# Death Spirals and Pair Spins · Figure Skating Level 5: Upper-Intermediate

Figure Skating · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/level-5/death-spirals-and-pair-spins/)

Death Spirals and Pair Spins in Figure Skating (Level 5: Upper-Intermediate) on Insporta: 20 sourced facts behind 2 tests. Covers: death spirals.

The four death spirals, low positions and timing, pair spin positions and entries.

## Test 1: Death spirals

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 2: Pair spins

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- A change of foot needs at least three continuous revolutions before and after it. (Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27)
- 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)
- 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)

Sources: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27; ISU Communication 2788 (2026/27); ISU Handbook for Referees & Judges 2026/27; Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021). Original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Pair element rules and program requirements belong to Pair Skating Rules; level features and base values are season values and are not keyed.

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