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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 →
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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 →
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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 →
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Off-Ice Loop and Double Loop – Part 2 (Mirai Nagasu)
Olympic Team medalist and coach Mirai Nagasu continues an off-ice seminar jump class focusing on the loop and double loop. In Part 1 she discussed alignment over the axis side and taught a hopping and rotating exercise to develop position and rotational control. In this video Mirai begins by reviewing alignment and setup details as […] Continue reading →
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Off-Ice Loop and Double Loop – Part 1 (Mirai Nagasu)
Olympic Team medalist and coach Mirai Nagasu teaches an off-ice seminar jump class focusing on the loop and double loop. She starts by observing the class attempting off-ice double loops and then shows the class a video of a triple loop by Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto. She points out how Kaori uses a rolling three […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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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 →
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Exercise and Insights for Double and Triple Loop – Part 2 (Tom Zakrajsek)
World and Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek continues his discussion of the double and triple loop, including more detail on the exercise and movements discussed in Part 1. Here he begins by addressing probably the most common problem skaters face on double and triple loop. He says, “Having the skater understand how to stay checked in […] Continue reading →
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Exercise and Insights for Double and Triple Loop (Tom Zakrajsek)
World and Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek shares an exercise intended to help skaters “understand the hairpin turn moment on a triple loop.” Tom notes that the exercise is also helpful for double loop combos too. The speed and timing of the deepening edge on a triple loop can cause all kinds of core and upper […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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Loop Jump Insights (Doug Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Doug Leigh shares thoughts and exercises about the loop jump. He begins by discussing jump landings in general, showing an exercise at the wall that simulates air position and checking the rotation at landing. He begins this by facing the wall and standing on the toe pick of the non-axis skate […] Continue reading →
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Introducing Double Jumps, Double Loop Details (Tom Zakrajsek)
World and Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek shares thoughts on the most fundamental or foundational jump in skating, the double loop. Tom begins by by saying, “It is an important jump, number one to learn properly, and number two to learn as soon as possible.” He then shares his philosophy for skaters learning double jumps after […] Continue reading →
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All About Eulers – Part 1 (Kate Charbonneau)
Coach Kate Charbonneau begins a presentation on the Euler. Historically, the Euler has been called a “half loop” in the USA and elsewhere, but with it’s renewed significance as a result of it’s value in jump combinations in competitive IJS events, the formal name Euler is being used more and more. An Euler is an […] Continue reading →
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Starting the Double Loop (Ryan Bradley)
2011 US Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley works with a skater on the initial stages of double loop development. They are working on the jump from a forward inside three-turn entry, which can be a great way for skaters to feel the rotation of the jump while maintaining shoulders vs hips positioning. Many skaters starting the […] Continue reading →
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Valuable Double Loop Drills (Debbie Warne-Jacobsen)
National level coach Debbie Warne-Jacobsen shares two important exercises for developing the double loop. These exercises are also valuable for learning double loop double loop combinations. The first exercise is performed at the wall, starting facing the wall with b0th feet in the setup position (two outside edges) and then turning up a quarter turn […] Continue reading →
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Using a Balloon for Jump Training – Part 3 (Lorie Charbonneau)
International coach Lorie Charbonneau continues her presentation on using a simple air-filled balloon as a jump training aid. In Part 1 she introduced the concept and had her skaters demonstrate single jumps as well as axel and double salchow with the balloons. In Part 2 the skaters demonstrated the other double jumps, as well as […] Continue reading →
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Using a Balloon for Jump Training – Part 2 (Lorie Charbonneau)
International coach Lorie Charbonneau continues her presentation on using a simple air-filled balloon as a jump training aid. In Part 1 she introduced the concept and had her skaters demonstrate single jumps as well as axel and double salchow with the balloons. In this video, the skaters demonstrate the other double jumps, as well as […] Continue reading →
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Two Challenging Jump Exercises (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger teaches a jump class at a seminar. This is a continuation of this video. In this video, Audrey begins by discussing the idea of using difficult and challenging drills in skating. Most skaters thrive on challenges, and skating provides plenty. She then has the class do the drill explained […] Continue reading →
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Tips for Double Loop Double Loop Combinations (Ryan Bradley)
2011 US Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley gives a skater a lesson on double loop double loop combinations. After watching a double loop single loop combo, Ryan notes, “You really have to be aggressive on the way out on these loop combos.” He recommends keeping the axis arm back and the non-axis hip high on landing […] Continue reading →
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Improving a Double Loop (Ryan Bradley)
2011 US Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley gives a skater a lesson on double loop. This skater already has a consistent double loop, but she needs to improve it for combination jumps as well as for preparing to triple. Ryan begins with backspins, and the focus is on getting the feet together as this skater is […] Continue reading →
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More Jump Exercises (Denise Myers)
World and Olympic coach Denise Myers shares more jump exercises. She begins with a jump air position exercise intended to teach “the flex” or the locking of the axis leg and flexing the axis foot upward. She places her mitten on the base of the hockey door and has the skater stand on the mitten […] Continue reading →
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Improving Beginner Skills – Part 2 (Kate Charbonneau)
Coach Kate Charbonneau continues a general lesson with a beginner level skater, using program elements as a roadmap for the lesson. Part 1 focused on footwork and spins, while this video focuses on jumps. After observing a waltz jump and a half loop, Kate decides to focus on a half loop salchow combination. On just […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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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 →
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How to Jump Higher (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh discusses how to increase jump air time, which is the same as jumping higher. Sufficient jump height is critical in order to have enough air time to finish the desired rotation prior to landing. (See a discussion of minimum air times required for the various jumps here.) The classic […] Continue reading →
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Jump Warm-Up Drill: Loop Steps (Debbie Warne-Jacobsen)
National level coach Debbie Warne-Jacobsen continues a short series of videos where she shares ideas for a well-balanced warm-up intended to be skated to begin the first on-ice session of the day. See Part 1 here. In this video, the focus is on a drill Debbie calls “loop steps.” Loop steps are basically a walk-through […] Continue reading →
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Combination Jump “Game” – Part 2, Loop Combos (Lorie Charbonneau)
International coach Lorie Charbonneau continues an exercise/game she uses for encouraging skaters to efficiently work through all of their combination jumps. In Part 1, the game focused on double toe loop combinations. In this video, the game remains the same but the focus is on double loop combinations. The value in this videos isn’t so […] Continue reading →
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Jump Tracings – Part 3 (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues a video series discussing the tracings left on the ice by the 6 major jumps. By understanding what the tracings should look like, it helps get a clearer picture of proper technique and common errors. In Part 1 Michelle discussed tracings for salchow, loop, toe loop, and flip. […] Continue reading →
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Jump Drills in Lesson – Part 1 (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger gives a jump lesson at a seminar. The skater had a double axel at one time in the past and lost it, and the goal of this lesson is to try to get it back. However, most of the lesson is spent finding weaknesses and performing drills and most […] Continue reading →
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Single Loop Jump Lesson (Chris Conte)
International coach and jump specialist Chris Conte works with a skater to improve a single loop jump. Once a skater learns the basics of the jump, it is necessary to reduce scratching, increase entry speed and jump flow, and improve jump height. Chris begins this lesson by drawing the desired pattern with a marker on […] Continue reading →
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Double Loop Drills (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger teaches a class some challenging but valuable double loop drills. The skaters in this class can already do double loops, so the purpose of the drills is to develop complete mastery as well as learn skills necessary for triple loop as well as double axel and all triple jumps. […] Continue reading →
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Jump Tracings – Part 1 (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh begins a video series discussing the tracings left on the ice by the 6 major jumps. By understanding what the tracings should look like, it helps get a clearer picture of proper technique and common errors. In this video, the tracings are discussed for salchow, loop, toe loop, and […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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Combination Jumps (Jeremy Allen)
International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen offers insights and drills for combination jumps. He begins with a discussion of toe loop combinations and the all-important “reset” between the first jump and the toe loop. Jeremy defines the reset as “how you move from the first jump to the second jump.” He explains it usually […] Continue reading →
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Bigger Single Axel, Solve Over-Rotation Problem (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger gives a single axel lesson to a skater at a camp. This skater can already do an axel, so the focus is on making the jump bigger. Unfortunately, after making the jump bigger, the skater immediately begins over-rotating the jump and struggles with landings. This video provides a roadmap […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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Loop Jump in Combination (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger teaches a class on double loop combination jumps at a seminar. The purpose of the class is to develop jump combinations with the single, double, or triple loop as the second or third jump of the combination. This is a continuation of a previous video on double toe loop […] Continue reading →
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Champion Cords for Improved Landings (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating specialist coach and Champion Cords inventor Sheila Thelen explains and demonstrates how to use the cords to create improved landing positions. By connecting the cord to same-side hand and foot, a nice stretch can be created on landings that improves free leg height. The tension of the cord also helps skaters build awareness […] Continue reading →
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Loop Jump (Jeremy Allen)
International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen discusses the loop jump. Jeremy cautions against “setting up too straight” where the upper body is very upright on the loop jump setup. Instead, the body should be leaning forward over the axis/skating knee, so the body has the correct power angle or axis angle at the moment […] Continue reading →
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Important Jump Basics (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger gives a jump lesson. To start the lesson, Audrey wants a backspin and she follows this with a backspin in multiple free foot positions: h-position, d-position, and “2-toes.” The 2-toes position has the skater spinning with the legs side by side and the free toe pointed inward toward the […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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Head Position and Movement on Jump Take-Offs – Part 2 (Jeremy Allen)
International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen continues his discussion of head anchoring for jump take-offs (see Part 1 here). In particular, he offers more insights about the head with respect to the jump direction, or the momentum of the jump. He notes that the goal is to get the head to remain facing in […] Continue reading →
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Double and Triple Loop 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 loop jump print. Other videos in this series: Axel Prints Part 1 Axel Prints Part 2 Salchow Prints Part 1 Salchow Prints […] Continue reading →
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Building an Axel – lesson (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger gives a beginning axel lesson to a young skater. This video is a continuation of a previous video where Audrey and this skater worked on air position issues and back spins (which are also axel preparations). Audrey begins this lesson with single loop jumps and her focus is primarily […] Continue reading →
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Skater Development Insights (Chris Conte)
In this video, International coach Chris Conte continues a lesson with a male skater who he had worked with earlier on skating skills. You can watch those videos here Part 1 – Tips on Forward Stroking and here Part 2 – Tips On Forward Crossovers. Chris notes that he thinks this skater has potential in […] Continue reading →
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Single Loop Jump Tips, Loop Loop Combo (Robert Tebby)
World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby gives a young skater a lesson on the single loop jump and the loop-loop combination. After having the skater perform a single, Robert suggests getting more h-position (knee up) and more arm drive to help the jump get more height. This can also help fix timing issues. After the […] Continue reading →
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When Is a Skater Ready? (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh talks about the process of determining whether a skater is ready to move on and learn a new jump. This discussion is similar to that of Audrey Weisiger here, and coaches who struggle with this issue should watch both videos. Michelle starts by acknowledging the decision is “very individual” […] Continue reading →
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Triple Loop Lesson – Part 2, Drills (Chris Conte)
National coach Chris Conte continues his triple loop lesson with a skater who is building a triple loop from the double. In the first part, he observed that this skater’s jump lacks quickness, particularly in the hook. In this video, Chris shares an outstanding drill and modifies it to build the take-off movement he is […] Continue reading →
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More Double Loop, Part 2 (Sheila Thelen)
This video is a continuation of a lesson Sheila Thelen is giving a skater on the double loop. In Part 1 Sheila focused on proper air position and quick landings. In this part of the lesson, she focuses on head position and movement, shoulder movement, hip movement, and again on air position. Sheila begins by […] Continue reading →
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Triple Loop Lesson – Part 1, Quickness (Chris Conte)
National coach Chris Conte works on the triple loop with a skater who has a solid and consistent double loop. To begin the lesson, Chris immediately observes that the “hook” and rotation is slow on both the double loop and the triple loop attempt. To solve this, Chris wants the skater to “apply the same […] Continue reading →
