Backspola

Backspola is a term used primarily in Swedish to describe moving playback backward in audio or video content. It is formed from back- (“back”) and spola (“to spool” or “to move backward”). In English, the closest equivalents are rewind or backward seek.

In digital media players and streaming services, backspola is achieved by a backward control, keyboard shortcuts, or scrubbing the progress bar. Some platforms offer fixed backwards jumps (such as 5 or 10 seconds); others allow continuous scrubbing to an earlier point. The function is used to review dialogue, catch details, or confirm information.

Historically, the concept originated with analog media such as tapes and videotapes, where physical rewinding was necessary. In modern digital systems, backspola is achieved by time-shifting within buffered data, and its behavior depends on the device, app, and network conditions.

The feature supports accessibility and learning, but may be constrained by user interface design or streaming quality. While the term is common in Swedish-language contexts, the underlying function is widely understood in international media contexts as rewind or backward seeking.