Tutorials: Pole Spins

Tutorials: Pole Spins

**To reduce the risk of injury, make sure you have warmed up prior to participating in these videos. Always check that your pole is secure and properly installed, listen to your body, and use your best judgment. Participate at your own risk.**

Understanding how to create momentum is the key to being successful in your spins and dance turns. You should be comfortable with the basic step around/dip around dance turn and have a good understanding of how to create momentum. This video breaks down the foundations and techniques you will need to master before you should attempt any spins. *These techniques are for static mode (non-spinning poles), but these techniques are also needed for understanding control in spin mode too.

Spin Progressions, Options & Variations

Tips for pole spin success:

Protect your shoulders! You should never be hanging on your shoulders in a spin. The shoulders should be engaged by rolling them back and down, lifting the chest, and "sliding the shoulder blades into your back pocket".
Think about "driving the pole into the floor"
Spin progression should always follow the "more to less" point of contact (POC) rules: 2-hands with leg contact > 1-hand with leg contact > 2-hands with no leg contact > 1-hand with no leg contact
The basic version of the spin should always be mastered first before attempting any variations, spin combos, or direction changes.
Learn to spin on a static pole before working on a spin pole (these require different techniques, strength, and control).
RED FLAGS: "wrist breaks", "push" grips, hyperextended elbows, and shoulders up by your ears--all are risks for injury!

This instructional video covers the basic fireman spin technique which is typically the first spin taught by most pole instructors and is a foundation spin. *You should be comfortable with the basic step around/dip around dance turn and have a good understanding of how to create momentum. Please watch the "creating momentum video prior to attempting this spin.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: OL

POC: Ankles and gentle inner thigh squeeze just above the knees

Spin Group: OL Spins, Beginner

This is the instructional video for the straight-leg fireman/martini spin. This spin can be taken to the floor for floorwork or you can land on your feet and transition back up. *This spin is a variation to the fireman spin and is also ok as a first spin to learn/teach.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: OL

POC: Ankle and gentle inner thigh squeeze just above the knees

Spin Group: OL Spins, Beginner

This is the instructional video for the stag/double attitude spin and includes a drill to perform to help you master this spin. This spin can be a bit more difficult for beginners as it is almost an "off-the-pole" spin and has very little contact. Only the outside heel has contact with the pole so this spin requires a good understanding of how to create momentum to pull you out and away from the pole. *You should be comfortable with creating momentum and be strong in your basic OL fireman spin at least.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: OL and whipping back of the IL

POC: Outside ankle/heel hook (or back of the knee/calf)

Spin Group: OL Spins, Beginner/Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the double knee spin. Once the IL makes contact with the pole, you can either stay grounded (leave your feet on the ground and sit back into it) as you bring the legs in to pinch the pole (a good option for someone not comfortable lifting off the ground yet) or once the IL tags the pole, you can lift both legs up and into the tucked position as shown in this video. *In spin pole, you are holding a pose while the pole spins (vs you spinning around the pole), so this is a good spin to use to learn spin pole technique and gain strength & control.

Grip: Half-bracket (facing the pole)

Momentum: OL

POC: Inner thighs (just above the knees, not boney part)

Spin Group: Carousel Spins, Spins, Beginner

*This spin could be thought of as an OL spin because of where the momentum comes from, but I think of this spin as an IL spin because I allow my IL to tag the pole first before bringing the OL in to meet it.

This instructional video includes the technique for the inner thigh/pike spin with the option to land on the floor and transition to floor work or landing on your feet for a sexy up. It is basically a progression from the straight-leg fireman/martini and the DB knee spins. The legs can be straight out/pike or more in a V (like a martini spin with â??olives hanging on your toesâ?). *You should be comfortable with the basic martini/straight-leg fireman spin prior to attempting this spin.

Grip: Half-bracket (facing the pole)

Momentum: OL

POC: inner thighs (just above the knees, not boney part)

Spin Group: Carousel Spins/OL Spins, Intermediate

This instructional video includes the basic drag & fly spin technique, plus 1-hand options, and a â??drag, fly, switchâ? option to challenge you.

Grip: Basic or 1-handed

Momentum: Your body leaning out and away as you tip into the spin

POC: IL, heel hook, or back of the knee

Spin Group: IL Spins, Beginner/Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the front hook closed spin. In this spin, you want to keep the knees together and your butt back in a tucked (closed) position. I teach this with two options: both legs on the front or one on the front/one of the back of the pole as in the BH closed spin. *The BH closed spin is easier and I usually teach the BH spin before the FH spin.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: OL swinging out, around, and then in to meet the IL (creating the â??out to in speeds you upâ? effect)

POC: Back of the inside ankle/calf (if both legs on the front of the pole) or back of the inside ankle and top of the outside ankle (if one on the front/one of the back of the pole option)

Spin Group: IL Spins, Beginner

This is the instructional video for the FH & Whip spin and this is a variation to the basic FH closed spin. The momentum and power used to create the â??whipâ? is the â??ampedâ? up version of the technique you use in the basic FH closed, so you want to be comfortable with that first.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: IL step and hook and then the OL whipping out, around, and in to meet the other leg as you sit your butt back

POC: Back of the inside knee/calf/ankle

Spin Group: IL Spins, Beginner/Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the fire-up spin/climb. You can use this spin option to challenge your strength and basic fireman, add some “up/down” flair to your spin, or you can use this option to take you up the pole and into a pole stand and pose etc. *You should be comfortable with your basic fireman spin, pole stand/T, and climbing prior to attempting this option.

Grip: Basic to Narrow Grip (NG) Bent Arms

Momentum: OL swing and hook then from the “out to in” effect of pushing up to stand (body away from the pole to in close to the pole)

POC: Same as fireman spin

Spin Group: OL spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the reverse chair spin to BH open combination (“Rotating chair”). You should be comfortable with both the chair spin and the BH open spin prior to attempting this combination.

Grip: Half-bracket (forward-facing) to a stronghold grip

Momentum: OL and pushing off of the IL for the chair part of the spin and then once you reverse, it is from the “out to in” motion from hooking the leg and pushing the hips forward

POC: No leg contact until you reverse, then it is the back of the IL

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Spin Combinations, Interm/Adv

This is the instructional video for the chair spin and variations. This is an intermediate/advanced spin because it is an “off the pole” spin (no leg contact). You should be strong in 1-handed basic spins (ex. 1-handed fireman) and 2-handed basic spins with no leg contact (ex. 2-handed fireman with no leg contact).

Grip: Half-bracket (forward-facing) *No push grip, watch out for “wrist breaking”

Momentum: OL swinging out and around and pushing off with the IL

POC: None

Spin Group: Half-bracket (forward-facing) Spins, OL spins (Momentum from OL), Interm/Adv

This is the instructional video for the carousel straddle options. This is an intermediate/advanced spin because this is an “off the pole” spin (no leg contact). This spin is also more difficult because not only are your legs off the pole, but you are holding them out and away from the pole. You should be strong in 1-handed basic spins and 2-handed spins with no leg contact and have a very strong understanding of how to create momentum to pull you out and away to support your spin.

Grip: Forearm wrap/brace, Half-bracket, Full bracket *No push grip, watch for “wrist breaking”

Momentum: OL swinging out and pushing off with the IL

POC: None

Spin Group: Half-bracket Carousel, OL Spins, Interm/Adv

This is the instructional video for the carousel spin fang/arch (angel spin) options. This is an intermediate/advanced spin because this is an “off the pole” spin (no leg contact). This spin is also more difficult because not only are your legs off the pole, but you are holding them back and away from the pole. You should be strong in 1-handed basic spins and 2-handed spins with no leg contact and have a very strong understanding of how to create momentum to pull you out and away to support your spin.

Grip: Forearm wrap/brace, Half-bracket, Full bracket *No push grip, watch for “wrist breaking”

Momentum: OL swinging out and pushing off with the IL

POC: None

Spin Group: Half-bracket Carousel, OL Spins, Interm/Adv

This is the instructional video for the cradle/tuck spin from the floor (low lift spin). You should be comfortable with your basic cradle/tuck spin and have the strength to lift up into the spin from the floor. Low lift spins are a great option for transitioning back up from the floor.

Grip: Forearm press, IA low/OA high

Momentum: OL and pushing off with the IL, then the “out to in” effect from bringing the legs into the horizontal tuck

POC: “cradle the pole in the belly

Spin Group: Horizontal spins, Low lift spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the fireman spin from the floor (low lift spin). You should be comfortable with your basic fireman and have the strength to lift up into the spin from the floor. Low lift spins are a great option for transitioning back up from the floor.

Grip: Basic

Momentum: OL swinging and the top of the inside foot pushing off the floor

POC: same as basic fireman or no contact option

Spin Group: OL spins, Low lift spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the spin combo/dance turn--DB attitude/stag step-thru. You should be comfortable with the DB attitude/stag spin and floating the legs off the pole (off-the-pole spins) prior to attempting this option.

