Can you imagine launching yourself into the air, rotating three or even four times, before landing safely on a thin blade? This is exactly what Figure Skaters do, and their jumps are thrilling to watch!
But did you know there are six different types of jumps? They may look similar, but each jump is unique. The key difference lies in the takeoff. With some practice, fans can learn to tell them apart. Here’s how:
Axel
The Axel is the only jump where Skaters take off facing forward, making it the easiest to recognize. It’s also the most difficult jump type because it involves an extra half rotation. Thus, a triple Axel has three and a half rotations.
All other jumps begin with backward takeoff.
Lutz
For the Lutz, Skaters take off by planting the right toe pick and using the outside edge of their blade.
Flip
The Flip is similar to the Lutz, but Skaters take off using the inside of the edge while planting the right toe pick.
It can be tricky for beginners to tell the Lutz and Flip apart, but here’s a tip: if the Skater glides backward for a longer distance before takeoff, usually towards the corner of the rink, it’s likely a Lutz. If the glide is shorter, it’s usually a Flip.
Toeloop
The Toeloop also uses the toe pick on takeoff, but this time the Skater plants the left toe. It’s often used as the second jump in a jump combination and is considered one of the easier jumps.
Salchow
The Salchow doesn’t involve picking into the ice on takeoff. Instead, it’s an edge jump where Skaters take off from the back inside edge and land on the back outside edge. The legs from a triangular shape during the takeoff.
Loop
The Loop is another edge jump without a toe pick. Skaters take off while travelling in a deep curve with their legs crossed, as if sitting in a chair. The Loop is sometimes used as the second jump in a jump combination.
Where do the names come from?
The Axel (Axel Poulsen), Lutz (Alois Lutz) and Salchow (Ulrich Salchow) are named after the Skaters who invented them. The Toeloop, Loop, and Flip aren’t named after people, although the Loop is also known as “Rittberger” in some countries, named after its inventor Werner Rittberger.
What about lefties?
Some Skaters, often left-handed, jump in the opposite direction (clockwise). For these Skaters, the right toe pick is used for the Toeloop, and the left toe pick for the Flip and Lutz.
