US Trends

can you do a backflip in figure skating

Yes, you can do a backflip in figure skating today, but only under specific conditions, and it comes with big safety and scoring caveats.

Quick Scoop

  • Backflips were banned in figure skating competitions in 1977 for being too dangerous and for not landing in a “proper” way on one skate.
  • Skaters kept doing them in shows and exhibitions , where the rules are looser and crowd-pleasing tricks are encouraged.
  • Around 2024, the International Skating Union (ISU) updated its rules so that backflips could be performed again within specific choreographic sequences, but they still don’t earn base jump points like normal jumps.
  • Modern elite skaters have started slipping legal backflips into programs at some events and shows, fueling a lot of fan debate online.

So: yes, you can do a backflip on figure skates, but whether you’re allowed to do it in a competition depends on the exact event rules, and it’s not a smart idea for most skaters.

A (Very) Short History of the Backflip

  • In 1976, American skater Terry Kubicka did a backflip at the Winter Olympics and landed it legally, becoming the first to do so on that stage.
  • In 1977, the ISU banned backflips as “illegal elements,” citing safety concerns and the fact that they didn’t respect the principle of landing on one blade.
  • Despite the ban, stars like Scott Hamilton and others kept using backflips in ice shows, where the risk is accepted as part of the spectacle.
  • In 1998, Surya Bonaly famously did a backflip at the Nagano Olympics, landing on one foot as a rebellious statement, even though she knew it would be penalized.

That mix of danger, rebellion, and showmanship is why the backflip became almost mythic in figure skating culture.

What the Rules Look Like Now

The rules have shifted recently, which is why you’re seeing “latest news” and forum threads asking if backflips are really back.

In competition

  • The ISU long treated backflips as illegal elements : if you did one, you could be penalized, and it wouldn’t count for points.
  • Recent rule changes opened the door for acrobatic moves like backflips to appear inside choreographic sequences , where they are allowed but do not have a set jump value.
  • That means a skater can sometimes include a backflip to boost overall impression, but it won’t help their technical base value the way a triple or quad jump does.

In shows and exhibitions

  • In ice shows, tours, and gala exhibitions, backflips are much more common because scoring rules aren’t the main concern.
  • Skaters and coaches acknowledge the risk but also know that audiences love seeing a big acrobatic flip mid-program.

In short: the more “official” and high-stakes the event, the more carefully regulated the backflip is.

How a Skater Actually Does a Backflip

Backflips on ice are not just “try what gymnasts do, but on blades.” They have a specific technique adapted to skates.

A common version (often associated with Surya Bonaly) looks like this:

  1. The skater enters going backward on the ice.
  2. They swing both arms upward to generate vertical momentum.
  3. They bend (dip) the takeoff knee to load power into the leg.
  4. They kick the free leg backward and up to start the backward rotation.
  5. While in the air, the skater inverts completely, rotating in a full somersault.
  6. They complete the rotation and land—either on both feet, or in the more difficult variation, cleanly on one foot.

Because blades are thin and the ice is unforgiving, timing and body position have to be nearly perfect.

Safety, Training, and Why It Was Banned

The ban was never just about “this looks too flashy”; it was heavily about injury risk.

  • A skater’s head passes very close to the ice during the somersault, so a bad takeoff or under-rotation can lead to serious neck or spinal injuries.
  • There are documented cases of amateur skaters suffering severe, even paralysing injuries trying to learn backflips on ice.
  • To learn the move safely, skaters use:
    • Overhead harnesses or ropes attached to belts
    • Helmets and sometimes padded gear
    • Coaches specifically trained in acrobatic spotting, not just standard jump technique

Even elite skaters who can do backflips generally treat them as a special trick, not a routine training element, because the risk-to-reward ratio is so high.

Why Everyone’s Talking About It Again

Recently, the backflip has started resurfacing as a trending topic in figure skating circles.

  • Media stories and explainers from late 2024 onward highlight how the move, once completely banned, is now tiptoeing back into the rulebook.
  • High-level skaters have landed backflips at international competitions like the Lombardia Trophy and in European events, sparking viral clips and fan debate.
  • Online forums like r/FigureSkating feature threads where fans and casual viewers argue about whether backflips “belong” in the sport, whether they’re overhyped, and whether the new rules are fair.

You’ll often see two camps emerge:

  • People who love the move because it “looks cool” and draws new fans in.
  • Purists who feel that acrobatics distract from the edge work, spins, and traditional jump technique that define figure skating.

That tension—sport vs spectacle—is at the heart of almost every backflip discussion.

Practical Answer: Should You Do One?

If your real question behind “can you do a backflip in figure skating” is “could I learn one?” the realistic answer is:

  • Only consider it if you are already a very advanced skater with strong jump technique and edge control.
  • Only train it with:
    • A qualified coach who has experience with acrobatics on ice
    • Proper safety equipment (harness, helmet, controlled environment)
  • Understand that even if you master it, it may:
    • Be restricted in competitions
    • Not give you extra points
    • Mainly serve as a showpiece move for exhibitions and special programs

So yes, people can and do backflips in figure skating—but it’s a high-risk specialist move, not a normal trick to casually copy from a viral clip.

Mini SEO Extras

  • Focus keyword used: “can you do a backflip in figure skating” appears naturally in explanations and section topics.
  • Meta-style summary: Backflips in figure skating were banned for decades due to safety concerns and scoring philosophy, but evolving rules now allow them in limited forms, stirring up new fan and forum debates.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.