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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 →
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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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All About Eulers – Part 2 (Kate Charbonneau)
Coach Kate Charbonneau continues her presentation on the Euler or “half loop.” In Part 1 she introduced the topic and offered a number of exercises she uses to teach the skill. She begins Part 2 by emphasizing the need to check the positions and be patient when adding speed. She says, “As they add speed […] Continue reading →
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Salchow-Euler-Salchow Combination (Debbie Warne-Jacobsen)
National level coach Debbie Warne-Jacobsen begins a series of videos covering a lesson for an adult skater who is working on her USFS Senior Free Skating test. The focus in this video is on the double salchow-Euler-double salchow combination jump. After warming up the double salchow, Debbie reminds the skater to focus on jump direction, […] 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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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 →
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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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Pivot Jump Drill Development (Chris Conte)
International coach and jump specialist Chris Conte takes some time during a jump lesson to work on the forward pivot jump drill. He begins by simply having the skater do a forward pivot and then spin in a “forward” h-position. This is a good initial drill for skaters to learn to close the hips to […] Continue reading →
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Valuable Jump Exercises (Denise Myers)
World and Olympic coach Denise Myers shares a number of valuable jump exercises and other insights related to jumping. She begins with one-foot axels as a way to “snap the thighs together” on double axel. Similarly, the one-foot salchow can solve the same problem on the triple salchow. These exercises can also be helpful with […] 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 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 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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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 →
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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 →
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Toe Loop (Jeremy Allen)
International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen shares many insights and teaching tips for the toe loop jump. He begins by acknowledging that the toe loop is one of the hardest jumps to teach properly today, as there are wide variations in technique, teaching methods, and opinions about the jump. He then has his demonstrator […] Continue reading →
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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 →
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Salchow (Jeremy Allen)
International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen shares many insights related to the salchow jump and how to teach it effectively. He notes right from the beginning that there are several ways to do a salchow, and coaches will naturally gravitate toward the method that seems to work best for their skaters. One method Jeremy […] Continue reading →
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Advanced Salchow Concepts – Part 2 (Kori Ade)
World and Olympic coach Kori Ade continues her advanced salchow concepts class for high level skaters during a seminar/workshop. In Part 1, Kori focused almost entirely on the idea of using a “guiding foot” for salchow. In this video, the focus changes to air position and working on proprioception to prevent falls. Most of these […] Continue reading →
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Advanced Salchow Concepts – Part 1 (Kori Ade)
World and Olympic coach Kori Ade teaches advanced salchow concepts to a class of high level skaters during a seminar/workshop. Kori begins by discussing the concept of using a “guiding foot into salchow.” This is when the skater sets the free skate (axis skate) on the ice during the prep/entry/pivot for salchow. This concept is […] Continue reading →
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Salchow Lesson Part 2 – Magic Circle (Chris Conte)
International coach Chris Conte continues a double salchow lesson. In Part 1 of this lesson, Chris focused on control of the entry and then the timing and rhythm of the take-off movements. In this video, Chris discusses the arms in more detail and offers insights regarding free leg movement. In general, coaches typically choose one […] Continue reading →
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Rhythm, Tempo, and Control on Double Salchow (Chris Conte)
International coach Chris Conte gives a double salchow lesson. To start the lesson, he focuses on the forward outside three turn entry, and in particular, getting the free foot either on or even outside the tracing (but not inside) to ensure control of the three turn exit. Next Chris addresses the tempo and rhythm of […] Continue reading →
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Double and Triple Salchow Prints – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues a presentation on the print left on the ice by a good double or triple salchow. In Part 1 of this presentation, Nick talked at length about the print and the salchow technique needed to create that print. In the short video below, Nick offers additional insights and clarifications. Nick […] Continue reading →
