Nick Perna

Nick Perna is a National, International, and World coach and has been coaching for over 30 years. He’s been on the faculty of several Team USA Training Camps and has been instrumental in the development of many skating champions worldwide. His students have included Michael Weiss, Sasha Cohen and Sarah Hughes and all have benefited from his innovative coaching ideas and knowledge of the hand-held jump harness. Nick is a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist and a PSA Master Rated Instructor in Freestyle and Pairs. He’s also been a presenter at several PSA Conferences. Nick was a World Coach at the 2001 World Championships with Christine Lee.

Nick is perhaps most well known for his pioneering and promotional work with the hand-held jump harness. The hand-held harness, also called a pole harness, allows skaters to use their normal jump entries while providing safety, a sense of security, and added flight time when attempting difficult jumps. Nick has used the hand-held harness since it was created. In fact, because he’s been using the pole harness so often and for so long, almost everyone in the skating industry thinks he invented it.

Although Nick did not invent the hard-held harness, he has invented a number of other skating-related tools and equipment. He holds Patents on several different inventions, including his latest, the “Freedom Blade.” To learn more about his inventions, please see this article at About.com.

Nick has been teaching with Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger for over thirty years at the Fairfax Ice Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Nick is also a faculty member of Audrey Weisiger’s Grassroots to Champions seminar series. Nick regularly works with skaters from around the country and around the world.

Most recent videos at the top…

Running on the Ice (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna discusses the reason to learn to run on the ice and shows how to do it properly. Nick explains that for skaters who are afraid of going fast on the ice and are particularly afraid of going fast into jumps, learning to run on the ice tends to reduce […] Continue reading →
Rocker Counter Concept for Double Loop (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues discussing methods of getting quickly into rotation on jumps (“concept of rotation”). In previous videos he covered his “rocker cross stroke” concept for axel and double axel and salchow and toe loop. In this video, he introduces a similar concept for double loop (and flip and lutz). Because a loop […] Continue reading →
Rocker Cross Stroke Concept for Double Salchow and Double Toe Loop (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues discussing his “rocker cross stroke” method of getting quickly into rotation on the weight transfer jumps, axel, salchow, and toe loop. In the previous video he introduced the concept using the axel, showing how the skater can walk-through the jump by simulating a rocker and a cross step […] Continue reading →
Rocker Cross Stroke Concept for Axel and Double Axel (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares a concept that addresses a very common problem for double axel and triple jumps. Skaters have a strong tendency in these jumps to try to spin through the take-off into the circle made by the entry and exit edges. As Nick explains, this kind of take-off then […] Continue reading →
Power Angle Concept for Jumps – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an important discussion of the concept of power angle and how it relates to good jumping. Power angle as a concept is closely tied to need to “vault” properly up into each jump. A full discussion of vaulting can be found in Nick’s earlier series (Part1, Part […] Continue reading →
Good Jumps are Actually Vaults – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his important and overlooked discussion that good figure skating jumps are actually vaults. In Part 1 he introduced the basic concept of vaulting and explained how a good loop jump vaults up into the air. In this video, Nick begins by describing how a good salchow vaults […] Continue reading →
Good Jumps are Actually Vaults – Part 1 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna discusses the incredibly important and overlooked concept in figure skating that good jumps are actually vaults. He begins by noting that this topic is “vastly misunderstood” and “not talked about much at all.” He then discusses how most off ice jumps are “true jumps” because the athlete is […] Continue reading →
Introduction to Beginner Axel – Part 4 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an axel development series for young skaters at a camp. In the previous parts of the series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Nick worked with a class on early axel concepts as they relate to waltz jump. In this video, Nick is working with another class […] Continue reading →
Introduction to Beginner Axel – Part 3 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an axel development class for young skaters at a camp, introducing the early concepts as they relate to waltz jump. A significant percentage of this class is not really ready to work on the axel, but as Nick demonstrates it’s never too soon to teach important concepts […] Continue reading →
Introduction to Beginner Axel – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an axel development class for young skaters at a camp, introducing the early concepts as they relate to waltz jump. A significant percentage of this class is not really ready to work on the axel, but as Nick demonstrates it’s never too soon to teach important concepts […] Continue reading →
Introduction to Beginner Axel – Part 1 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna works with a class of young skaters at a camp, introducing the early concepts necessary for axel development. A significant percentage of this class is not really ready to work on the axel, but as Nick demonstrates it’s never too soon to teach important concepts that will make […] Continue reading →
Drill for More Height on Loop, Flip, Lutz (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares a drill he uses to help skaters properly lift into the air on the loop, flip, and lutz jumps. He begins by noting that many skaters struggle to achieve an h-position or 4-position on these jumps, often due to how they train rotation off the ice. The […] Continue reading →
New Lutz Insights and Exercises – Part 3 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering new insights and exercises for the lutz jump. In Part 1, Nick shared the Pigeon Toe Walk exercise to maintain the body in the correct position to keep the skater near the front of the blade to help ensure a true outside […] Continue reading →
New Lutz Insights and Exercises – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering new insights and exercises for the lutz jump. In Part 1, Nick shared the Pigeon Toe Walk exercise to maintain the body in the correct position to keep the skater near the front of the blade to help ensure a true outside […] Continue reading →
New Lutz Insights and Exercises – Part 1 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna begins a series of videos covering new insights and exercises for the lutz jump. He begins by acknowledging the added importance today of having the correct take-off edge on lutz in IJS competitions, and he introduces us to his “Pigeon Toe Walk” exercise. To better understand this video, […] Continue reading →
Mindset of Popping and Fear (Nick Perna)

