San Diego Figure Skating Communications
SDFSC-Enews.Org
An Information Resource for
Basic Skating Skills and Figure Skating


Toe Loop Jump
   
Description
  The Toe Loop jump is considered a toe jump because of the assisted lift from the toe pick. A toe loop jump takes off and lands on the same back outside edge.
   
Transition/Connecting Steps

Many skaters commonly use a RFI 3-Turn to setup the entry edge. As the 3-Turn is performed, the free leg extends backwards to initiate the tap.

The jump can also be entered from a individual RFI mohawk turn stepping to a RBO edge as the skater reaches back to initiate the tap with the left foot. Frequently performed after a more complicated footwork series of steps and turns or as the second jump of a combination or last jump of a sequence.


Entry
 

Counter-Clockwise (CCW) skaters takeoff from RBO takeoff edge with an assist from the left toe pick.

Clockwise (CW) skaters takeoff from LBO takeoff edge with an assist from the right toe pick.
   
Takeoff
 

Counter-Clockwise (CCW) skaters frequenty use a right forward inside 3-Turn to achieve a RBO takeoff edge. The freeleg performs a swinging motion as the 3-Turn is executed. The free leg enters the ice causing the skater to vault into the air from the right back outside edge with an assist from the left toe pick

Clockwise (CW) skaters frequenty use a left forward inside 3-Turn to achieve a LBO takeoff edge. The free leg performs a swinging motion as the 3-Turn is executed. The freeleg enters the ice causing the skater to vault into the air from the left back outside edge with an assist from the right toe pick.


Rotation in the Air

Skaters who rotate in the Counter-Clockwise (CCW) direction extend the left free leg in front. The lift of the free leg must not be accompamied by the free leg swinging in an arc. The skater has a sensation of the performing a back upright spin on the right outside edge prior before landing on the back outside edge of the right foot.

Skaters who rotate in the Clockwise (CW) direction extend the right free leg in front. The lift of the free leg must not be accompamied by the free leg swinging in an arc. The skater has a sensation of the performing a back upright spin on the left outside edge prior before landing on the back outside edge of the right foot.


Landing
 

A Counter-Clockwise (CCW) skater lands backward on their right foot.

The Clockwise (CW) skater lands backward on their left foot.


In the Toe-Loop jump the skater should land on a backward curve that is a continuation of the takeoff curve with a flexed landing knee, stretched free leg, and erect core body (head up, level shoulders, and straight back).

The landing should have no noticable loss of flow (speed) and the curve should be held long enough to establish that the skater has complete control of the landing.
   
Common Errors
 
  • <>Pivoting forward off of the tapping foot resulting half revolution cheated single or multi revolution Toe-Loop.
  • <>A Toe Waltx or Toe Axel constitute a major error that frequently occurs when there is a lack of speed and the coordination of the tap and springing from both feet at the same time is not achieved.
  • <>Lack of coordination between the tap and achieving a strong thrust from the knee of the skating foot.
  • Poor body alignment on take off. The ankle of the skating foot may turn under causing the side of the boot to contact the ice and slide out from under the skater causing a fall.
  • Pre-rotation of the shoulders and arms prior to taking off.
  • Not jumping high enough to accomplish the full rotation in the air. A major loss of power occurs when the knee of the free leg lack an explosive thrust, never achieving fully extension.
  • Not checking the landing. If the arms are not checked, 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 may be extended very high after landing putting more weight on the toe pick and causing additional loss of speed.
  • Hooked landing, usually accompanied by quickly stepping forward, changing edge, and/or bending at waist.