Comparing Lutz Take-Off Techniques (Nick Perna)

, , , , , , , ,

Figure skating jump specialist Nick Perna compares the 2 different types of take-offs we see for the lutz jump. In the video he is comparing a triple lutz take-off by 1998 Olympic Champion Ilia Kulik and a triple lutz take-off by 2018 Olympic Silver Medalist (and 2-time World Champion) Evgenia Medvedeva. Although there is more to the technical differences of these take-offs, the main point is to observe how Evgenia is facing completely forward with her entire body at the moment of lift-off, while Ilia has dramatic rotation of the shoulders ahead of the hips which are actually blocked and not facing forward.

Nick notes that male skaters more commonly use the blocked method, simply because they can jump higher and make up for the inefficiency of the lower body position at take-off with more air time. Many if not most female skaters (especially non-elite female skaters) performing triple lutz tend to take-off like Evgenia since they typically have lower air times and must pivot all the way to forward before lifting off the ice or they will not be able to complete the necessary rotations in the air.

Nick offers a tip to coaches: If a skater is strong, athletic, and jumps very high and naturally takes off with the hips-blocked technique, let them continue to use that technique. But if a skater cannot jump very high but takes off using the hips-blocked technique, it may make sense to switch to the pivot-forward technique in order to have success with the jump.

At the end, Nick also points out that the rocker of the picking foot should not be placed on the ice. If the skater drops from the toe pick onto the skate blade, the jump actually becomes a loop.


lock

Sorry, this content is for members only.

Click here to get access.

 

Already a member? Login below…

Email
Password
 
Remember me (for 2 weeks)

Forgot Password


FavoriteLoadingAdd to “My Favorites” (Beta testing)

6 responses to “Comparing Lutz Take-Off Techniques (Nick Perna)”

  1. AnyaSaretzky

    Would the pivot forward technique be considered under rotated?

    Reply
  2. Trevor

    AnyaSaretzky, at this time the pivot forward technique is considered a valid technique for the lutz jump and is likely to remain so well into the future. So the answer is, no, it would not be considered under rotated.

    Reply
  3. Michelle

    Evgenia’s take off looks more like a loop jump and seems to turn it into a forward spin. This is so common in skating but would it be considered a cheat or just poor technique that creates a less controllable air position?

    Reply
  4. Trevor

    Michelle, based on how jumps are currently being given credit in competition here in 2018, it would not be considered a cheat. But it is possible that it might be considered a cheat if the rules were clarified or changed at some point in the future. Too many powerful lobbying groups have too much to lose by any change in the rules, so it’s likely to remain unchanged for a long time.

    Reply
  5. Nick Perna

    Michelle,
    I understand your observation that pivoting forward before leaving the ice “could” be considered “cheating” the takeoff of the jump…but I agree with Trevor that the majority of skaters have some degree of “pivot” to a forward facing position when performing most multi-revolution jumps. The actual ISU rule states; “A clear forward (backward for Axel type jump) take-off will be considered as a downgraded jump.”
    It goes on to state that; “The TP may only watch the replay in regular speed to determine the cheat and downgrade on the take-off.”

    So…in reality…they have a lot of leeway to call the jump as they want to…depending on the skater, country, etc.
    I hope this help answers your question. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Michelle

    Thanks Nick! We think you’re one of the best coaches here and used your tips to advance quickly to the elite level! So in other words, the ISU replay for scoring doesn’t have any built-in capabilities like dramatic slow motion? We know someone who has a patent pending on a computerized system that will perhaps replace the technical panel!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Trevor Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *