The half-ass layback position

[all_empty]

A very nice layback position from Mao Asada, one with a great arch in her back and great lean in her sideways position:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPbb...eature=related

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nasd...eature=related (3:36)

Also unusual because she looks down (Kimmie Meissner did this as well).

This is also a good example of an age-appropriate program for a young teen; much better than the "Baby Carmen" and twinkly "Nutcracker" she did the follow year.

[David21]

Entschuldigung, but you seem to have missed the part of my post where I gave her credit for the arch. Whatever. You seem to like it, I don't, end of, who cares?

I didn't miss that part but it seems that you didn't get my point. And I do care about things like that.

[IceAlisa]

Many critics complained about Sylvie Guillem (probably the best ballet dancer the world has ever seen) that she was too flexible and was just showing off. I never understood those comments (likewise I don't understand yours about arching less and not turning out so much. Not a dig, I just don't understand . To me it's like saying Patrick Chan's quad is too high or too clean). Every dancer I know would kill to have Sylvie Guillems technique/flexibility/body. I can pretty much guarantee that 99% of girl skaters would kill for Sasha's flexibility/body/layback.

La mariée est trop belle.

Yukina's back is out of this world-ly flexible, which also makes her for a wonderful ina bauer. Shame about her injury and jumping issues. She was so beautiful to watch and oh so promising back in 2003-4 ish. She is probably the most musical Japanese lady skater.

ITA. Ota remains my absolute favorite Japanese skater, short career non-withstanding.

[sarakimm]

I agree.

Sasha Cohen of course has one of the best laybacks in the business:
Sasha Cohen 2004 Worlds - SP

This clip illustrates the point of another thread regarding camera work. Here we have one of the most beautiful spins in skating and what do we see -- a fleeting glimpse of her beautiful back and leg positions, and then a close up where we see virtually nothing of the spin.

[Scintillation]

I have to thank this thread for a) reminding me just how damn good Angela Nikidinov was overall and b) causing me to go on yet another youtube Sylvie Guillem marathon. I worship that woman. She is AMAZING.
I think of all the layback videos I watched, my personal favorite has to be Naomi Nari Nam's. She had everything-speed, high leg position, and a beautiful back. Dorothy Hamill is a close second for me--hers is the most ethereal to watch. Sasha's was great but I always was disappointed when she didn't hold the first beautiful classic position, and went in to another position that wasn't nearly as aesthetically pleasing.

[Macassar88]

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Z...J3C_DKyLIl.jpg
This is a really good example of the arch

[Marco]

A very nice layback position from Mao Asada, one with a great arch in her back and great lean in her sideways position:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPbb...eature=related

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nasd...eature=related (3:36)

Also unusual because she looks down (Kimmie Meissner did this as well).

This is also a good example of an age-appropriate program for a young teen; much better than the "Baby Carmen" and twinkly "Nutcracker" she did the follow year.

I love it when she would arch her back like that. She also had a similar but prettier position circa 2009, but decided to scrap it for one that is easier for her to obtain level 4. Boo.

[Marco]

A little bit of trivia: Caroline Zhang was the first lady to get full score for the layback: level 4 and +3 across the board.

Here is her 30 rev layback at 2 min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7QSZbv7vVA and her most difficult and complicated layback spin ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQhf7...youtu.be&t=13s

[Macassar88]

A little bit of trivia: Caroline Zhang was the first lady to get full score for the layback: level 4 and +3 across the board.

Here is her 30 rev layback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7QSZ...outu.be&t=2m0s and her most difficult and complicated layback spin ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQhf7...youtu.be&t=12s

Neither of those links work

[monty]

I always get a little teary-eyed when I watch baby NCubed skate. What could have been. We were all cheated but most especially Nam. Big sigh and back to cleaning the attic.

[Marco]

Neither of those links work

Fixed

[smarts1]

A very nice layback position from Mao Asada, one with a great arch in her back and great lean in her sideways position:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPbb...eature=related

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nasd...eature=related (3:36)

Also unusual because she looks down (Kimmie Meissner did this as well).

This is also a good example of an age-appropriate program for a young teen; much better than the "Baby Carmen" and twinkly "Nutcracker" she did the follow year.

It makes me to see a young Mao. She jumped triple axels like they were double axels. Absolutely no preparation for the takeoff and she somehow had the spring to do it. It's really a shame she didn't have a great coaching situation between 2006-2010 because she should be an Olympic champion (and all of this is coming from someone who initially did not like her skating 5 years ago).

[iarispiralllyof]

It makes me to see a young Mao. She jumped triple axels like they were double axels. Absolutely no preparation for the takeoff and she somehow had the spring to do it. It's really a shame she didn't have a great coaching situation between 2006-2010 because she should be an Olympic champion (and all of this is coming from someone who initially did not like her skating 5 years ago).

or not. we live in a world where midori ito isn't an olympic champion. potential really means very little if you can't pull it off on a very specific day that happens once every 4 years

[CantALoop]

This skater on Youtube has an unusual but gorgeous variation on a sideways leaning spin with a free leg that starts very nicely turned out.

[mysticchic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r01lGc9ARkQ Megan Oster had a beauty of one

[Karpenko]

A little bit of trivia: Caroline Zhang was the first lady to get full score for the layback: level 4 and +3 across the board.

Here is her 30 rev layback at 2 min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7QSZbv7vVA and her most difficult and complicated layback spin ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQhf7...youtu.be&t=13s

That last layback spin... There will never be one that tops it. I just, gah its unbelievable. I really want Caroline to work hard and get her due, the talent in that one spin is just holy potatoes.

[Lavergne100]

I know she never really attained a classic turned-out foot, but this is one time I simply don't care.

This layback is still gorgeous IMO, no matter what Dick says.

Lucinda Ruh - 1997 Worlds SP

And no woman can match the arch in Lucinda's back.

Here it's practically parallel to the ice.

Lucinda Ruh - 2000 World Pro

Lucinda Ruh was the best female spinner EVER in my opinion. The speed and the perfect positions were undervalued.