Joan Orvis explains how she introduces the waltz jump. Notice the emphasis on the proper use of edges and ankle pressure. Right from the beginning, Joan draws the desired tracing on the ice for the skater to see. This picture will be surprising to many coaches. Joan makes a point of connecting the take-off edge and landing edge with a larger circle so the skater can see the overall flow of the jump.
Notice that Joan does not teach the jump as a completely forward take-off with the final take-off skate position pointed directly at the landing spot. Instead, the take-off edge has a “little hook” to it near the end. Ideally the skater will use ankle pressure to generate this little hook (rather than getting the hook to happen by letting the free arm and leg swing around). In addition, as the skater points the toe on take-off, there will be some additional rotation of the take-off skate so that the skater’s hips will have started into rotation before leaving the ice.
Joan says, “The one thing I make sure they feel is the pressure on the toe. They have to drop their ankle into the circle. They have to feel their toe pick. And then I pull them across.” Joan also makes sure the skater lands on a true back outside edge rather than the more common inside edge. By addressing this immediately, Joan quickly corrects this common problem.
As a way to get young skaters to feel comfortable pointing their toe and jumping off their toe at the moment of take-off, Joan has her skaters walk around on their toe picks. This is a great exercise and should be done with all skaters before they are ever asked to jump. Every jump takes off the toe pick!
Joan also has her skaters look down at the ice to make sure they are attempting to create the correct tracing on the ice and to develop body awareness. Eventually she removes this once they can do the edges properly.
Note Joan’s comments at 4:26 in the video. “Because I’m on an edge, I don’t need to rotate my shoulders or move my hips.” This is very important to avoid jumps that swing around. She also mentions that the free foot should NOT swing around. She also asks her skaters right from the beginning to control the take-off edge by pushing onto the edge and holding it without jumping. After they can control the edge, she asks them to add ankle pressure to create the hook, then put the free foot in front, and then just step over to the back edge, without ever leaving the ice.
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3 responses to “Waltz Jump Tips – Part 1 (Joan Orvis)”
AWESOME…Thank you for fabulous information. I will use it tomorrow with my skaters. I loved to drawing on the ice and walking on the toe picks.
Another nice video! Just a question — do you require your students to land the waltz with the free foot in front, and then going to the back? How is the mechanics different from landing with the free foot already behind?
It was very good, because it was detailed in a slow and comprehensible manner for skaters in elementary level. It seems Joan is aware of most of the mistakes and problems. I likes especially the ankle and leaning discussion, thank you.