In this video, International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues giving a lesson on double toe loop where the skater has a mental block in terms of crossing the feet in the air. In the first part of this lesson, Nick essentially proved that it’s a fear issue for this skater, and not something […] Continue reading →
Crossing the Feet on Double Toe Loop (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson on double toe loop. He begins by asking for a double toe, but the skater never crosses the feet and lands the jump on two feet facing forward. Nick is reasonably happy with the jump take-off, and has the skater do some walk-throughs to feel […] Continue reading →
Triple Salchow Lesson (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson on triple salchow. He begins with single salchow, single loop, single toe loop in combo, and then a double salchow, single loop, single toe in combo. After that Nick asks for a single salchow, double loop, single toe loop in combo, followed by a double […] Continue reading →
Important Lutz Fundamentals (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues working with a class of beginner skaters on the lutz jump. In the first part of this class, Nick focused on helping the skaters understand and see what a proper lutz is. In this video, Nick shares important fundamental concepts to begin learning to execute a proper […] Continue reading →
Seeing the Lutz Edge (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna is working with a class of beginner skaters on the lutz jump. The focus of this video is making sure the class understands what a proper lutz is and how to see it. There isn’t much technical detail in this video. So the main value is watching each […] Continue reading →
Lutz – Entry Steps and Pick Placement (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna teaches a double/triple lutz class to advanced skaters at a seminar. Rather than starting immediately with the lutz, Nick begins by discussing the edge for the flip jump. For those struggling with the proper inside edge on the flip, he recommends thinking about it like a salchow. He […] Continue reading →
Double Lutz in Lesson (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a jump lesson. In the first part of this lesson Nick taught axel and double salchow drills. In the second part of the lesson he worked on double toe loop, double loop, and double flip. In this part, the focus is on the double lutz. As with […] Continue reading →
A Few Double Jumps in Lesson (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a jump lesson. In the first part of this lesson Nick taught axel and double salchow drills. In this video, they work on double toe loop, double loop, and double flip. On the double toe loop, Nick focuses on arms in the air position. He says, “You’ve […] Continue reading →
Some Jump Drills (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a jump lesson, beginning with waltz jump drills. The first drill is a waltz jump, “land forward” on one foot, then snap into twizzle rotation prior to a strong landing position. For this drill to be effective, the skater should keep the twizzle “as straight as you […] Continue reading →
Overlooked Axel Drill (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna teaches a skater a basic axel development drill, referred to as the “axel pivot drill.” As you can see in the previous video, this skater is just starting the axel journey and the focus here is on introducing some basic concepts. The exercise Nick shares is based on […] Continue reading →
Common Single Jump Errors (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna begins a lesson with a young skater and works through the single jumps. Every coach in the world who works with skaters at this level regularly sees these errors. Nick starts with a backspin and then moves from waltz jump through single lutz. On waltz jump, Nick wants […] Continue reading →
Single Jump Lesson – Part 3 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. In Part 1 of the lesson, Nick worked on backspin, h-position, d-position, and landing position. In Part 2 the focus was on fixing a “toe axel” or in this case a “toe waltz jump.” […] Continue reading →
Single Jump Lesson – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. In Part 1 of the lesson, Nick worked on backspin, h-position, d-position, and landing position. In this short video, after one quick salchow attempt Nick corrects a very common toe loop issue often referred […] Continue reading →
Single Jump Lesson – Part 1 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson to a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. Nick begins the lesson by asking for a backspin, and based on the weakness of the spin he focuses for quite a while on it. This skater does a backspin with the common error […] Continue reading →
Double Axel Drills – Part 2 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is starting to work on double axel. In Part 1 of this lesson, Nick focused on determining the readiness for this skater to try double axels as well as some important preparation drills. In this video, the skater tries one double […] Continue reading →
Double Axel Drills – Part 1 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson to a skater who is starting to work on double axel. In the first part of this lesson, Nick is focused on determining the readiness for this skater to try double axels. Making sure a skater is ready is important to minimize potential injuries and […] Continue reading →
Frisbee Provides Jumping Insights (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna offers a number of helpful jumping insights based on the concepts associated with throwing a frisbee. As he notes, many skaters benefit from seeing and using physical objects for understanding important ideas. Nick begins his presentation by explaining that a jump travels in a straight line after it […] Continue reading →
Lutz Drills and Insights (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares his updated process for developing the lutz jump. Nick briefly references his earlier iCoachSkating lutz videos which can be seen here: Introduction and Basics, Correcting the Edge, and Setups. These videos focus on the ideas of an active edge (“the cut”) with a toe flick and a […] Continue reading →
Edge Drill – How The Legs And Feet Turn (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna shares an edge drill intended to help skaters feel how to properly use their feet and ankles, as well as their legs and hips when creating edges. Historically, edges have typically been taught as sideways leans (into the circle) on a static circle. That kind of rudimentary static edge development is […] Continue reading →
Exercise to Increase Jump Height and Distance (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna shares a fun and effective exercise to help skaters learn to jump higher and farther. Initially used primarily with waltz jump, this exercise is also good for salchow (and even axel). First Nick draws the take-off edge on the ice, typically up to one of the hockey lines across the rink […] Continue reading →
Jump Air Position – Upper Body (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna shares insights about the air position used in jumps by elite skaters. As a critical observer of everything in skating, Nick has found that jumping air position of the upper body has just two critical parts. The first is getting the hands against the body, and the second is a forward […] Continue reading →
What is Proper Alignment? (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna discusses and demonstrates proper skating alignment, including a way for coaches and skaters to test for it. Historically, proper alignment was taught in detail on test figures or school figures, meaning that each new generation of coaches had a thorough understanding of proper alignment. After figures were eliminated from competition, the […] Continue reading →
Grapevine Variations and the Salchow (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna continues his presentation on his “grapevine” exercise. In the first video he demonstrated how to perform the grapevine and how to teach it in sections. In this video, he explains how to create useful variations by picking up the feet at specific moments, rather than skating the entire grapevine on two […] Continue reading →
The Grapevine (Nick Perna)

International coach Nick Perna shares a skating drill he calls “The Grapevine.” The exercise gets it’s name from the off-ice grapevine agility exercise, which includes twisting and alternating foot positions. Nick explains that this is a fun exercise that all skaters can master with a little practice, and most skaters find it to be very […] Continue reading →
Comparing Salchow Take-Off Techniques (Nick Perna)

Figure skating jump specialist Nick Perna compares 2 common but very different types of take-offs we see for the salchow jump. In the video he is comparing a triple salchow by Olympic Champion Yuna Kim and one by US Ladies Champion and Olympic Team Medalist Bradie Tennell. Although there is more to the technical differences […] Continue reading →
Double and Triple Lutz Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple lutz print. Other videos in this series: Axel Prints Part 1 Axel Prints Part 2 Salchow Prints Part 1 Salchow Prints Part […] Continue reading →
Double and Triple Flip Jump Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple flip jump print. Other videos in this series: Axel Prints Part 1 Axel Prints Part 2 Salchow Prints Part 1 Salchow Prints […] Continue reading →
4 Statues Balance Drill (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares an off-ice drill whose purpose is to improve balance and control of the 4 main skating positions. The demonstrating skater has a large asterisk on the floor to help with visualizing the desired placement of the free leg, and skaters can easily create this on the floor […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 10 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 9 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 8 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 7 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 6 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 5 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 4 (Nick Perna)

International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going on. In Part 1, Nick had the skater warming up with a jump rope. In […] Continue reading →