your body mass and your axis of rotation.

When athletes pull their arms and free leg closer to their body, they rotate faster because their body becomes more compact.

You can observe this in figure skating spins, gymnastics pirouettes, and ballet turns.

Small adjustments often create surprisingly large changes in rotational speed.

Balance Comes First

Many athletes try to spin faster before they can consistently stay centered.

This usually creates wobbling, traveling, or loss of control.

Before focusing on speed, make sure you can:

• Hold your balance comfortably.
• Stay centered throughout the spin.
• Maintain a stable core position.
• Keep your head aligned.

A stable spin naturally allows greater speed.

Use Your Core Correctly

Strong core muscles help transfer energy efficiently during rotation.

However, “tight” does not mean rigid.

The best spinners maintain core engagement while allowing smooth movement through the shoulders and hips.

Excess tension often slows rotation.

Keep Your Axis Straight

Every spin revolves around an invisible vertical line called the axis.

If the body leans forward, backward, or sideways, energy is lost.

Many athletes who struggle with spin speed actually have good rotational power but poor axis control.

Video analysis often reveals small alignment errors that are difficult to feel during practice.

Famous Example Analysis: Kaori Sakamoto

A great example of efficient spinning is Kaori Sakamoto.

Although she is best known for her powerful skating skills and jumps, her spins demonstrate excellent centering and body control. When analyzing her spin technique, one noticeable feature is how stable her axis remains throughout the rotation. Her upper body stays organized while her core remains engaged, allowing her to maintain speed without excessive effort.

Another interesting aspect of Sakamoto’s spins is her consistency. Even under competition pressure, she rarely loses control of her center. This allows her to maintain rotation speed deep into the spin rather than slowing dramatically after the first few revolutions. Her technique shows that efficiency often matters more than forcing additional speed.

Improve Entry Quality

The quality of the entry strongly affects the entire spin.

A rushed or unstable entry creates problems that continue throughout the rotation.

Spend time practicing:

• Clean edge control.
• Smooth preparation.
• Controlled body positioning.
• Consistent timing.

Many athletes gain speed simply by improving their setup.

Train Faster Arm Movement

The speed at which you pull your arms into position can influence acceleration.

Practice moving from open positions into compact positions quickly while maintaining balance.

However, avoid throwing your arms aggressively, which can disrupt alignment.

The movement should be fast but controlled.

Strengthen Your Ankle Stability

Small ankle adjustments help maintain balance during rotation.

Exercises such as:

• Single-leg balance holds
• Relevés
• Balance board work
• Controlled turns

can improve stability and support faster spins.

Relax More

This advice surprises many athletes.

Trying too hard often makes spins slower.

Excess tension in the shoulders, neck, jaw, and arms creates resistance.

Elite athletes frequently appear relaxed even while rotating at high speeds.

The body should feel organized, not stiff.

Practice Spin Endurance

Some athletes can accelerate quickly but lose speed after several rotations.

To improve endurance:

• Practice longer spin holds.
• Focus on maintaining posture.
• Keep the same body shape throughout the spin.
• Train consistency rather than maximum speed every session.

Common Mistakes

Many athletes accidentally reduce their spin speed by:

• Dropping the free hip.
• Letting arms drift away from the body.
• Looking down.
• Leaning off-axis.
• Creating unnecessary tension.
• Entering the spin too aggressively.

Correcting these habits often produces immediate improvements.

Fast spins are built on strong fundamentals.

The athletes with the fastest rotations are not always the strongest—they are often the most efficient.

Focus on balance, alignment, core control, and consistency before chasing more speed.

When technique improves, speed often follows naturally.

A centered spin that accelerates smoothly will always look more impressive than a fast spin that lacks control.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer