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Basic Skating Skills and Figure Skating


Lutz Jump
   
Description
  The takeoff of a Lutz jump is similar to the Flip except that the Lutz takes off from a back outside edge. The back outside edge is combined with a toe assist to launch the skater into the air. The landing is on the same back outside edge. The rotation in the air is the same as the Flip (CCW), but the outside edge lacks a continious rotation from a turn prior to the entry edge.
   
Transition/Connecting Steps

Many CCW skaters approach the Lutz from CW back crossovers The right leg extends backwards to initiate the tap which vaults the skater into the air.

The jump can also be entered from a individual LFI mohawk turn followed by stepping onto the LBO takeoff edge or performed after a more complicated footwork series of steps and turns.


Entry
  The actual takeoff edge is a shallow LBO edge.  The right free leg extends backward to allow the toe pick to vault the skater into the air. 
   
Takeoff
  The majority of skaters rotate in the Counter-Clockwise (CCW) direction. They extend their right leg directly behind the skating foot and toe of the skate is inserted into the ice producing a pole vaulting action before landing backward on their right foot.

Clockwise (CW) direction skaters extend the left foot directly behind the skater and toe of the skate is inserted into the ice producing a pole vaulting action. The skater lands backward on their left foot.

   
Rotation in the Air

The skater performs one full rotation in the air. The rotation occurs around the leg that tapped into the ice.


Landing

The skater should land on a backward curve that is a continuation of the takeoff curve. The landing force is cushioned by bending landing knee while extending the free leg. An erect core body (head up, level shoulders, and straight back) facilitates a skater being able to control the landing.


Exit Edge/Curve

The landing should continue the flow (speed) of the entry into the jump with no noticeable loss of flow on the landing.

Entry curve of the jump's takeoff should continue through the arc of the landing/exiting edge.

The free leg should fully extend after landing. The landing should be held long enough to establish the skater has complete control of the landing!


Common Errors
 
  • Pre rotation of the shoulders and hips prior to the takeoff.
  • Changing edge before taking off.
  • Many skaters hold their free leg unusually high (in some cases above hip height), before it descends to contact the ice for the tap.
  • Not jumping high enough to accomplish the full rotation in the air.
  • A major loss of control occurs in the air when the knee of the free leg is bent and wraps around the landing leg. 
  • Not checking the landing. If the core body (arms, shoulders, head) does not check the rotation in the air as preparation for landing, the skater's body will continue to rotate after landing resulting in a whipping action producing an uncontrolled edge lacking a smooth gliding exit curve.
  • Landing heavily on toe pick causing an immediate loss of flow out of the jump.
  • The free leg never fully extends after landing. Usually accompanied by the skater quickly stepping forward, changing edge, and/or bending at waist in an attempt to maintain their balance without putting their hand(s) or free leg down to avoid a fall.