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Double and Triple Salchow Prints (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna discusses the print left on the ice by a good double or triple salchow. This video is related to Nick’s other presentations on jump prints such as axel prints and landing prints. In this video, he starts by explaining that a good double or triple salchow rarely has an obvious three […] Continue reading →
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More Salchow Tips – Basic Salchow Continued (Page Lipe)
International figure skating coach Page Lipe continues her discussion of the salchow. In the previous video, she discussed free leg and skating leg movements, as well as where the skater’s center of mass needs to be relative to the skating foot. In this video, she begins by talking about the back-outside-three-turn-to-forward-inside-mohawk entrance for the salchow. […] Continue reading →
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Basic Salchow Tips (Page Lipe)
International figure skating coach Page Lipe offers some tips and insights for salchow jump development. One very common problem with the salchow is when skaters balance on the backward entry/take-off edge with their head outside the circle or tracing the skate makes on the ice. Especially during the final “hook” or “pivot” movements it’s very […] Continue reading →
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Salchow Concepts (Robert Tebby)
World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby shares some ideas regarding position and timing for the salchow jump. He begins on two feet with the axis arm up and to the side and the non-axis arm in front. The movement begins with a slight bending of the knees and the axis arm coming in front, and […] Continue reading →
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Turning Double Salchow Into Triple – Part 2 (Trevor Laak)
Jump specialist Trevor Laak continues his lesson with a skater who is working on the triple salchow. The skater has a solid double but lacks consistently high enough air times to land the triple. In the first part of this lesson, Trevor focused on generating more jump height on the double by increasing the edge […] Continue reading →
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Turning Double Salchow Into Triple – More Air Time (Trevor Laak)
Jump specialist Trevor Laak gives a lesson to a skater who is working on the triple salchow. The skater has a solid double but lacks consistently high enough air times to land the triple. This video is closely related to this video on creating more rotational energy and jump height for the salchow by Michelle […] Continue reading →
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Salchow Theory – Creating Rotational Energy and Height (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh explains one of the most important concepts related to doing good salchows. To create the rotational energy and jump height necessary to do triples and quads, skaters must generate large rotational and vertical forces prior to take-off. And Michelle explains that this is best accomplished by dropping the free […] Continue reading →
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Learning Double Jumps (Ryan Bradley)
2011 US Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley gives a skater a lesson on axel and double salchow. The value in sharing this video is in seeing how a coach like Ryan patiently demands more control from the skater. There are many ways a coach can ask for more control, and on the single axel Ryan focuses […] Continue reading →
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Double Salchow Development (Michelle Leigh)
In this figure skating video, World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh is working with a skater to improve a relatively new double salchow. The focus is on control and timing. The skater is using a forward inside three turn entrance and Michelle is concerned he rushes the edge after the turn. She talks about the […] Continue reading →
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The Stomping Drill, Part 2: The Jumps (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his discussion of the stomping drill. In Part 1, he introduced the drill and showed how to use it with a variety of skating elements. In this video, he focuses on the jumps and how to use it effectively for salchow, toe loop, loop, flip and lutz. Notice that he […] Continue reading →
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Cleaning Up Single Jumps (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh begins a lesson with a young male skater by reviewing his single jumps. This is a great chance to see what an elite coach like Michelle looks for on single jumps after a skater has learned them and is beginning to work on doubles. On the single salchow Michelle […] Continue reading →
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Developmental Jump Drill for Young Skaters (Laurent Depouilly)
World and Olympic coach Laurent Depouilly offers a great jump setup drill for young skaters that allows for many repetitions in a short time and small space. The drill consists of a forward outside three turn with a back crossover on the same circle, winding up the arms much like a spin entry. After returning […] Continue reading →
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Jump Patterns and Setup Tips, Part 3: Toe Loop (Kori Ade)
World and Olympic coach Kori Ade continues a multi-part series on jump setup patterns and jump teaching tips. In Part 1, Kori discussed patterns and setups for the axel and in Part 2 she tackled the salchow. The demonstrator for this series is Jordan Moeller and his jumps are definitely worth modeling. In this video, Kori […] Continue reading →
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Deepening Edges for Skating (Douglas Webster)
Professional choreographer Douglas Webster gives a skater a lesson on the concept of deepening edges. The concept is explained in the context of a three-turn and also in the context of back inside edges (salchow). When performing three turns, most skaters simply glide above the ice and initiate the turn and check the turn with […] Continue reading →
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Dragon Tail Exercise – Setup for Jumps (Laurent Depouilly)
World and Olympic coach Laurent Depouilly shares a jump setup drill he calls the “dragon tail” that he uses for all the major jumps except waltz jump/axel (but it can be used for that too). He primarily uses the exercise with the single jumps. The purpose of the drill is to get arm and core […] Continue reading →
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Jump Patterns and Setup Tips, Part 2: Salchow (Kori Ade)
World and Olympic coach Kori Ade continues a multi-part series on jump setup patterns. In Part 1, Kori discussed patterns and setups for the axel. The demonstrator for this series is Jordan Moeller and his jumps are definitely worth modeling. In this video, Kori discusses the setup for the salchow and offers important teaching tips and […] Continue reading →
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The Russian Twist, Part 5 – Various Jump Take-Offs (Chris Conte)
Chris Conte continues his multi-part series on air turns or the Russian Twist. In Part 1, he introduced the overall concept. In Part 2 he explained the first turn and discussed how it relates to snizzles and the d-position. In Part 3 he offered more details and some Russian twist demonstrations. In Part 4 he showed a progression […] Continue reading →
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Off-Ice Jumps – Part 2: Salchow and Landing Tips (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues a multi-part series on off-ice jumping. In Part 1 she focused on some basics and the axel. In this video, she discusses the salchow and some drills to improve landings. For the off-ice salchow, Michelle likes the skaters to start by hopping on their take-off foot with the free […] Continue reading →
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Box Drill – Concept for Weight Transfer Jumps (Page Lipe)
International coach Page Lipe explains and demonstrates the take-offs for the weight transfer jumps, axel, salchow, and toe loop using drawings on the ice. These drawings help skaters (and coaches) understand how to create a take-off with flow and get to the desired air position. Page begins by drawing a tracing for an axel take-off […] Continue reading →
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Triple Salchow Concepts (Michelle Leigh)
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh discusses some key concepts associated with the triple salchow. She likes having skaters use a “crosscut” entrance. In the USA this is more commonly called a salchow from “back crossovers” or from an “undercut.” Michelle says, “I’m a real big fan of that because I think it really teaches you to […] Continue reading →
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Jump Development Exercises Pt 11 – Prepping for Triples (Chris Conte)
Chris Conte continues with Part 11 of a multi-part series on jump development exercises. In this series, Chris provides a set of warm-up exercises with a variety of drills embedded in them to develop important jumping skills associated with axis, air position, head control, and strong powerful landings. The drills are general and apply to […] Continue reading →
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Pivots – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his explanation of pivots. You can see Part 1 of his presentation here. In this video, Nick begins by noting there are 8 different pivots in total. These are forward inside, back inside, forward outside, and back outside, on each foot making 8 total. Nick says, “I make sure […] Continue reading →
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Beginning Double Loops and Double Toe In Combo (Michelle Leigh)
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues her lesson with a young male skater in Part 3 of a 3-part series on jumps. In the first part of the lesson, Michelle focused on the lutz. In the second video, Michelle is working with the skater on his axel, which is very close. In this end part of […] Continue reading →
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Jump Development Exercises Pt 9 – Axel, Double Toe, Double Salchow (Chris Conte)
Chris Conte continues with Part 9 of a multi-part series on jump development exercises. In this series, Chris provides a set of warm-up exercises with a variety of drills embedded in them to develop important jumping skills associated with axis, air position, head control, and strong powerful landings. The drills are general and apply to […] Continue reading →
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Triple Salchow Lesson (Michelle Leigh)
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh works with a skater in a 3-part series on jumps leading to triple salchow and triple toe. This is the final part of this lesson. In the first part, Michelle worked on 3-jump combinations with the skater. But she also introduced the skater and provided background that is important for this […] Continue reading →
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Jump Lesson – Double Salchow (Kori Ade)
Olympic coach Kori Ade gives a young skater a lesson on the double salchow. The video starts with the skater doing a single salchow that Kori likes well-enough to ask for a double attempt (“with crossed feet on the way down”). The primary problem for this skater is “opening” or uncrossing the feet while in […] Continue reading →
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Jump Development Exercises Pt 8 – Salchow and Ball Drill (Chris Conte)
Chris Conte continues with Part 8 of a multi-part series on jump development exercises. In this series, Chris provides a set of warm-up exercises with a variety of drills embedded in them to develop important jumping skills associated with axis, air position, head control, and strong powerful landings. The drills are general and apply to […] Continue reading →
