How To Do A Loop Jump In Figure Skating (Joan Orvis)

Joan Orvis explains how she teaches the loop jump.  Joan begins with the same back outside edge she teaches in figures.  The starting position has the free foot in front, free hip in front, and free shoulder and hand in front.  On the loop jump, Joan wants the skater to start with the free foot slightly outside the circle made by the skating foot.  [Editor’s note:  Most top skaters start in either the position Joan recommends or one where the free foot is clearly inside the circle made by the skating foot.]

To initiate the jump, the skater should bend the knee and drop the skating ankle to put pressure on the edge.  Note that knee bend alone does not cause a deepening edge.  Joan makes it clear that the ankle must be involved to correctly generate the rotation of the loop jump from the edge on the ice.  So many skaters learning the loop jump have no control of their ankles so they resort to throwing their foot outside the circle or pre-rotating the shoulders.

The ankle pressure causes a hook with hip rotation and at that moment Joan wants the skater to cross their feet and “lock it” across.  This ensures the free foot remains inside the circle created by the take-off edge, helping keep the skater to the skating/landing side.  Note that Joan wants the ankle pressure to turn the hips which in turn begin the rotation of the shoulders.  The shoulders do not move independently of the hips.  As on all jumps, the skater must press through the toe pick to jump.

Joan says, “The free foot has to be locked in front when you jump.  If the free foot or hip is out to the side, the jump will be off-axis.”  Note that Joan demonstrates the free foot raising up but staying “locked” across during the explosive take-off movement.

Joan draws the desired tracing on the ice.  She says, “The hook takes me into the circle because I’m initiating rotation.  The jump goes out of the circle.  And then I’m going to land back on the circle again on that back outside edge.  The free foot is in front, free arm is in front, the head is on the landing side.”

One of the most overlooked aspects of the loop jump is the ankle pressure.  As Joan notes, “Ankle pressure doesn’t mean bending the knee.”  Most coaches teach it simply as getting on a back outside edge and bending the knee deeply.  This is simply an incomplete description and most skaters will benefit from understanding that the ankles are a critical aspect of rotation creation.

Joan describes the actual tracing including the pivot just before the take-off.  She calls it a “fish hook.”  She makes a final observation about how important it is to keep the free hip in front throughout the jump.
 

Please leave a comment below for Joan or for other members.

Add to “My Favorites” (Beta testing)