Grip: Basic. Half-bracket

Momentum: OL, then the IL stepping through

POC: Outside heel and/or no leg contact

Spin Group: OL Spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the front hook and roll spin. This spin is intermediate because the body is horizontally spinning around the pole.

Grip: 2-hands/thumbs up above the top knee or 1-handed basic, or one hand above the top knee and one hand below the top knee (thumbs up). The lead arm should be about shoulder height so you are horizontal.

Momentum: Leaning the body horizontally out and away as you tip forward bringing the OA from reaching out to pulling into the tuck position.

POC: Back of the inside knee (“knee pit”) and the top of the outside thigh

Spin Group: Horizontal Spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the front hook open spin. In this spin, you want to keep your knees open and your hips pushed forward in the open position. *The BH open spin is easier than this one, so I recommend working on that one first. I teach the BH open before this spin too.

Grip: Basic or 1-handed

Momentum: IL stepping forward and around into the FH, the hips pushing forward, and the OL pushing off and whipping back to meet the inside foot ("kiss" the toes)

POC: Back of the IL

Spin Group: IL Spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the back hook open spin. In this spin, you want to keep your knees open and your hips pushed forward in the open position. You could take this spin to the floor on your knees or come out of it early and land on your feet. If you step out of this spin on your OL, that would be the elbow dance turn (see in the dance turn library).

Grip: Basic grip reverse to a stronghold grip

Momentum: OL swing and pivot and then once backward, it is the OL drawing a big circle out and in to meet the other foot. You can just use the weight of the leg or really whip that leg back--out to in, to create the momentum.

POC: Back of the knee

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Beginner/Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the reverse double attitude/stag spin. This is an interm/adv move because it is an "off the pole" spin (has no leg contact with the pole).

Grip: Strong hold

Momentum: OL swing, plant, and pivoting back, then from whipping the new OL back and into the attitude position

POC: None

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Interm/Adv

This instructional video is for the leaning cup spin and variations. There is also a dance turn variation of this spin (check it out in the “dance turn” library).

Grip: Cup Grip

Momentum: Leaning out and letting your body weight pull you into the spin as you tip forward. Imagine the OL dragging behind you as the IL hooks the pole. The “out to in” of the body coming into the tuck option will also speed you up.

POC: The back of the IL

Spin Group: IL Spins, Intermediate

This is the instructional video for the back hook closed spin. In this spin, you want to keep the knees together and sit your butt back into a tucked (closed) position. It can be done by standing on the side of the pole and tipping backward or by stepping around with the OL and then letting your butt pull you back into the spin.

Grip: Basic grip

*Note: if you are just tipping backward into it, your IA is the high arm, but if you step around and pivot backward into it, your OA will be the high hand (reverse basic grip).

Momentum: Swiveling your butt out, around, and back (let your booty do the work).

POC: Back of the ankles/calf

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Beginner

This move can be used as a dance turn or as a spin, so there is a lot covered in this instructional video! This is an intermediate spin because the body is horizontally spinning around the pole. There are a few grip options and leg variations to this spin, as well as the option to spin to the floor, step out of it as a dance turn, or even take it to an invert.

Grip: Stronghold/Forearm brace or full bracket

Momentum: Swinging the OL out and around as you bring the IL up, whipping both legs from “out to in” into the horizontal tucked position

POC: inside thigh as the legs tuck into “cradle” the pole in your belly

Spin Group: Horizontal Spins, Interm/Adv

The back spiral can be used as a dance turn or a spin. In this instructional video, I will teach you the techniques for both. This is an interm/adv move because it is an "off the pole" spin (has no leg contact with the pole). As a dance turn, one foot stays grounded and the spin isn’t taken to the floor vs the spin options, where both legs are lifted up and either spin to the floor or lifted up and into a spinning invert (if already comfortable with inverts.)

Grip: Strong Hold

Momentum: Swinging OL around, plant and pivot backward, lifting and whipping the legs into the direction of the spin.

POC: None. The back should "spiral" the pole

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Intermediate/Advanced

Grip: Strong Hold

Momentum: Swinging OL around, plant and pivot backward, lifting and whipping the legs into the direction of the spin.

POC: None. The back should "spiral" the pole

Spin Group: Reverse Spins, Intermediate/Advanced

Resources & Bonuses

Here are some helpful tips & videos.

Video: Watch out for "wrist breaks" and other pole no no's!
Video: Pole Spins, Open vs Closed

Video: Spin Up From The Floor

Video: Let Your Booty Do the Work--Tips for your BH Closed Spin

PDF: Grip & Leg Variations

PDF: Spin Progressions