Free Skating Jump Phases
The ISU has divided jumps into four separate and specific phases or stages. The Technical panel uses the Take-off and landing (Exit Edge) to determine if the jump has been under rotated.
Judges under the IJS evaluate all four phases or stages to arrive at a Grade of Execution (GOE) mark.
The four separate phases (stages) of a jump are:
- Entry
- Assessed for difficulty/complexity
- Speed
- Take-off
- Solid curve on correct edge
- Erect core body
- Controlled free leg without a wide swing
- Air position
- Erect core body
- Controlled rotation without any wobble. tilt, lean or
loss of balance
- Free leg position
- Landing
- Solid curve
- Erect core body
- Controlled free leg without a wide swing
- Bent skating knee to cushion landing
While there is time to recover from a rotational wobble in single revolution jumps, every problem become more difficult to recover from in an axel and all other multi- rotational jumps.
There are three potential axis lines a skater can rotate around:
- The take off edge or tap foot
- The central or core body axis that represents an equal distribution of mass/weight
- The landing foot
There are two basic theories (concepts) coaches use to teach figure skating jumps:
Jumping ability is stressed as part of the takeoff -
- Jump as high as possible without pre rotation
- Start with as much speed as can be controlled.
Ideally the takeoff curve is "clean" and without any skidding or
hooking of the edge
- Rotation is initiated after springing into the are. Transition to the landing foot occur at some point in the air
- Rotation is checked in the air prior to landing
- Landing occurs on a curve that continues the arc of the
entry edge
- Maintain speed entering the jump with a matching flow on exiting the jump
- Exhibit a controlled landing position holding the curve without immediately stepping forward or a back crossover
- Initiation of rotation at the start of the jump
- Start with as much speed as can be controlled. The edge
into the jump may be skidded or
hooked
- Rotation begins at the start of the jump and continues throughout the elapsed time in the air
- Transfer of weight to the landing leg in preparation to
land tends to occur late in the rotation, prior to checking the
rotation for landing
- Lands on a curve with the free leg on an arc matching the
takeoff edge
- Maintain speed entering the jump with a matching flow on exiting the jump
- The landing position may not be fully controlled to allow holding the exit curve without immediately stepping forward or performing a back crossover
Information provided for each jump:
- Detailed analysis of technique
- Common errors and corrections
- Muscle groups used to stabilize the take off position, and those used to lift the skater into the air
- Exercises to strengthen muscles used
- Comments from leading skaters and coaches
An open jump position or the delay of starting the rotation in an Axel jump were considered crowd wowing jumps prior to Dick Button performing the first double axel. Gus Lussi coached Dick Button throughout his amateur skating career.
Lussi is given credit for developing the now-standard modern free skating jump technique of a cross-legged or back spin position in the air. Many of Mr. Lussi's students have become successful coaches who have passed on his techniques to subsequent generations of skaters.
ISU Judging System
In determining if a jump has been fully rotated, Judges and Technical Specialists must consider if the jump was pre rotated on the takeoff as well as if the landing has been under rotated. All jumps should have continuously flowing edges preceding the jump's takeoff.
Sometimes skaters hold an entry edge prior to initiating the Salchow and Loop jump takeoff. They frequently will then use a pulling (hooking) motion to achieve the timing to perform the jump .
Judges and Technical Specialists pay special attention to the placement of the tap foot in the Toe Loop jump. Most skater use an inside 3-Turn as an entrance to the Toe Loop. A major problem can occur if the skater is unable to control the swinging arc of the free leg as it causes the tap foot to be inserted in a crossed behind position relative to the tracing of back outside edge of the skating foot. The diagrams properly show the tap foot position to be parallel to the tracing to the skating foot and NOT crossing behind the tracing.
