Forward/back outside parallel spins

Question
Hiya, I've been roller skating for years now, unfortunately though, I'm no longer competing due to knee problems.
I have a question about parallel spins. I can do both forward and back outside upright spins very well and have a good edge, yet have trouble maintaining these edges in my parallel spins.
I think my weight is in the right place and alignment is satisfactory, but I have a problem in the three-turn position (I don't think my free-leg is high enough) and think I need more speed.
I'm not sure if I'm correct in saying this, but it does seem that this is where the fault lies.
For example, on my forward outside parallel, I make fast turns like a heartbeat as we've been taught and push from the last forward turn straight onto the outside edge, but if I'm lucky I'll only get about 2-3 turns and it's a struggle.
I'd be so grateful for any advice ^.^
Thank you for your time,
Jo.

Answer
Hi Jo,
 I really don't know much about freestyle because I teach dance and figures but one thing that's a standard rule for any discipline that you skate is..........If you're not over the skate the edge will drag and be sluggish.

  You said you felt that your weight is in the right place and you felt that your alignment is satisfactory?

   Your weight is probably in the right place but I would imagine your upper body isn't holding enough lean to create a clean edge.  

   Your leg not being high enough could be a possible answer but I think it has more to do with your free side hip being carried to low.  

It's a cause and effect type answer.  Such as:

1) If the leg is carried to low it will possibly cause the hip to be to low, which will cause your outside edge to either go flat or change slightly to an inside edge.  Therefore putting a drag on the edge making it sluggish.

2) But since we know you can do a clean/proper/fast spin with the leg carried low intentionally....the cause of the sluggishness may be coming from your upper body not being aligned over the employed skate.

So, to make a long story short.......try these 2 things and your spin should pick up some speed and continue to spin longer:

 1)  Going into your spin, make sure you have a good lean..which should start from your ankle on up through your head.  Get your nose over the employed skate.

 2)  Make sure your free side shoulder and hip are higher than your employed side shoulder and hip.

I have a feeling that when you step into your spin you level up instead of holding a strong lean to support a strong outside edge.

Good Luck......I'm sure you will get it.  

Pat