25 February, 2010

Jumps of Figure Skating

Axel- named for its originator Axel Paulsen, is an edge jump launched on the forward outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Because it has a forward takeoff but lands backwards, a single axel actually has 1.5 rotations.

Salchow  -  (pronounced "sal-kow"), named for its originator Ulrich Salchow, is an edge jump. It takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Salchows are most often preceded by a forward outside 3 turn, but a mohawk entrance is not unusual.
  
Loop -another edge jump, launched from the back outside edge and landing on the same back outside edge. It is also known in Europe as the Rittberger after its inventor, Werner Rittberger. Loops can be done as the second jump in a combination.
  
Lutz - named for its originator Alois Lutz, is a toe jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The lutz is a counter-rotated jump. Lutzes can often be identified by the long, backward diagonal glide preparation, though this is not necessary to do a lutz.
  
Toe Loop - a toe jump that takes off from the back outside edge and lands on the same back outside edge (in other words, a toe-pick assisted loop jump, although the mechanics of the two jumps are very different). This is sometimes known in Europe as a cherry flip. Double or triple toe loops are often seen as the second jump of a combination. As solo jumps, they are most commonly entered from a three turn.

Flip - a toe jump that takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. A flip is usually preceded by a forward outside 3 turn or forward inside mohawk.