page_title: Layback spin
section_title: Technique
hierarchical_section_title: Layback spin / Technique
caption_attribution_description: Русский: Марка СССРEnglish: USSR stamp
context_page_description: A layback spin is an upright figure skating spin in which the head and shoulders are dropped backwards and the back arched downwards toward the ice. A common variation has the free leg lifted toward the back, typically in an attitude position, with the arms held above the body, or with a catchfoot position. A common, though very difficult, variation is the Biellmann spin.
context_section_description: The iconic layback position is one in which the torso is bent backwards, the free leg lifted, and the arms extended above the torso, bent in an approximation of a circle. This creates a unique impression during the spin. This position has become iconic of figure skating, showing up in logos and banners promoting figure skating events, including the Olympic Games.
  A layback spin can also be performed with the torso leaning more towards the side, in which case it is known as a side layback or sideways-leaning spin. Both backwards and sideways-leaning positions in a layback spin are considered a feature that adds difficulty under the ISU Judging System.
caption: The layback spin used as an iconic image to represent figure skating.
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