Death Spirals and Pair Spins

In the backward inside death spiral she leans backwards or forwards to the ice on a firm back inside edge.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

It is the same as the forward inside death spiral except that the woman circles on a firm forward outside edge.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

In outside death spirals her head must not be higher than her skating knee; inside ones also need the lowest hip that low.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The revolutions begin when the man's toe for the pivot is stationary on the ice.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The exit starts when the man bends his holding arm at the elbow and ends when the woman is vertical again.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Going onto the boot or knee is the conclusion of the death spiral; the panel also decides whether it was a fall.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Death spiral bullets start with very good positions of both partners, then flow and speed through entry and exit.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The entry curve leads in; revolutions count once his toe is anchored; the exit starts as his arm bends.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

Once his arm bends she comes up out of the spiral; the exit is over when she stands upright.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

Only in B is the head at or below the knee line; A, C and D hold it above.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

A pair spin combination needs at least one change of foot and one change of position by both partners.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

In that pair sit position her basic sit counts once her skating knee is bent 90 degrees or more.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Both partners in sit with free legs fully extended forward is difficult only when the skating knees are very deeply bent.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

Both partners skate back outside or back inside and turn their first two revolutions on that edge, with no turns before.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The woman may be lifted during the pair spin if the man stays on one foot for two revolutions.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The rotation must be continuous; only a short stop when changing direction together with the change of foot is allowed.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

The pair spin bullets start with good control throughout by both partners, then speed or acceleration.

Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27 · recall

A change of foot needs at least three continuous revolutions before and after it.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

Both directions need at least three revolutions each, and the only stop allowed is a short one at the change.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied

B stops once, just where the spin changes direction. A and D stop in the middle of one direction, C stops twice.

Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27 · applied