Technical Focus: Mastering All Four Types of Three Turns. The Ryabinin Camps professional coaching team recognizes that Three Turns (Threes) are the core foundation of all advanced footwork and are essential for executing spins and jumps cleanly. Mastering them requires precision in body alignment and excellent edge control. This guide breaks down the technique for all four turns.

Essential Keys to Executing Perfect Three Turns
To ensure consistent and powerful execution of Three Turns, the Ryabinin Camps Team highlights the following general principles upon which every skater should focus:

Free Leg Placement: Close attention must be paid to where the free leg is positioned during each arc and transition. This action controls the torque needed for the turn and exit balance.

Shoulder and Arm Positioning: Proper shoulder and arm alignment must be maintained throughout the arc and the turn. Shoulders must remain level with the ice before the turn to control rotation.

Arc Symmetry: All arcs of the three-turn should be consistent in length and timing. Practice using a slow, steady count for each segment is recommended to achieve symmetry.

Detailed Technical Breakdown
The focus here is on the technical execution for each of the four turns:

1. Forward Inside Three Turn (FI 3): Focus on the ideal positioning of the free leg and shoulders. The push must be executed using the front part of the inside edge—never the toe pick! The transition must be clean and smooth.

2. Forward Outside Three Turn (FO 3): Observe the critical role of knee bend during every turn, which helps control flow. The push uses the middle of the inside edge (not the toe pick). The change of direction should happen through the toe (front-to-back) or heel (back-to-front).

3. Backward Inside Three Turn (BI 3): Maintaining the correct position of shoulders, arms, and free leg is required. Crucially, the back must be straight—avoid leaning forward at any point. The push is made with the front part of the inside edge; immediately after the push, the backward inside edge must be firmly established for control.

4. Backward Outside Three Turn (BO 3): Attention should be paid to the correct body carriage and free leg placement. The push is performed using the inside edge. Note that the knee extends and then bends again during each turn to absorb the rotation and maintain flow.

Elevate Your Performance with Ryabinin Camps
Perfecting your threes is essential for all figure skating levels! Apply these tips in your next training session.

If ready to master Three Turns and all core figure skating elements, the Ryabinin Camps Team invites you to train:

International Figure Skating Camps: During intensive on-ice training in premier European and Asian locations, the Ryabinin Camps Team utilizes video analysis and specialized equipment to perfect technique.

Online Training Classes: Maintaining conditioning and technical focus is possible with expert-led off-ice classes via ZOOM.

Book your spot now and take the next significant step in your figure skating journey!